Hi Michael,

>> Or he could always dial up his isp, get connected to the internet and
>> contact you _directly_ via binkp.. and disconnect from his isp when
>> he's done.  I used the internet in that manner for quite a while
>> before I got a domain set up for 24/7 internet activity.

>> I think there's just no excuse for making an internet node Pvt when he
>> or she is online and reachabe 24/7 just like a pots node.

>Thank you for seeing reason on this, Janis. It's good to know that at least ou
> ZC recognizes the need to treat all nodes in this network equally; and maybe
>that's got something to do with why Zone 1 is finally growing again while Zone
> 2 continues to shrink.

I'm not sure where the logic comes from that has the problem.. I look at
the internet nodes as using different protocols, just as if they had some
state-of-the-art modem that didn't use telephone lines.  YES, they are
reachable 24/7 if they have a static domain, and YES, just like connecting
two modems, you have to match somewhere in the modem protocols.. or else
you end up with the kinds of problems I remember when I tried to connect to
 a Zycell modem with my Courier (no can do ).  Did we force the
Zycell modems to be listed as Pvt? Of course we didn't.. same with internet
nodes.. Anyone can connect to an internet node if they have an internet
account.

>I've given up on the FTSC ever "seeing the light" on this
issue. If you look a
> some of the comments I'm getting while trying to get this point across in the
>FTSC_PUBLIC echo, there doesn't seem much hope for moving forward with the FTS
> as our guide. I could be wrong, and I hope I am; but the old prejudices and
> stubborn attitudes to not change the way ION's are treated seem to be deeply
> rooted in those who are pursuing FTSC membership.

Well, you never know.  I see a number of the candidates are ION (at least I
think there are some) :)

> Did you see my Fidonews article proposing a "Fidonet
Society"? I'm going to
>create a web site and try my best to promote the idea, and see if it grows. It
> may start out as a small thing, but eventually it may do some real good in
>helping to move Fidonet in a forward direction. Membership will be open to any
> *C, any mail hub, and any developer, past or present, of Fidonet software.

No, I didn't read the snooze this week but I will.  The idea is a good
one.. When you get people together brainstorming, often you'll come up with
good ideas....

Take care,
Janis

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