On (01 Nov 02) Steven Horn wrote to Frank Vest...

Hello Steven,

 FV> "A network is a collection of nodes in a local geographic area,
 FV> usually defined by an area of convenient telephone calling.
 FV> Networks coordinate their mail activity to decrease cost."

 FV> Now, define "local", "usually" and
"convenient". "Local" could be
 FV> the entire Region in cases of IP Nodes. "Usually" means not always.
 FV> "Convenient"?? Well, how convenient is it for an IP node to call
 FV> any other Node in the Region? Maybe it isn't "convenient" for an IP
 FV> Node to call a POTS Node, but that is not an argument here. In this
 FV> definition of a Net, "convenient" is referring to connection
 FV> between Nodes in the Net, not in the Region or in Fidonet in
 FV> general.... AND, of course, that word "usually" that covers much of
 FV> the problem comes into play again. :-)

 SH> I would not go there.  There is no restriction on what can be done
 SH> with an ION node and I could create an ION Net with representation
 SH> from all regions and all zones.  IONs are not limited in any way to
 SH> areas of convenient telephone calling because they do not make POTS
 SH> connections.

 FV> Cost is not a factor either... just in case someone wants to nit
 FV> pick. :-))

 SH> Nor is distance or location.  Best you guys re-think this issue.

No issue involved in my opinion. Nodes are contained in Nets. Nets are
contained in Regions. Regions are contained in Zones. Ergo, A Net can
encompass an entire Region. A Region can encompass an entire Zone. A
Net CAN NOT encompass a Zone. A Region CAN NOT encompass more than one
Zone.

If one substitutes "convenient telephone calling" with "convenient
connection", there is no problem.

Perhaps this is what is needed in P4 to help with ION problems?

Of course, it really doesn't matter. Some people will find something
to argue about no matter what.


Regards,

Frank

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/flv
http://biseonline.com/r19

--- PPoint 3.01