Hello Vladimir.

15 May 06 11:56, you wrote to me:

 MV>> The gating into the InterNet has made what once was an asset: use
 MV>> of real names only, into a liability.

 VD> Yes, but un-anonymous at FIDO (one address for all) is make it easy.

Makes what easy?

 VD> But let think about it only criminals.

The argument that only criminals need anonimity has been used through all
times by people who would like to have control over others and it has been
debunked just as many times.

 MV>> Learn from the experience of others. In the past users wehere
 MV>> limited to a few points to connect to the network. Long distance
 MV>> calling cost prevented them from seeking a link far away from
 MV>> home. This is no longer so where InterNet is widely available and
 MV>> so it is difficult if not impossible to permanently cut off a
 MV>> user. In a few years the situation at your end wil be like that
 MV>> too.

 VD> For nodes - may be, but for points - hardly.

For points and users it is even easier. They are not bound by policy, they
can simply find another boss or another BBS. They can even assume a new
name. No way to check that. There is always a way for the sufficiently
determined.

 MV>> Trust me, the big advantage of Fidonet: moderation is at an end.

 VD> It is not follow by this!

It is the reality of 21th century FidoNet. Maybe you haven't quite kept up
yet, but that is just a matter of time.

 VD>>>>> Second advantage FIDONET is basic absence of any
necessity for
 VD>>>>> continuous connection of the user to the Network:

 MV>>>> Yes, that is how it was designed. But with a continues
 MV>>>> connection, it works a lot better...

 VD>>> Yes, but this is not necessary.

 MV>> It is not necesary for usenet either. So it is not an advantage
 MV>> specific for FidoNet.

 VD> In INTERNET more peoples using Web-browsers not usenet.

Usenet is the IneterNet equivalent of FidoNet echomail. Indeed more people
use web browsers than newsnet readers for usenet. That should make you
wonder why. Could it perhaps be that most people are not really that much
interested in what we claim is the main asset of FidoNet?

 VD>  For this permanent connection is necessary.

No, you don't.

BTW, it is a myth that only FidoNet allows moderation. On the contrary. It
is very easy to set up a closed newsgroup only accessible to users
registred with a username and password. Just set up a private news server.
He who controls the server, controls the access, so contrary to the
distributed anarchy in FidoNet, this system allows *enforceble* moderation.

The computer club that (HCC) that was instrumenTal in setting up FidoNet in
The Netherlands (net 500) and that used Fidonet for a means of
communication between their members, abandoNed FidoNet in - I think - 2001
and created a number of newsgroups using nntp technology. They are closed,
you need a user name and password - real names are required and they are
moderated. Fidonet style. And it *is* enforced.

 MV>>>> Again: that is how it *was*....

 VD>>> I see this now, so - _is_.

That is because you do not look beyond your limited horizon. Try to look a
bit further. And listen to those ahead of you.

 MV>> On your side, maybe it still _is_. In a few years that too will
 MV>> be history.

 VD> May be, but we is living now.

You have to plan for the future...

Michiel

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