-=> Quoting Rod Speed to Paul Edwards <=-

Hello Rod,

 PE>> Plan for new network
 PE>> --------------------
 
 RS> Whats the point ?  Why not just use the net and do something
 RS> about any deficiencys you think there are in using the net ?
 
 RS> Its fairly unlikely that something that popular has any major problems.
 
 PE> Hobbyists are unable to exchange mail for free using the internet,
 PE> they have to pay an ISP.  That's the whole point of fidonet.

 RS> While thats superficially true, its more complicated than that in
 RS> practice. 
 RS> Your ISP is actually costing you the SAME as that extra line which
 RS> is what most fido nodes end up with. So its no more free than the ISP.

 You can point or node off fido without paying your uplink.  You cannot get
any internet link for free unless you scam those x-free hours deals, and that
is not a permanent soloution anyway.

 Just because fido nodes are likely to get another line in doesn't always
come into the equation,  BBSs with internet access do the same, they have
the line, the extra calls AND the internet fees to pay.

 The point being, given equal footing, fido costs nothing extra, internet
does.

John Tserkezis, Sydney, Oz. Fidonet: 3:712/610  Internet: jt{at}suburbia.com.au

... If it ain't broke then you can sure as heck make it better.
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