Hello Henri,

 LL>>> Since individuals outside of Zone 1 can become full-fledged
 LL>>> sysops without even having to acknowledge the existence of P4,

 HD> That's not true.

Echopol1 (EP1) is dated February 1, 1989.
Policy 4.07 (P4) is dated June 9, 1989.

 HD> When I became a fully fledged FidoNet SysOp I had to abide P4 and EP1.

Policy 4.07

 2.2  How to obtain a node number

 You must indicate that you have read, and agree to abide by,
 this docoument and all the current policies of FidoNet.

There is no such "loyalty oath" to be found anywhere in EP1.

P4 is only valid within Zone 1, having been rejected by the
rest of the world.

 HD> I was strongly told to be online always during ZMH, and not accepting
 HD> BBSusers during that hour.  So I configured my system that way.

As do sysops in every zone.

 HD> Even my SysOp Point 1 do not get its bulk EchoMail when polling at ZMH. 
ZMH
 HD> is there only for receiving crash Net mails, and nothing else.  Everyone
 HD> has 23 other hours to log in as a BBS user or get his Point EchoMail
 HD> bundles.

No zone other than Zone 1 has chosen P4 as its standard.
For example, Zone 2 refused to adopt P4, choosing to keep
EP1 as its standard.  And yes, the mail continued to run
on time.

 LL>>> then why is it that individuals residing within Zone 1 cannot
 LL>>> do the same?

 HD> The problem in Z1 is that even if someone does his configuration
 HD> thechnically perfect, (s)he only get a Node number if the NC/RC likes that
 HD> person.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference
and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through
any media and regardless of frontiers."
~ Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 HD> The proof of that was a European person who wanted a Z1 Node number for
his
 HD> long periods of staying when he was in the USA for very many months.  He
 HD> was socially banned by not getting a Z1 NodeNumner,
 HD> and not for technical reasons at all.  Only because he was a well kown
 HD> European with questions all the time.  There is no minimal time
restriction
 HD> for getting a Node number.  I.e. it does not matter if it is for one or
 HD> four months or even one week.

Censorship (in all its various forms) should be condemned by all
in FidoNet.  Not just sysops, by also by probationary sysops.

Those who use the written word to promote ideas have a common
belief that doing so builds bridges across all divides.  Denying
freedom of expression is an abhorrent act, one that should never
be tolerated.

 BM>> Did you forget EP1? I knew you would...

 HD> Did Lee even tried to get a Z1 Node number?
 HD> And if so, why was it not granted?

No person who is residing within a particular zone should
be forced to obtain a node number from within that zone.
He or she should be free to apply, and obtain, a node number
from the zone of his/her own choosing.

Also, no person should be forced to obtain a node number
from any zone in order to participate in FidoNet.

FidoNet has aways been open to sysops and probationary sysops
alike.  FidoNet should remain that way forever, thus showing
solidariy to the entire world that all members of FidoNet
community promote freedom of expression.

 BM>> Enjoy!
 BM>> Ward, give him a node #... :)

 HD> Is that a good idea?

Only for those who fully support freedom of expression.
Those who don't might regret it.  :)

 HD> If a European person moved to the USA does not get a Node number,
 HD> the other way round can also be a question.

Every individual, regardless of where they are geographically
located, should have the absolute right to obtain a node number
in the Zone of their choice.

If an individual chooses to join FidoNet, all he/she should have
to do is download the most current nodelist, find a net they want
to join, and send a netmail.  This leaves all tinhorn dictator
wannabes out of the loop, regardless of zone.

That way, every zone coordinator would be forced to "aim to please"
in order to keep and/or attract new members for that zone.  Failure
to do that would mean a diminishing number of sysops in that zone.

 HD> At the time of POTS a locality can be valid, because of telco costs,
 HD> but at the moment with IP it does not matter any more.

So, what's the hangup?

 HD> So everybody should get a Node number from any Zone (s)he wants.

Bingo!  I want to obtain a node number from Sicily.  They make
some mighty fine wine in those parts, and I want some.

 HD> Here we have an EchoMail Area for both sysop's and Points.
 HD> That works ok for all participants.

Where do I sign up?

 HD> Sysop's are not better folks than Points or BBS-users.

Sysops can be users, although I prefer to call them participants.

 HD> Every participant is worth to keep in this small FidoNet.
 HD> Indeed enjoy.

We should all be thankful for their company.  Even those
individuals (who will not be named) who try to flame others.

 HD> Many people write messages without greetings anymore, why is that?

They forgot how to say hello.

 HD> Not even a blank line and a senders name is written, lazy writers I think.

And taglines.
Nobody does taglines anymore.
Tweets, yes.
Taglines, no.

Anthony Bourdain, RIP

-Lee

-- 
Often Licked, Never Beaten

--- MesNews/1.08.05.00-gb