-=> Bj”rn Felten wrote to Dan Clough <=-

 DC> No. It's obscure and not even REMOTELY obvious to a newcomer that
 DC> they should look in there.

 BF>    On top of the results from Google (for me -- YMMV) is the old,
 BF> defunct fidonet.org site. Even there it's a link to the likewise
 BF> defunct fidonews.org site. Doesn't that make you curious if you
 BF> are really into Fidonet? What better place to get information
 BF> about something than a dedicated magazine?

No, it doesn't do that for me.  What it does is indicate to me 
that whoever is maintaining the organization (Fidonet) is doing a 
piss-poor job.  Dead links and defunct websites would probably 
make most potential new sysops say "screw this, it's unmaintained 
and not worth my time".  And if you, in response to that, would 
say something like "Oh well, their loss".... then *YOU* are one of 
the main reasons that Fidonet continues to decline.

 DC> Even then, if they did, is there any
 DC> useful information in the magazine that would help a new
 DC> prospective Sysop get a node number?

 BF>    Well, maybe you haven't read any recent (as in the latest 500
 BF> or so) issue properly? You can for instance try fidonews.eu from
 BF> where opens up a plethora of fidonet echoes to read before you
 BF> start asking advice about how to go Full Fidonet Node.

I've read all recent issues.  They are all exactly the same.  None 
of them contains *ANY* information on how to apply for a Fidonet 
node number.  Just for curiosity, I browsed to fidonews.eu, and 
was presented with a "Login first" page.  Most people won't do 
that.  Again, my whole point here is that the information needed 
by a prospective new Fidonet member should be *EASY* and *OBVIOUS* 
to obtain.  Jumping through hoops makes people not bother.

 BF>    But rather than complaining, why don't you write an article
 BF> about it yourself? Don't always expect other people to do things
 BF> for you...

I may do that, assuming I get some free time in the near future.  
We'll see.



... He does the work of 3 Men...Moe, Larry & Curly
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