Robert Stinnett : Nick Andre wrote:

>  > There is no central "one person" that does the entire Nodelist. This
> is part
>
> This is good, as I never think a process should be owned by one person.
> However, I'd much rather replace those x-number of persons who are doing
> this segment process with automation as well.

Fidonet could start by first embracing a new automated method of generating NL
entries, just as it has had no problem accepting new protocols following the
demise of dialup.


> Data validation is part of any good automation system.  Did I get the right
> data, in the right format and does it match certain rules?  If not,
> reject that data and keep on trucking.  The whole system shouldn't come
crashing
> down or end because some bad data got into it.

Yes, totally doable.   The Fidonet application process for potential members
ought to be accomplished with an online registration and automated validation
process.  No need for humans to intercede until a proper netmail exchange has
occurred.  When successful, the segment has already been built and only needs
final hub/node approval.


> ..I believe in the wisdom of crowds -- while every idea may not be
> adopted, good information can be gleemed from others who don't deal with
> it on a day to day basis.

Exactly. Sometimes we don't see the trees because of the forest.

Should this exciting topic be best in another echo?  I'm game.  I'd like to
ease-drop on the new wisdom.

> Kind of hard to send a netmail without having a number.  Pretty hard to
> get a number when the website that has the information was last updated 10
> years ago.

Catch-22, eh?  (Hey.. maybe the unizone # should be 22). ;)   Nah.. looks
funny, almost like two zone 2's.   LOL


> I believe that the future at this point is with the Othernets and
> perhaps even
> complete abandonment of FTN type networks in favor of new technology or a
> re-use of another technology already out there.  I'm not 100% convinced the
> technologies of FTN are really applicable in the modern BBS/forum world.

By "technologies of FTN" do you mean the collection of binkd, FTP, telnet, etc?
 Those seem pretty good modern improvements to me.

> ..I do believe there is at least some room for growth both in number of
> users/systems and technology.

Me too!


.../|ug

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