Hello David,

 DD>>> His ideas did not survive mass exposure.

 LL>> Tom Jennings has survived for decades without ever having a job.

 DD> But his association with Fidonet ceased.

Only as the entity known as Tom Jennings, as he could have resurrected
himself as some other entity.

 LL>> Fidonet has survived for decades without ever having others telling
 LL>> sysops (and participants) what to do.

 DD> If we do NOT adhere to the technical specs our systems do not connect to
 DD> each other.

Technical specs, according to the NC who assigns the node number.
Not by any particular document, especially one that is void.

 O>>>> What would happen if we dumped P4 and got rid of the *Cs?

 DD>>> Who will allocate the node numbers and manage the net segs? What common
 DD> tech
 DD>>> specs will they use?

 LL>> Ask your NC.

 DD> Wasn't Oli's plan to dump him?

The individual who is applying for a node number gets to determine
which NC he/she wishes to send a netmail to.  That is the way it works,
or is supposed to work.

 O>>>> Are there any documents of the policies before 4.07?

 LL>> Of course.

 O>>>> I joined Fidonet in 1993.

 LL>> Thanks to the NC who provided Oli with a node number.

 DD> After Oli fulfilled enough of the procedures required of him

By the NC.

 O>>>> At that time P4 was already in place.

 LL>> P4 is void, and has no standing.  Individuals were never dependent
 LL>> on P4 to be able to obtain a node number before or after P4.

 DD> Node numbers were assigned under some other agreed procedure in those
days.

The NC informs the applicant what is needed.  That is all the
applicant needs to know.  That's it.  Nothing else matters.

 DD> If people do not agree to meet on some common ground then communication
 DD> doesn't take place.

If an NC is not competent to know what technical specs are required
to make things work, then guess what happens?  If not enough fuel is
loaded onto a rocketship, that rocketship will never even make it to
orbit.  Maybe not even get off the launch pad.

 DD>>> It was in place when I joined in the mid/late 80s.

 LL>> P4 was not even written until 1989.  Furthermore, it has never been
 LL>> "in place" since it was void from the beginning.

 DD> Then it must have been an earlier version. I obtained a document which
laid
 DD> out the procedure for obtaining a node number. I performed that procedure
 DD> and I received a node number.

It is not about any document.  It is about technical specs, with
the NC informing an applicant what is needed to obtain a node number.
Once an applicant fills in the blanks and sends/receives the netmail,
all is done.

 LL>> Got anything else to make up?

 DD> I do not claim that my memory of minor things that happened 30-something
 DD> years ago to be perfect in the smallest detail.

Unlike a bass player in my band from long ago who has a photographic
memory, I would not any sysop to be such an evil genius.

 DD> I have a node number - do you?

I'm getting there.  Just taking me a bit of time.  Only have one
paddle in my pirogue.  But not to worry.  I'll get there.

 DD> We've told you how to obtain one but you keep bitching about the
legalities
 DD> of the procedure.

There are no legalities to worry about asking a NC what is needed
to obtain a node number.

 DD> Until you agree to some procedure common to you and the person you're
 DD> applying to very little progress to you node being listed is likely.

Find an NC.  Ask the NC for information how to obtain a node
number.  Once the NC informs me of all information needed, then
follow the bouncing ball.

--Lee

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