AWL> Ummm.... Netmail is the only kind of mail.

RS> Bullshit, thats just semantic hair splitting. Yes, netmail 
RS> is how things started, yes, the world moved on to echomail 
RS> TOO, no, that does not mean that the only kind of mail is 
RS> netmail. We now have TWO forms of mail, netmail and 
RS> echomail.

We have too ways of looking at netmailed messages, normal NetMail and EchoMail.

AWL> the "AREA:" kludge was added to allow the tossing of mail 
AWL> to echo conferences and through feeds.

RS> Or more validly, the addition of AREA allowed echomail. 
RS> There is a lot more difference between echomail and netmail 
RS> than just the AREA kludge. The whole of the routing 
RS> fundamentals are completely different.

Not so, EchoMail predates the AREA kludge (or so I'm lead to believe. Also
what is different about the routing of EchoMail? (In a technical sense).

AWL> If the user enters "AREA:" as his/her first line, and
AWL> the software doesn't fix it, then too bad for the user.

RS> Typical fucked abortion so common in amateur designed 
RS> protocols.

There are some similar hairies in usenet and the M$ thing (according to my
comms guru).

RS> The real world is about robust protocols which atleast 
RS> allow decent protocol checking and dont assume 'that things 
RS> are going to be done right or who case, it can spray the 
RS> world with shrapnel for all I care'

AWL> Of course the software *should* fix it...

RS> Of course robust protocols would be nice too.

The software forms part of the protocol, stop playing silly games boy!
...Alex.
(Pagan & Proud)

---