MM> What are the thoughts of others for the future of this echo? Should
 MM> we throw it open to all to read and thus try and conduct any business
 MM> in the spotlight or should we keep it private?

Here my considerations: I don't agree these messages in ZCC are subject
to any privacy restrictions. IMO we must show as much transparency as
possible in any coordination activities, even to dissipate distrust
some people arise about the ZCC for example.

BTW, I see in my stats not 6 but 8 systems linked here. Maybe more? :)

Manytimes messages here were used and forwarded to justify decisions
or arguments by some here, sometimes the same with netmails. What is
different now? There's no need to spread it in echo backbones, just
keep it readable in our BBSs seems enough to demolish most accusations
of this group being secret, a conspiracy, illegitimate or something
like that. And to the nodes in each of our zones verify by themselves
and not by our interpretations if we're working as they expect and if
what's said is coherent or contradictory.

Sounds incomprehensible to me that some reserve on privacy can be
considered a requisite to be candid while dealing with coordination
activities or decisions.

And seems the experience was not so bad, as shown by those sysops who
did comment (look to the fidonews "2nd part" msg), but very positive.
Some have a good impression from Malcolm, another mininized his bad
impressions from Ward, all them happy with the possibility of see
unfiltered information.

And what P4 says about a similar case:

--------------------------------8<-----------------------------------
2.1.6.2  Private mail addressed to you

The issue of private mail which is addressed to you is more difficult
than the in-transit question treated in the previous section. A common
legal opinion holds that when you receive a message it becomes your
property and you have a legal right to do with it what you wish. Your
legal right does not excuse you from annoying others.

In general, sensitive material should not be sent using FidoNet.
This ideal is often compromised, as FidoNet is our primary mode of
communication. In general, if the sender of a message specifically
requests in the text of the message that the contents be kept
confidential, release of the message into a public forum may be
considered annoying.

There are exceptions. If someone is saying one thing in public and
saying the opposite in private mail, the recipient of the private
mail should not be subjected to harassment simply because the sender
requests that the message not be released. Judgement and common
sense should be used in this area as in all other aspects of FidoNet
behavior.
--------------------------------8<-----------------------------------

[]s

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