-=> On 11-25-03  12:19,  George Pope <=-
 -=> spoke to All about Echo Hijacking <=-

 GP> That's all I can think to call it -- one of my echoes (MENS_ISSUES)
 GP> seems to have been linked up to an internet newsgroup, in such a way

   Is your echo being distributed in usenet?  Or is it simply being made
   available for reading in newsgroup format on a Fidonet BBS?

   The former is a gating issue -- usually against the rules of echos.
   If it is against the rules of yours, then you have an issue with the
   fidonet BBS that is distributing it to other sites in that format.
   You would need to show that you are able to see it from a non fidonet
   news server and can trace its entry into that distribution from the
   particular fidonet BBS.

   The second is not a gating issue -- but could be a format issue if
   you care to pursue it.   More and more internet accessible BBSes are
   making the echos available to their registered users in a newsgroup
   format.   I know of several where I can go to see the echo I help
   moderate.   While I personally prefer the more classical fidonet
   presentation, there are those who have no choice other than reading
   messages on fidonet BBSes that make the echos available via newsgroup
   format (or via HTTP format which can be read by programs such as
   MSIE or Netscape).

 GP> that even my regular postings are converted to Usenet format (ie.
 GP> "To:ALL") :|

   Actually Usenet format does not have a TO: field in its normal
   header.  The Fidonet BBSes I know of often have that information in a
   special header item someplace.  They also take care of getting
   replies entered into their BBS from users with newsgroup readers back
   into the more classical fidonet format with the intended TO: field
   filled in as the poster would have intended.  I think that doing that
   is a very important part of their software.

 GP> How? What? But? Why? :(

 GP> This seems a clear abuse of Fidonet, am I right?

   This is an extension of fidonet access to people who might not
   otherwise be able to join -- not an abuse (IMO).

                        dale (at) min (dot) net
                              (1:261/1466)

                  Co-Moderator, National Cooking Echo


... Shipwrecked on Hesperus in Columbia, Maryland. 23:24:19, 25 Nov 2003
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