

        Jim Ryan
        02 May 84
        MCI Mail : JRYAN

        Notes on the FidoNet System

             Tom Jennings has outlined, in his article dated 30 Apr 84, a 
        proposal  for  FidoNet-- a  communications network for  Fido  and 
        other message systems.

             I have some comments and suggestions for improvement of  the 
        FidoNet system.

        -----

             If  FidoNet were to use a structure similar to  DecNet,  the 
        networking  system for Digital computers,  a person could send  a 
        message using the syntax :

                            To : -F01 Tom Jennings

        meaning  "Send this message to FidoNet Node 1,  addressed to  Tom 
        Jennings". A message to all could be coded as :

                            To : -F01 All

        and a message going to all systems could be coded as :

                            To : -F All

             The originating Fido system could keep a log of all messages 
        in  all areas that are flagged to other FidoNet nodes,  and  send 
        them  with a record indicating there originating node,  and  area 
        description :

                            Message : 25
                            From    : -F01 Tom Jennings
                            To      : All
                            Subject : FidoNet List
                            (Area   : General )

        ----- 

             In  my opinion,  the major drawback to the FidoNet system is 
        the reliance on the SysOp to foot the bill for the long  distance 
        charges  to all the FidoNet nodes he needs to send mail to.  This 
        may make the system prohibitive to smaller users.

             An alternate idea would be to send the FidoNet mail  through 
        an  alternate  system  such as MCI Mail or  Compuserve.  In  this 
        manner each sysop would only be paying the charges of the various 
        host systems instead of the long distance charges to each FidoNet 
        node.


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             For example : If Tom (or some other willing volunteer) would 
        write a FidoNet mail system on Compuserve, a sample session might 
        run   like   this  (with  the  FidoNet  computer   handling   the 
        input/output) :

                            host : Welcome to Compuserve

                            User Id : XXXXX,XXX
                            Password : ____________

                            Compuserve Information Service
                            XX-XXX-XX at XX:XX:XX

                            FidoNet Host System
                            Login : FIDO-01
                            Pass  : XXXXXXX

                            Welcome FIDO-01
                            Checking for mail
                            Ready to send mail

                            (CIS sends mail to FidoNet node)

                            Ready to recieve mail

                            (FidoNet node sends mail to CIS)

                            Thank you for using FidoNet

                            (logoff)                    

             The  disadvantages of this system (especially on CIS or  the 
        Source) would be transmission speed. Unless you want to spend the 
        extra $12.00 per hour for 1200 baud service, your stuck with 300
        baud.

             But the advantages would be a central point for all FidoNet
        messages, and probably much greater efficiency.

        -----

             Well,  those are my comments. I think the idea of a national 
        BBS network is fabulous, but it's up to us to figure out the nit-
        picking details!!!!!

                                             Jim Ryan
                                             Delta MicroSystems, Inc.


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