Text 22057, 73 rader
Skriven 2015-03-27 22:52:10 av Paul Hayton (3:770/100)
Ärende: Re: Fidonews.us
=======================
On 03/25/15, Janis Kracht pondered and said...
 
 JK> You can now read fidonews online or download it at fidonews.us.  I just
 JK> created the domain fidonews.us and linked it to fidonews.ca.

Interesting. It makes me want to ask the group gathered on this echoarea
about their thoughts on how Fidonet is viewed by the general public? Consider
what happens when someone searches for Fidonet using Google etc. and are
presented with an assortment of websites containing a mix of info about
Fidonet, links that work, others that do not etc.

I think there is an opportunity for us all to work together to update the
information and links on fidonet websites we are involved.

We do the general promotion of Fidonet no favours nor help grow interest and
potential new members by running websites with dated information, broken
links etc.

If there are those of you here that run a website with fidonet content on it,
I would like to work with you to see if we can't collectively tidy things up
a bit and present information that is current and unified in it's message.

Consider fidonet.org it's general info page says

"FidoNet consists of approximately 10,000 systems world-wide which comprise a 
network which exchanges mail and files via Modems" it also goes on to say 

"With some exceptions, you cannot Telnet or FTP to a FidoNet site, 
only communicate via E-Mail and Usenet News"

I question is that really accurate in 2015? What else can we perhaps say on
this page (and many other website pages like this example) to let viewers know
that Fidonet is still alive and kicking and 'open for business' if they want
to try it out.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to run down fidonet.org. My hunch was it
was the main go-to website in it's day. I only use it as one example among
many I have come across when out looking about online for what info you can
find out about fidonet in 2015 .

Another example ... heading to fidonews.org I can't find a current copy of
'the snooze' but instead find a number of links that do not work and a
commentary that says

"FidoNet's system became much too expensive and inconvenient for the average
user" and "experts predict it will still be several years until the platform
is completely disbanded."

This is not the stuff of 'come and try me' it screams 'stay away' do we really
want these kinds of messages online?

Or how about the link on this website that offers the answer to 'Fido still
revelant' (yep it's badly spelt)... this link heads you to something that has
nothing to do with the fidonet you and I are connected to and reading this
post on.

I'm aware there are people who have set things up in HTML and then left and I
can only guess how many websites I have come across that fall into that
category. But if you do have some control over what's on your Fidonet webpage
can we please rally our resources, have a conversation about what would be
good to present about Fidonet in 2015, and work together to update a web pages
with the links and info that can help new and former sysops connect or
re-connect with our network.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Best, Paul

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