Text 36092, 162 rader
Skriven 2016-09-01 22:34:32 av Lee Lofaso (2:203/2)
  Kommentar till text 36088 av Mary Nell Crowe (1:2320/100)
Ärende: A word from a long term Fidonet User
============================================
Hello Mary,

 LL>> The FN_SYSOP echo is a general chat echo, and is open to all.
 LL>> The FIDO_SYSOP echo is a general chat echo, and is open to all.
 LL>> That means both sysops and non-sysops have read/write access.
 LL>> Despite what you and a small handful others might want to say.

 MNC> By your logic and definition every echo should be a general chat echo and
 MNC> chaos should reign.

"... each sysop runs their system in any way they please, for any
reason they want." ~Tom Jennings, founder of FidoNet

Jennings' statement is very clear and to the point.

 MNC> Lee, that is not the course,

That is *exactly* the course.  As charted by Jennings himself.

 MNC> I have been a fidonet user off and on in many cities.

"FidoNet is totally supported by it's users and sysops" ~Tom Jennings

What happens if sysops decide to do away with users?  It would
wither and die.  Like a body deprived of its own blood.

 MNC> We once had the BlinkTalk echo for unsighted (I prefer blind but in these
 MNC> days were political correctness has become insane
 MNC> BLIND is no longer PC and unsighted is the word of the moment.)

Tom Jennings is gay.  How is that important or relevant to the
discussion?  In the same way as your statement about being blind.
It has absolutely nothing to do with the price of rice in China.

 MNC> Echos have been topical and have stayed on topic not because of the
sysops,
 MNC> not because of the moderators but because of the users who respected one
 MNC> another enough to keep things on topic.

An echo with no participants is not an echo.  What you seem
to be forgetting is the purpose of FidoNet.  Not just what an
echo is or is not.

"Very simple; it is a hobby, a non-commercial network of computer
hobbiests (`hackers', in the older, original meaning) who want to
play with, and find uses for, packet switch networking.  It is not
a commercial venture in any way; FidoNet is totally supported by
it's users and sysops, and in many ways is similar to ham radio,
in that other than a few `stiff' rules, each sysop runs their
system in any way they please, for any reason they want."
~Tom Jennings, founder of FidoNet, FidoHist.txt 7/14/1985

Go ahead.  Look up the entire file.  It is quite easy to find.

 MNC> I've been reading and catching up, I came here because I thought it would
 MNC> help me figure out what has become of fidonet and why it is not popular
 MNC> anymore?

Oh, FidoNet remains very popular.  In Russia and Ukraine.  But
you might have to learn a different alphabet if you want to play.

 MNC> It once was a great repository of messages from intelligent people who
came
 MNC> her to share.  Now it seems to be dominated by a few who seem to be more
 MNC> interested in pushing their agenda and motives.

Oh, come now.  Everybody has an agenda.  However, the difference
between me and them is that my agenda is not a hidden agenda.

 MNC> I have read where you say that you hate the term user... as an English
 MNC> professor "User" has many applications and your logic is flawed about
being
 MNC> a probationary sysop.

We are all probationary sysops.  Until we become full-fledged sysops.
See how that works?

 MNC> I am a "User" of electricity... that does not make me a probationary
 MNC> electrician.

I am not a druggie or an alcoholic.  Therefore, I am not a "user".

 MNC> I am a "User" of many medicines... that does not make me a probationary
 MNC> pharmacist.

Donald Trump is the apprentice.  And he will always be the apprentice
unless the American people choose to hire him as their president.

 MNC> I am a "User" of the internet that goes over fiber optic lines... that
does
 MNC> not make me a probationary fiber optic engineer.

All lurkers and participants are probationary sysops, as they
are free to choose to become full-fledge sysops if and when they
want.  It makes no difference what their occupation is, or might
be.  Or even if they have an occupation at all.

 MNC> I "Use" the toilet several times a day... that dos not make me a
 MNC> probationary plumber.

Not everybody uses the toilet.  And among those who do, not all
choose to use toilet paper when they are finished.  In fact, some
people much prefer to use their hands ...

 MNC> I am a "User" of many things... you are a "User" of someone's BBS
 MNC> System/server out there that no more makes you a probationary sysop than
it
 MNC> makes me a probationary any of the above.

Everybody has the potential to become a sysop.  But becoming a
sysop is a choice.  A free choice.  Not something that anybody is,
or should be, compelled to do.

"FidoNet is totally supported by it's users and sysops" ~Tom Jennings

You cannot have one without the other if FidoNet is to survive.
Both are necessary.

 MNC> What I do see is the same behavior in some of my ADHD students who are
told
 MNC> "NO" to something they can not have... but in all honesty after reading
six
 MNC> mohtns of your postings I think my students can throw better tantrums
than
 MNC> you.

A good teacher learns patience.  Poor teachers never learn.

 MNC> I am not a sysop on fidonet...

That is a choice.  A free choice.  There should be no compulstion
in FidoNet.  And that includes forcing individuals to become sysops
in order to play.

 MNC> I am a meek and mild user of the network nothing more.

Jesus was a hellraiser and told the powers-that-be exactly
where to go.  You should do the same as she did, and show some
ititiative of your own.

 MNC> I have no desire to use the FN_SYSOP echo, nor do I have any
 MNC> expectation of access to it.

It is just a general chat echo, with no moderator.  The last one
got tired of it all after 14 years as toastmaster and walked away.
You are welcome to participate, if that is your wish.  Just ask
Allen to add it to his board.  I am sure he will be happy to
oblige.

 MNC> There are plenty of echos for you to chat in...
 MNC> why don't you take advantage of it.

Oh, I do.  I do.  :)

 MNC> Just My opinion.

Opinions are like snowflakes.  Everybody has one.

--Lee

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