BBS's

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Fri Nov 17 02:05:21 2000

----- Original Message -----
From: "Seth" <sethm_at_loomcom.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: BBS's


> My mind drifted to Tymnet primarily because they're no cost to the
> caller -- their cost is only to the parties who talk to Tymnet's X.25
> network, the people you dial up to. In the Olden Days, you could
> call Tymnet to get access to your AOL or Delphi account. In fact I
> can still dial up Tymnet all I want for free -- I just have nowhere
> to connect after that!

Sounds a bit like AUSPAC. Shudder.

> > Make a VPN, virtual private network, then concentrate on front end
and back
> > end tools to make it fun.

Yes, concur.

> No no no... it just doesn't feel right. There's something missing.
> I mean, why not just have a bunch of hosts all connected to the
> public Internet? Boooring! That's so 1995! We're talking 1982 here.

If you just want a dialup thingy for those in your area, probably ok, if
you have
people close enough not to mind the 30c per local call. But if you want
this to be
a more widespread experience, (and I think that's essential if you want
the diversity)
then some gatewaying via the low cost internet 'wormhole' is in order.
FWIW, Ham Radio has done something like that for years, they have
specific stations that
have Packet to Internet gateways (called, hey, hey, wormholes) that do
pretty much what
I have in mind.

> I'm not opposed _a priori_ to the idea of a RetroNET<->Internet
> gateway, though, something to allow email to be exchanged between
> the two. But really, the idea is "If you don't have a RetroNET node
> near you, either (1) Become a RetroNET node and exchange UUCP with
> other RetroNET nodes at 2:00 AM local time, or (2) Call long distance
> to log in, or (3) Convince someone local to you to be a RetroNET
node."

You forgot to add "In the continental United States". I couldn't do it
that way from here.

> I mean, it's just all in fun. It's not like we'd be denying people
> their rights if they couldn't afford the long distance charges.
Tough.

Even tougher if they can't afford the transoceanic ones? ;^)

> I suppose we _could_ have one bastion host be a RetroNET<->Internet
> gateway that offers public telnet accounts.

One or two would be all that's necessary to allow a more widespread
enjoyment of 'classic networking'
(for want of a better description).

> But... but... UUCP is
> half the fun!!

Perhaps, but not across the ocean at 2400 baud.

Cheers

Geoff Roberts
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Mark's College
Port Pirie,
South Australia
geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
ICQ: 1970476
Received on Fri Nov 17 2000 - 02:05:21 GMT