WELCOME to FidoNet




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Topics covered in this document:

1.	Welcome to FidoNet
2.      Do I have to run a Mailer on a POTS phone line to qualify for
        membership?
3.	What's Available in FidoNet
4.	How To Join Fidonet (Step-by-Step)
5.	FidoNet Application
6.	How Do I ...?
7.	Contact Info
8.	Files in this Archive
9.      I'm not from the Kentuck/Indiana Area, Can I get a node number here?


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1.  Welcome to FidoNet



2.  Do I have to run a Mailer on a POTS phone line to qualify for
    membership?

   No you don't <smile>  You can run your mailer as an internet only node
   (ION).  Remember though that if you do this, local callers will not be
   able to access your system.  Because of this, you may decide to run both
   an internet accessable system (with telnet) and a POTS available bbs system
   like I do, or you may decide to only run a POTS mailer/bbs.

3.  What are the requirements for membership in FidoNet?

   To join Fidonet you must get a working mailer running on your system.  In
   net 2320, this may be on a POTS line with a modem, or by using any one of
   several Internet technology mailers (Binkd, Binkp, telnet, etc.).
   While ftp transfers are also available for downloading your traffic
   it is important that you also have a front-end mailer to your bbs running
   on your system

2.  What's Available in Net 2320:

   Net 2320 offers free access to all file echos and message echos at this
   point, and has done so for the last 5 years.  Should a need arise at some
   point to implement a cost-sharing fund to pay for EchoMail and/or
   FileEchos, each node in net 2320 will be contacted and a fair price will
   be decided by all of our nodes who pick up mail here. With new modem
   technologies developing which use Internet protocols, the cost of
   importing and exporting FidoNet mail has dwindled significantly compared
   to the early years of FidoNet when dial up lines (and long distance at
   that) were the only way to move echomail and file echos.  I don't expect
   this to change <smile>.

   Any echo message conference that you see listed in the tag list
   (backbone.z1b) included in this archive is available from my system.

   Any file echo area that you see listed in the file echo tag list
   (filebone.n*) is also available.

   Newsgroups are available on request from my system, but this service may
   be interrupted occaisonally due to the nature of the internet.  Under no
   circumstances will binary newsgroups be made available however, nor will
   mailing lists.

   All echomail and file echo traffic is picked up by your system by polling my
   system at 1:2320/38 (502-245-6778), or 1:2320/100 (telnet mailer).  Your
   polls may occur as often as you like, any time you like.

   You will be expected to poll my system at least once a day to pick up
   your traffic if you decide to pick it up here, though you don't need to
   it up here.  There are several other free HUBs who offer Fidonet files
   and message echos, and there is no problem with you picking up your
   traffic elsewhere once you have a fidonet node number.

   Should your system be down for any length of time which would keep you
   from receiving netmail from other FidoNet systems, or picking up your
   traffic which is on hold for you on my system, you should contact me as
   soon as possible.


4.  How To Join Fidonet (Step-by-Step) 

   Set up your BBS and FidoNet-compliant mailer software with the
   Nodelist.??? file included in this archive.  Make sure it operates
   correctly, to the best of your knowledge.  You can use the temporary
   node number of 1:2320/999 when you are setting up your mailer.

4.1.  Read Policy4.txt
   Included in the WELCOME.ZIP is an important document which you should
   read and understand.  This policy document is one which you will be
   expected to honor by other fidonet sysops.  
 
4.2. Fill out the enclosed APP.TXT (see below this section).

4.3. Set your system up with the temporary node number 1:2320/999 in your
   Fidonet compatible mailer.

4.4. Send me your application.
   You can send it to:

     Dialup (POTS) 1:2320/0 (502-245-6778)
     telnet mailer 1:2320/100 (filegate.net, ip address 64.34.85.9)
     binkp mailer  1:2320/100 (filegate.net, ip address 64.34.85.9)

   requesting a node number with APP.TXT either as a file attachment or
   included in the body of your netmail message.  The request *MUST* come in
   as a Netmail message from your MAILER whether it is a POTS mailer, or
   an Internet mailer.  This lets me know that your system is capable of
   exchanging mail -- which is a basic requirement for membership. 
   Do NOT request a node number in a LOCAL message on my system, it will 
   only delay the process, and may even be ignored.

4.5. Be patient. It may take up to a week for your request to be
   fully processed and appear in the Nodelist. Remember that I may not
   be able to contact you at all until your address becomes official.

4.6.  Once I have your information and have verified it, I will send in your 
    application to the Region 11 Network Coordinator (Gary Gilmore,
    1:11/0). Once your nodenumber appears in the FidoNet Nodelist, I will
    contact you via netmail to set up your system with any file echos
    and/or message conferences you desire.
    
4.7.  Once you are in net 2320, I will deliver the current nodediff to your
    system (nodediff.a??) and the current FidoNews.  The nodediff is to
    applied to your nodelist each week, since it is very important that
    you do not attempt to call a node who's phone number has changed, etc.
    FidoNews is the FidoNet newsletter, written by members of FidoNet.




5.      FidoNet Application

   Please cut this document where indicated and include only this portion
   of this document:

================cut here====================================================
To Network Coordinator, 1:2320/0

I have read and understand Policy4.txt and would like to apply for a FidoNet
nodenumber.

FidoNet Application:

Your NAME (real name, no handles):________________________________________

The name of your BBS:_____________________________________________________ 

Your VOICE phone number (including Area code)_____________________________

City and State____________________________________________________________

BBS package your are running:_____________________________________________

FidoNet Compatible mailer you are running:________________________________

Modem (Brand and Model):__________________________________________________


*Addional info* 
Only necessary if you would like to be listed as an internet node, either 
as an INTERNET ONLY node, or as a Dialup _and_ INTERNET ONLY node,
_and_ you allow access to your site in this manner:

Your IP address, Host name for internet access:___________________________
(such as username.isp.net or ip address if no host name is used)

Mark protcols that apply with X:

BINKD/BINKP   ___

FTP           ___

TRANSX        ___

TELNET        ___

TRANSX (EMAIL)___
  Transx mailbox: ______________________________________

Your regular e-mail address: ___________________________


Comments:_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Send this application via NETMAIL file attach or in the body of a NETMAIL
message to Janis Kracht, 1:2320/0 (502-245-6778), or via internet mailer
(telnet, or binkd to filegate.net 1:2320/100)

================cut here====================================================




6.  How Do I ...?

   
   As you set up your FidoNet BBS and Mailer, I am sure you will have plenty
   
   of questions.. Typically the local SysOps in your area will be happy to
   
   help you.  You can contact me with any questions you may have at any time
   
   as well, once you begin the application process... if I can help you, I
   
   will be happy to do so.

   
   FYI, I have run BinkleyTerm Mailer under DOS and OS/2, FrontDoor Mailer
   under DOS, BBBS Mailer for Linux, and others so I should have no
   problem helping you if you run into problems.




7.  Contact info:

You can reach me at <<Prism bbs (502-245-6778) anytime, and leave me a
Comment to the SysOp.

You can send a netmail to my system at 1:2320/38 or 1:2320/0, since my
system accepts mail from FidoNet nodelist SysOps as well as non-listed
SysOps.

E-Mail: janis@filegate.net

http://www.filegate.net/  
telnet: filegate.net
web-based bbs: http://www.filegate.net:8080/ 




8.  Files in this Archive
WELCOME.TXT             This document.
NODELIST.???            A recent Nodelist for FidoNet.  Once you are in
                        the nodelist, I will send you the most current issue.
BACKBONE.Z1B            The list of echomail conferences'
                        TAGNAMES/descriptions on the Z1B
                        Backbone
FILEBONE.NA             The list of file echo areas on the North American
                        Filebone.
FILEBONE.NO             The list of file echo areas  NOT carried by the
                        Filebone but generally available.
FILEBONE.NAL            The list of file echo areas on the North American
                        Filebone with long tag names (over 8 chars.).
POLICY4.TXT             FidoNet policy




9. I'm not from the Kentucky/Indiana Area, Can I get a node number here?

If you fill out the application in #5, above and send it to me, I will be
happy to forward your application to the proper coordinator, and I will let
you know that I have done so :)  Once the coordinator receives your
application, he or she will no doubt contact with you asap :)