This directory contains IBM PC Compatible software for use on FidoNet, 
a public, non-integrated network of Bulletin Board Systems worldwide.

     This network spans over 30 countries in North & South America, all 
parts of the pacific rim including the Orient, Australia, and New Zealand, 
Western and parts of eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

     The Service provided is primarily message handling.  Protocols are 
defined within the network to provide a limited amount of file transfer over 
the network topology.  Users, however, are often free to connect to a 
particular node on this system directly by dial-up telephone lines to 
perform any file transfer desired.

     Private "NetMail" exits as well as open "party-line" type message areas 
spanning hundreds of topics called "EchoMail."  It is very similiar to 
newsgroups or usergroups on other networks, except the overall etiquette is 
somewhat different since access is open to anyone of the general public with 
suitable computer and modem equipment.

     Active gateways currently exist between INTERNET, USENET, BITNET and 
other more integrated networks for NetMail.  There are also many EchoMail 
conferences currently cross-link with newsgroups/usergroups of INTERNET and 
USENET.

     The network comprises of a uniquely defined topology (simliar to a 
USENET map), which is updated weekly.  This topology definition is called a 
"NodeList."  There are several layers to the physical topology definition.  
The world is divided into "Zones."  A Zone often spans a continent.  A Zone 
is further divided into "Regions."  In North America (Zone 1), a Region 
often spans several U.S. states or Canadian provinces.  In Europe (Zone 2), 
a Region often identifies one country.  Further, a Region is divided into 
"Nets."  A net is comprises a particular local population or metropolitan 
area. Within a net, are individual Bulletin Board systems called "nodes."
A node is comprised of a collection of individual users, who access the node 
via dial-up lines.  This physical topology is often referred to a "matrix."  
A node is uniquely identified by it's "matrix address".  A particular person 
is typically addressed by both their name and the matrix address of the 
system they locally use, similar to methods used on INTERNET.  More 
recently, a node has been further divided into a "point," which merely 
provides a unique matrix Address to one person who has installed the Fido 
compatible network driver software on their own computer.  The general form 
of a mail address is FirstName LastName@Zone:Net/Node.Point .  The name, 
Net, and Node are mandatory.  The Zone number is required only for 
addressing outside of one's zone. The Point designator is required only for 
someone not using their own network drivers.

     Access to FidoNet may be obtained by any public Bulletin Board System 
available in most locations.  A copy of the Nodelist may have been placed in 
the same ftp directory of this file listing nodes in your area.  There are 
two methods of connection to the network.  First, by a manual dial-up to a 
BBS system.  Second, there also exists software which permits automatic 
access to a node which handles the logon/logoff procedure as well as the 
message/file packet transfer process.  In addition to simplfied BBS access, 
this carries an added advantage of minimum telephone on-line time.

     The software used for the network interface is often used to SUPPLEMENT 
the existing software for a BBS system.  There do exist, however, software 
packages which serve as both the function of a BBS and a FidoNet capable 
interface (often called a "mailer").  Further explanation and introduction 
to software is contained in POINT.TXT along with a brief explanation for 
installation as a point system.

Brian Crawford
13 August 1990

FidoNet:  1:114/15.12
INTERNET:  crawford@enuxha.eas.asu.edu