Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!mcgill-vision!snorkelwacker!usc!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!asylum!sharon
From: sharon@asylum.SF.CA.US (Sharon Fisher)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Internet, Bitnet, BIX, UUCP, etc...
Message-ID: <12729@asylum.SF.CA.US>
Date: 12 Sep 90 16:33:11 GMT
References: <2975@vela.acs.oakland.edu>
Reply-To: sharon@asylum.UUCP (Sharon Fisher)
Organization: The Asylum; Belmont, CA
Lines: 33

In article <2975@vela.acs.oakland.edu> rdthomps@vela.acs.oakland.edu (Robert D. Thompson) writes:
>	However, could some one please enlighten me on the
>	characteristics (and relationship to the Internet) of
>	the other major networks,
>		UUCP
>		BITNET
>		BIX
>	What are these?
>	What do they offer?
>	How does one access them?

I'll let others Wiser than Myself deal with the UUCP and Bitnet part,
but Bix is a network sponsored by Byte Magazine.  (Byte Information
eXchange is the acronym.)  One accesses it through Tymnet.  It
features proprietary software (that is, not rn or nn or anything like
that), and has a great many groups on technical and non-technical
subjects (has a *wonderful* animation section, for example, and is
probably the best around for computer journalists to chew the fat
together).  

As to its connection to the Internet, I have heard various rumors at
times about a Secret gateway.  However, when I have occasion to send
net stuff to Byte editors, who presumably would know about such a
gateway, I do it by sending a copy using Unix mail to a staff member
of Unix World, who then manually moves the message to Bix (presumably
with cut and paste or something).

They offer a flat fee usage, but you still have to pay telecomm costs.
Any issue of Byte should have all sorts of information on how to join.
-- 
"Drive carefully."
"What is it with women and 'drive carefully'?  'No, I'm going to steer 
with my feet and read the comic paper.'"