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From: cmf851@anu.oz.au (Albert Langer)
Newsgroups: comp.society.development
Subject: Re: Low-cost Usenet (Re: usenet in Nepal)
Message-ID: <1991Jun15.023819.5589@newshost.anu.edu.au>
Date: 15 Jun 91 02:38:19 GMT
References: <91156.085853DOUG@ysub.ysu.edu> <78978@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> <1991Jun14.100804.4867@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com>
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In article <1991Jun14.100804.4867@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com> 
herrickd@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com writes:

>Waffle is software.  To get a news system running with DOS Waffle,
>you need
>
>      1)  a MSDOS computer with 640K and hard disk
>      2)  Waffle
>      3)  a modem
>      4)  a feed - this is another news site that you can call on
>          the phone to get news from and feed your local postings
>          back to.
>      5)  a copy of the Nutshell book about uucp
>
>Item 1 can be satisfied by an IBM XT or clone, 8088 with 20MBytes of
>disk.  You will always want more disk.

Technically correct. But for a high speed news feed it would be safer
to get a 286 or 386, both of which will also be more useful for other
software (especially 386 for possible future upgrade to unix). If you
have an 8088 then use it, but don't buy one unless it is DRAMATICALLY
cheaper.

>Item 3 should be at least 2400 baud.  You should probably talk to the
>system administrator of your feed site before buying it.  Speeds higher
>than 2400 have compatibility problems - you want to be able to use
>all the speed you pay for.

It will be cheaper to buy your feed site a high speed modem as well
as buying your own than to use 2400 baud for international news feeds
to Egypt or Nepal etc. Trailblazer PEP has the best reputation for
difficult international circuits. V32.bis is next choice, HST third
choice (but of course you must have the same as your feed). Also
get 16550AN USART to replace the 16440 USART on serial card and
use a FOSSIL that takes advantage of it. Both Waffle and FOSSILs 
are available from simtel. 2400 baud may be economically ok if
you have a local call feed but would still be a nuisance. Any
long distance feed should be higher speed even if not international.

(Perhaps a file of "consensus" advice could be built up from
discussions in this group - including EXACTLY where and how to
get software and hardware and explanations of conflicting
opinions. Include within a FAQ or point to it from one. Better still,
prepare a "kit" with simplified installation and tutorial manuals etc.)

BTW, I think fido software would be better for the actual file
transfers than uucico, especially on difficult international links
(mainly because of resuming after a lost connection, but also
slightly more efficient and easier to configure schedules etc).

How about combining a BinkleyTerm mailer with Waffle for the "kit"
(needs a similar feed of course)?

--
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