Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbatt!cbosgd!mark
From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.mail.uucp
Subject: Re: UUCP Zone application information packet
Message-ID: <3380@cbosgd.ATT.COM>
Date: Fri, 20-Feb-87 15:59:49 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.3380
Posted: Fri Feb 20 15:59:49 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Feb-87 07:37:21 EST
References: <3368@cbosgd.ATT.COM> <1433@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus, Oh
Lines: 54
Keywords: uucp, domains, application

In article <1433@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP> grr@cbmvax.UUCP (George Robbins) writes:
>This may be a stupid question, but why havE the uucp project, domain registry
>and Stargate suddenly become one and the same thing/organization?

Because it costs a significant amount of money to start up an organization.
Some some of us are involved in both projects, it was determined that it's
more cost effective to do it once than twice.  (The domain registry always
was part of the UUCP Project; Stargate started out separately.)

>Why are the domain registration dues so high?  What expenses are being
>covered and are any of these 'domain' dues actually going to cover Stargate
>stuff?

It costs $5000 to $30,000 per year to join CSNET; BITNET and ARPANET are
even more.  $150/year is a real bargain.  We set the rates to cover our
projected 1987 expenses with our projected 1987 income.  The bulk of the
money is budgeted for startup costs, telephone, and travel.  The Stargate
part has its own funding from Stargate subscribers, and the money is
being kept separate.

>I was willing willing to shell out $10-$20 out of my own pocket to cover
>one-time filing fee for this domain stuff, and am shocked to find somebody
>expects $50-150 a year!  Now I've got to convince my company that this is
>somehow a 'good' thing.

We have 1 person consulting companies that are happy to pay $150/year to
have a domain at the same level as AT&T.  If Commodore is too impoverished
to afford $.50/day to cover the ENTIRE COMPANY, they must be hurting
pretty badly, in which case I'm afraid to buy their products.

It was never intended for people to pay for this out of their own pockets.
The whole company benefits from a consistent electronic mail interface
to the outside world; the company should be happy to pay for that benefit.

>I have no objections to domains.  I have no objection to Stargate.  BUT
>isn't it about time that some of the people involved take the time to
>explain the policies, plans and dreams involved?

Very simply, we're trying to provide some higher quality services to the
community at a low cost.  I think we're succeeding.  We've already done
the most we possibly could on a cost-free basis (the UUCP map) and we've
run up against a limit.  If we are going to improve service any more, we
have to spend time & money to do it.  That money isn't going to come out
of our own pockets.

We do not have venture capital here.  We don't have somebody paying the
bills as a benefactor.  The principles do not have spare cash to
spend.  This project has to pay its own way, from the beginning, or it
won't even get off the ground.  If you really think we're somehow evil, then
conduct a smear campaign; we'll all get discouraged, give up, and UUCP
can get on with collapsing under its enormous weight.  If you want the
UUCP Zone to succeed, show your support by signing up!

	Mark