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From: ccplumb@watnot.UUCP
Newsgroups: news.groups,news.admin,news.sysadmin
Subject: Re: Public Apology....*sigh*
Message-ID: <12737@watnot.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Mar-87 01:33:18 EST
Article-I.D.: watnot.12737
Posted: Mon Mar 30 01:33:18 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 30-Mar-87 04:37:19 EST
References: <1498@hplabsc.UUCP>
Reply-To: ccplumb@watnot.UUCP (Colin Plumb)
Distribution: world
Organization: U. of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 26
Xref: utgpu news.groups:560 news.admin:263 news.sysadmin:86

Actually, Dave Taylor had a good point buried in his posting.
(I think so; please be restrained in flaming if you don't.)

Namely, there has been a long tradtion of zero *entry* cost
into the UUCP/usenet system.  You just go up to a leaf node
and grovel.  Now, the backbone sites pay great sums of money
to keep things running, and even the average cost of maintaining
a UUCP connection exceeds any fees being talked about today...

BUT I think the idea that you can get into the system at no cost
is a very good one, and contributes a very desirable spirit to usenet.
Even though it isn't currently threatened, it should be carefully
looked after.  It's easier to say to a boss, who doesn't see the
need for external mail or netnews, that it doesn't cost anything
except a phone line for a few hours a night and some work on your
behalf, than that there is a price tag (however small) on the
facility.  Then, people can get to liking, it, maintaining the system
can become an official activity, long-distance links can be set
up, your site can feed others, etc.

Usenet has a great communal atmosphere, and I wouldn't want to risk it.
--
	-Colin Plumb (watmath!watnot!ccplumb)

Silly quote:
It's a fiat accompli.