Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!thad
From: thad@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Make a Wish Come True (Urban Myth)
Message-ID: <9006@cup.portal.com>
Date: 12 Sep 88 09:58:41 GMT
References: <10496@dscatl.UUCP> <1911@edsews.EDS.COM> <5706@utah-cs.UUCP>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 32
XPortal-User-Id: 1.1001.2826

(Just a client of PORTAL myself, but you asked)

PORTAL is a network of clustered SUNs and is based in Silicon Valley.  They
provide access to various nets, and a HUGE "local" BBS and information service
to its clients.

With only 11 local incoming phone lines and over 50+ Telenet incoming lines,
it's clear most their clientele is outside the "local" area; a large number
appear to reside on the East coast.  My conjecture is several thousands of
subscribers to their service; most don't seem to utilize Usenet.

I subscribe ($10/month, any baud, any time of day, any session duration) since
it's the most cost-effective method for me to have Usenet and UUCP access;
putting one of my "spare" machines on the net would cost considerably more re:
power and phone costs.

PORTAL does NOT provide access to the underlying UNIX.  It's user interface
is a rather sophisticated menu-driven system, and reading Usenet stuff is
easy as can be since related material (per newsgroup) is collected based on
the subject ... making browsing prior material a cinch.  (OOPS: It's s/b Its;
editing is a pain :-)

What it DOESN'T do is include one's real name in the "From:" field, and it
doesn't include a .signature in outgoing mail.  As a workaround, *I* put a
pseudo-signature on several function keys which I press after entering mail
text.  Thus, people like J-J and Nanook masquerade under pseudonyms.

What's the bug deal on "pseudonyms"?  Every UNIX system I've used has a login
name and an "account/user name" (see /etc/passwd)  (OOPS: bug deal -> big deal)


Thad Floryan [thad@cup.portal.com (OR) ...!sun!portal!cup.portal.com!thad]