Xref: utzoo ont.uucp:682 can.usrgroup:346
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!me!eastick
Newsgroups: ont.uucp,can.usrgroup
From: eastick@me.utoronto.ca (Doug Eastick)
Subject: Re: Is it time for a "uunet-north"?
Message-ID: <1990Feb3.104438.8697@me.toronto.edu>
Copyright: none
Organisation: U of Toronto, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
References: <25CA554B.1357@telly.on.ca>
Distribution: ont
Date: 3 Feb 90 15:44:38 GMT

evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) writes:
>One issue that may become sticky is that of Internet access. As I
>understand it, present Onet policy concerning commercial sites hooking
>up is unclear. Perhaps this site could be a lightening rod, taking care
>of the commercial hookups and relieving other Onet members of that
>"problem". I believe this can result in a working agreement that
>benefits both sides.

To join Onet, the organization must have a `common purpose' (if you will)
between all submembers.  There would still be the restriction the `no
commercial traffic' (e.g. invoices, paid software).  I've spoken with 
one of the Onet people and they are open to suggestions, but there are 
many grey areas which could be argued about.  The price of Onet is 
also high.

>I myself would like to see the site offer, besides Usenet and mail
>feeds, some kind of ftp access for subscribers. Maybe modem SLIP links,

Essentially what the commercial end of UUNET is offering.  The only
real barrier in doing this is the cost of phone lines in Canada.
A line from Toronto to the border would, likely, cost twice that of
the line from the border to Boston.  Fortunately, Bell is planning 
to decrease rates on 56kbps and T-1 lines by around 50%.  I'll 
believe it when I see it.  There are other cheaper, in the long term, 
solutions which could be considered (e.g. satellite). 

>I believe such a site would be of great interest to UUCP sites in
>Ontario and Quebec. I don't think there'll be much interest in the
>Maritimes and West, because with our stupid phone rates it's likely
>cheaper to call Virginia from Vancouver than to call Toronto.

That's because your call only has to travel Vancouver-NearestUSborder
on Canadian lines and then the cheap US services take over.  Want to
build a national commercial backbone?  Lease lines to the nearest US
border points (Buffalo, Seattle) and a T-1 line from MCI between
Buffalo and Seattle.  Not too proper, but technically feasible. Sigh.

If a uunet-north site was established, it could also provide 1-800
dialin for out of town sites.  Price from Bell that covers most of
Ontario (except by Manitoba, 807?) is around $0.37/minute.

Please add me to any mailing list pertaining to this topic.  Thanks.
--
Doug Eastick -- eastick@me.utoronto.ca