Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!amdahl!dlb!dave
From: dave@dlb.uucp (Dave Buck)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2
Subject: Re: Rubbish in messages (Signature files)
Message-ID: <1990Feb1.204940.4497@dlb.uucp>
Date: 1 Feb 90 20:49:40 GMT
References: <223.25C35E44@weyr.FIDONET.ORG> <1990Jan28.215446.8820@dvinci.usask.ca>
Reply-To: dave@dlb.UUCP (Dave Buck)
Organization: D.L.Buck & Associates, Inc.; San Jose, Calif.
Lines: 35

In article <1990Jan28.215446.8820@dvinci.usask.ca> lowey@dvinci!herald.usask.ca.USask.Ca writes:
>This is in reply to a message from a Fidonet sysop, who pointed out that
>the header lines and especially the signature lines in messages from
>UUCP cost him a lot in telephone bills.  I might be able to do something
>about the header lines, but all I can do is ask people on UUCP to
>refrain from signature lines whenever possible.  
  <middle raving deleted>
>UUCP USERS:
>
>Messages on UUCP are usually distributed using leased lines (at cheaper
>rates).  Most of the costs are subsidized by the organization which owns
>your host computer.  On the other hand, Fidonet sysops operate on
>regular telephone lines, and pay the long distance bills themselves. 
>Anything that can be done to reduce the telephone bill is quite welcome. 

Uh, gee, guys, I beg to differ ... UUCP is generally a real, regular telephone
line, and we have to pay the bill, long distance or not.  The problem of
*extra stuff no one needs* is pervasive ... the Usenet news-software folks
have tried to limit signatures to 4 lines, without a lot of success.  Most
of those headers are needed somewhere along the line, some not needed unless
there's a problem and you want to track things down.  Now, some folk use
Internet or other non UUCP networks, and they have "leased lines (at cheaper
rates)".  Some use a PDN.  And, some companies with lotsa offices across the
country have their own leased lines for uucp or other traffic.  But generally
you have nothing to whine about.  Sure, it's a long distance, off-the-continent
call.  Many of us UUCP Usenet'ers make use of the fact that we have close
neighbors, and cut the long distance costs by increasing local connectivity,
and take advantage of the fact that there are some universities or companies or
governments who will bear the off-the-continent burdens.  Perhaps you should
seek the same solution, setting up a gateway for Australia via some node
in your area already receiving Usenet stuff via whatever their means, instead
of making long distance calls to receive it.
-- 
Dave Buck	{aeras,amdahl,ames,ardent,daver,netcom,sun,zygot}!dlb!dave
D. L. Buck and Associates, Inc.; San Jose, California 95119; (408)972-2825