From: petrilli@nextover.pe.utexas.edu (Chris Petrilli)
Subject: Re: Austin Free-Net?
Originator: riddle@aahsa.tic.com
X-Submissions: eff-austin@tic.com
Organization: none
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 14:40:59 GMT

Many people write in many different articles...

well, I see plenty of proposals to set up a commercial Internet link, to  
provide people with SLIP, to do just about everything except what was  
proposed.

I'm sorry to say that 90% of the people *I* know who might be interested in  
a "Free-Net" type system don't WANT SLIP, and would not get involved if  
they had to use such a thing just to get access. It's the name of the game  
that not everyone has to have all the technology.

Sure, I'm used to having an Internet host on my desk, and I wouldn't give  
it up, but a large number of the people only want the SERVICES, not the  
connection itself, there is a major difference.  Also, as I've said in  
another article, being on Internet is one thing, being useful to it is  
another. Right now, with the shortage of host numbers (primarily B class  
which is what we would have to get), I think it's an absurd proposition to  
try and give everyone and their dog an IP address (which is what SLIP  
connections would effectively do).  Not to mentiolarge percentage of people  
wouldn't have any desire to deal with such things.

Now... the original proposal was something like the Cleveland Free-Net.   
The Free-nets are FREE, therefor all proposals to charge people have to be  
thrown out the window.  It has been my experience also that if you charge  
people you limit your user base, just the reverse of what the project is  
attempting (to connect EVERYONE).  Secondly, if you do charge, it's  
doubtful that you can charge enough to recover expenses, therefor you're  
running at a loss anyway.  This project is a sink hole for money, and will  
never make a profit, even if you do charge.

If people decide they want a pay system, that's fine, but I personally will  
continue to work on a free system.  It's the same reason I work for the  
Free Software Foundation as a programmer . . . I don't like people having  
their access limited to information by the profiteering of others.  I'm not  
saying that is the goal of people, but it would look like that to the  
outside, and we certainly would be violating the license on the FreeNet  
software if we charged a single dime.

As to WHO supports the system, it can't be an individual, I don't think any  
individual is ever going to have the time and resources to adaquately  
support something of this magnitude.  Sun 400 series machines require lots  
of power, and so do RS/6000s.  Also, the number of phone lines involved  
will be enormous, as will all the ancillery support equipment.  I for one  
would never entrust it all to a single individual's whims, however  
puritanical they may be.  I believe corporation/academic support is a MUST  
and not a desire.  Dell is a good shot, as is IBM, UT and MCC.  I don't  
really have a preference though I have cited the limits on the Free-net  
software as being "academic institutions," thereby reducing it to UT,  
however, we could work on our own software if it became that important.

I might sound like a doomsayer, but I think people have gotten away from  
the original question and perhaps the GOAL, and instead are looking at it  
from a "technical" point of view.  How many people do you REALLY think WANT  
NNTP to their house?

Everyone I know wants UseNet, but that's not NNTP, that's just access to  
UseNet.  In fact, almost none want the hassle of having to handle the  
networking, they would rather just start up a newsreader and READ, not  
having to worry about whether they have their IP address correct and  
whether the MX forwarding record is correct so they get their mail.

I think we all need to sit down in person and discuss this, as little real  
progress is being made over the computer. SLIP/PPP is a great idea, but it  
can't be the only solution, and it isn't the best for many (most) people.

Chris
--
| Chris Petrilli
| petrilli@nextover.pe.utexas.edu, petrilli@gnu.ai.mit.edu
| All opinions are my own, if they even belong to anyone.


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