But an amateur call sign can be from 3 to 6 characters, of which at least one is a number. However, because of a checksum calculation that is used during the initial connection, the 7 characters can only be a subset of the uppercase alphabet. Because the checksum uses a modulo-20 addition, only 20 alphas can be used out of the 26. The BBSs have a distinct weakness in the area of providing information to the user. The average new user has limited computer experience and very probably NO experience with other E-Mail systems.
Networks are a concept that scares even many long-time packeteers.
An information provider should take these into account and also provide a way to be interactive, at least to a point. The regular users provide the NEED for the network. The second class of users, super-users, try to MEET the needs of the regular users. There are usually BBSs, but can also be information providers, Interret mail routers, non-radio wormholes to distant places, and any other resources that might be needed or desired. While both classes of users should he given equal status pertaining to the use of network resources, the regular users, obviously, should he given special consideration.