In 1984, when an awful lot of BBS programs were popping up and trying to garner a base of boards to run them, one particular program started to get a bit of attention: FidoNet, by Tom Jennings. This software had something that other BBSes didn't; the ability to network and transfer files, e-mail and messages throughout many other BBSes spread across the country, and later the world.
This dream, of a people-run network of BBSes that would communicate, depended on a real interesting idea; every night, an hour would be reserved for all the Fidos to talk among each other, with some BBSes declared to be the head of their "Zones" and transfer the information between other heads, cutting down on traffic. A very fascinating approach, and one that has held out with relatively few bumps... which brings up the other facet of FidoNet.
FidoNet has also had an interesting seconardy aspect; the politics and technical issues of running a network, especially one where there were hundreds of different nodes with many different ideas about the whole process. This bears itself out in the hundreds of issues of FidoNews, the FidoNet newsletter that has come out pretty much every week since 1984 (and continues to). You see the whole gamut of issues that such an organization has faced, and how these issues have been dealt with.
| Filename |
Size |
Description of the Textfile |
| ABBS | American BBS Association Files | |
| FIDONEWS | FidoNews, the official FidoNet Newsletter (1984-Present) | |
| JENNINGS | ||
| RIME | RelayNet International Message Exchange (RIME) Files | |
| adanet.apl | 2930 | APPLICATION: The ADSNet Network |
| adanet.cnf | 10909 | ECHOMAIL: The ADANet Conference Information |
| adanet.inf | 5178 | ADANET: Information File and Rules |
| adanet.org | 2357 | ADANET: Structure of Organization of ADANet |
| adanet.skd | 1129 | ADANET: Current Daily Schedule of ADAnet |
| alley | 6735 | Documentation for the Fidonet "Alley Net" Sysops (July 6, 1994) by Ryan A. Simpson |
| applform | 4891 | Application to Join Planet Earth Network (November 30, 1994) |
| applform.in | 3735 | Application to Join Intelec Network (September 30, 1994) |
| applic.txt | 3534 | APPLICATION: Application to Join the CrimeFighters International BBS Network |
| apply.dxn | 2275 | APPLICATION: Application to Dixie-Net (July 3, 1992) |
| ar-net.app | 2074 | Application to Join AmateurRadio Net (July 1, 1995) |
| ar-net.his | 3110 | A History of AmateurRadio Net as of July 1, 1995 |
| ar-net.rul | 3906 | AmateurRadio Ne Policy Document (July 1, 1995) |
| blt1 | 910 | THROBNET: What is Throbnet? |
| blt2 | 22589 | THROBNET: Detailed Descriptions of Throbnet Conferences |
| blt3 | 2524 | THROBNET: List of Moderators of Throbnet Conference Moderators |
| blt4 | 26847 | THROBNET: Computer Electronic Mail and Privacy by Ruel T. Hernandez (July 27, 1987) |
| blt5 | 1377 | THROBNET: How to Send Private Mail in Throbnet |
| blt6 | 802 | THROBNET: Free Speech in ThrobNet |
| blt7 | 976 | THROBNET: The ThrobHelp Conference |
| blt8 | 1748 | THROBNET: The Moderators' Guidelines |
| bre.txt | 1673 | Rules for joining the BRE League within GenericNet |
| calnet.app | 1130 | Application to Join the CALnet Echo |
| calnet.txt | 17590 | The CALNet Network Policy and Procedure Guide Version 1.0 (June 8, 1992) |
| calplan.txt | 1208 | The CALNet Plan of Operations |
| catnet.nfo | 11970 | CATNet Node Application |
| cavenet | 1211 | Information about Joining CaveNet |
| chateau.apl | 1563 | Application to Join the Chataeu Exine Adult Network |
| chateau.inf | 5746 | An Invitation to Join the Chateau Exine Adult BBS Hotel and Resort (November, 1991) |
| chateau.lst | 697 | Chateau Exine Adult BBS List |
| chateau.org | 679 | Organization Chart for the Chateau Exine Adult BBS Network |
| chateau.sys | 3877 | The Chateau Exine Adult Network Nodelist |
| chatecho.txt | 6644 | ChateauNet Echomail Areas and Descriptions |
| circus | 2564 | Information on CircusNet |
| claslib | 5855 | Network 350: The Brand-New Classical Liberal Network |
| college | 2060 | Information on College Singles Echo |
| comic | 1391 | Ad for Colornet/Comic Book Net |
| concept.txt | 1573 | A Quick Explanation of Fidonet/P*BNetHub Networking |
| conf.des | 17155 | Listing of Conferences of VampNet |
| conf.lst | 1204 | Listing of Conferences on RUSH NET |
| conf.rul | 2388 | Listing of Conference Rules of ISGNet |
| confdisc.txt | 3254 | Listing of Conferences on SCI-FI N' Monsters Net |
| conflist | 3750 | The Pen and Brush Network for Artists and Writers Conference List |
| conflist.asb | 13763 | Listing of All Conferences on Altered States and AdultNet |
| conflist.bbs | 3910 | Ocean County Net Conference Area (February 1, 1995) |
| conflist.in | 105292 | INTELEC: Conference Listing (August 1, 1994) |
| conftree.lst | 49392 | The Collosus SOO Resource Net (CSRNET) |
| coolconf.cnf | 2497 | The Current Mail Conferences Available on Cool-Net |
| coolnet.app | 1928 | Application to Join Cool-Net International Adult Network Application |
| coolnet.inf | 1393 | Information on the Cool-Net International Adult Network |
| crymson.app | 1207 | Application to join CrymsonNet |
| crymson.na | 1772 | Echoes Available on Crymson Net as of September 4, 1993 |
| crymson.pol | 7645 | CrymsonNet Policies Revision 1.02 |
| csrnet | 4576 | Information on CSRNET |
| csrnet.app | 2112 | Application to Become a Node on CSRNet |
| csrnet.con | 3510 | CSRNet Conference Listing (August 20, 1993) |
| csrnet.faq | 4603 | Frequently Asked Questions by CSRNet (June 20, 1993) |
| csrninfo.txt | 4645 | The Collosus SOO Resource Net (CSRNET) Gateway Information and Instroduction |
| cultwach.rul | 4274 | The Cult Watch Policy Echo Information |
| datenet | 2408 | Information on DateNet, an Online Singles Network |
| deathnet.154 | 15580 | NODELIST: DeathNet Nodelist (June 3, 1994) |
| dharmlst.328 | 32216 | NODELIST: DharmaNet Nodelist (November 24, 1995) |
| dharmlst.364 | 30811 | NODELIST: DharmaNet Nodelist (December 30, 1994) |
| didnet | 3859 | DRAGnet International Disability Network Mission and Strategy (October, 1994) |
| discnet | 5485 | Introduction to DiscNet Internation Fidonet (October 28, 1994) |
| febpol.txt | 11597 | The FEB Policy List Version 1.1 (March 12, 1995) |
| fido1222.nws | 26550 | FIDO NEWS: Volume 12 Number 22 (May 29, 1995) |
| fishnet | 6366 | Get caught up in The FishNet! Domain Name FISHNET.FTN |
| flynet | 3927 | Open Invitation to the FlyNet Aviation Network |
| flyplcy.202 | 17340 | The FlyNet Aviation Network Policies and Procedures Document (Version 2.02) (June 17, 1992) |
| fms | 3716 | New Echo: False Memory Syndrome, by David Bloomberg |
| funkconf.txt | 11093 | Information on the FunkNet Network BBSes |
| funkplcy.txt | 2779 | The General FunkNet Echo Mail Rules (June 16, 1993) |
| gnetapp.txt | 1606 | APPLICATION: GENIUSnet EchoMail Systems - Application For Node Status |
| gnetconf.lst | 5096 | ECHOMAIL: The Official GENIUSnet EchoMail Systems Conference List (April 1, 1992) |
| gnetmodr.lst | 3040 | ECHOMAIL: Moderator Listings for GENIUSNet (April 1, 1992) |
| gnetnode.lst | 2097 | ECHOMAIL GENIUSnet EchoMail Systems - Nodelist (April 1, 1992) |
| gnetreg.txt | 2701 | APPLICATION: Galactica Net |
| gravenet.801 | 3932 | NODELIST: GraveNet (August 1, 1994) |
| health | 2835 | Information on the Fidonet Healthcare Network |
| hint | 3651 | Information about HintNet: The Specialist in Games |
| hmskul | 5334 | The Home School Network: HSNET: November 27, 1994 |
| hogenet.app | 3082 | Application to Join the HoGeNET (Homade Generic Network) |
| hogenet.lst | 3139 | List of Message Bases on HoGeNET |
| holysmok.faq | 38252 | The FidoNet Holysmoke Frequently Made-Up Questions List by David Rice (October 12, 1994) |
| home | 1186 | Tag File for HomeNet |
| hsalist.139 | 20386 | The Hashbrown Society of America Network (May 19, 1995) |
| hsanet | 2070 | The Hashbrown Society of America Network by Jason Englander and Gerry Busardo |
| hub.txt | 4555 | The Echo Mail Hub Kit Template |
| hub_list.in | 29396 | INTELEC: International E-Mail Network Memberlist (August 1, 1994) |
| hubbing.txt | 1331 | The General Rules for being a Funknet Hub |
| hubrules.txt | 2750 | The RPGNet HUB and Regionals Rules and Responsibilities (June 16, 1994) |
| hugnet | 1684 | Expanding HuggyNet Network for the open Minded |
| humanet | 2239 | Information on HUMANET: The Computer Network for the Arts & Humanities |
| infinech.016 | 11228 | InfiNet: The International Freedom of Information Network Overview |
| infinech.txt | 7915 | The International Freedom of Information Network Listing of Current Available Echo Topics |
| infinet.app | 8280 | Application to join Infinet |
| infinet.na | 11270 | List of Boards for Infinet |
| infinode.txt | 16246 | BBS List for Infinet |
| infinpol.txt | 8513 | InfiNet - The International Freedom of Information Network Rules, Regulations, and General Policy (November 26, 1994) |
| infinset.txt | 4214 | InfiNet - The International Freedom of Information Network Setup Tips and Operation Guidelines |
| infonet.app | 2960 | Application to Join InfoNet |
| infonet.txt | 4021 | Infonet Introduction |
| insane.txt | 3328 | Information on the FIDOnet List of Insanet v4.0 |
| internet.inf | 16722 | Using Internet by means of CSRNet by Greg Goddard/Tony Pittarese |
| isg | 2170 | The International Sysop's Guid: Who and What is the ISG All About? |
| isg-list.113 | 21304 | Nodelist for the International Sysop's Guild (April 23, 1993) |
| isg.who | 1967 | ISG: The Internation Sysop's Guild: Who and What is the ISG all about? |
| isgcomf.rul | 2381 | International Sysop's Guild Conference Rules |
| isgecho.na | 3435 | The ISG Echo List |
| itcdiff.361 | 10202 | Nodelist of the International Telecommunications Network (December 20, 1993) |
| itcecho.lst | 15931 | ITC Net (International Telecommunications Network) Conference Areas List |
| itcguide.txt | 15523 | The ITCnet Guidelines Document (May 11, 1992) |
| itcnet.app | 3630 | Application to Join as a Node of International Telecommunications Network |
| itcroute.pol | 5258 | The ITCnet Route Map |
| logo.txt | 7165 | Membership Information for Laura's Lair Premium Board System |
| mhfxnet | 2716 | List of Echomail Conferences and File Areas on MHFXNet |
| mninfo.txt | 2703 | Introduction to MagicNET by Bill Waters and Terry Grant |
| net-info | 1023 | PLANET EARTH NETWORK: Introduction to Planet Earth Network (September 1, 1994) |
| net-rule | 13611 | PLANET EARTH NETWORK: The PEN is Mightier Than the Sword |
| netrules.in | 21140 | INTELEC: General Rules v4.08 (August 1, 1994) |
| nirvana.txt | 34998 | NirvanaNet: The Philosophy |
| nn_apply.txt | 8958 | Application to Join NirvanaNET |
| nn_echos.txt | 1850 | List of Echoes in NirvanaNET |
| nodediff.146 | 179570 | FidoNet Nodelist for Friday, May 26, 1995 -- Day number 146 : 32286 (May 19, 1995) |
| nodelist | 10334 | PLANET EARTH NETWORK: Nodelist (September 1, 1994) |
| nodelist.001 | 5328 | NODELIST: Outernet Nodelist (October 18, 1994) |
| nodelist.040 | 3324584 | NODELIST: Fidonet Nodelist (February 9, 1996) |
| nodelist.252 | 2905890 | NODELIST: FidoNet Nodelist (September 9, 1994) |
| nodelist.in | 72232 | INTELEC: International E-Mail Network Memberlist (August 1, 1994) |
| nodelist.pcb | 10358 | PLANET EARTH NETWORK: Nodelist for September 9, 1994 |
| nodemap | 7858 | PLANET EARTH NETWORK NODEMAP (September, 1994) |
| nodes.lis | 1940 | NODELIST (GalacticNet) |
| p&bnet.txt | 5365 | Information on the Pan and Brush Network for Artists and Writers |
| police.doc | 68864 | PoliceNet: A Network Serving the Law Enforcement Communite World-Wide, by Joseph Gaspard (1991) |
| police.txt | 68864 | POLICE.NET: A Network Serving the Law Enforcement Community World-Wide by Joseph Gaspard (1991) |
| policy.110 | 16073 | Syndicate-Net Official Statement of Policy - Revision 1.10 by Todd Rourke, Al Miller and Raymond DeRoo (1993) |
| policy.isg | 101462 | The ISG Policy Document Index |
| policy.tag | 3202 | The Pen and Brush Net Policy Document (August 6, 1994) |
| policy4.txt | 75962 | The FidoNet Polict Document Version 4.07 (June 9, 1989) |
| prime | 3089 | Information Fle for the Prime Network (1994) |
| prognet.app | 4635 | APPLICATION: ProgNet Application |
| pronode.098 | 7760 | NODELIST: Professional Network PRONET Nodelist (April 9, 1994) |
| psudnet | 2824 | Echo List of PseudoNet Message Echoes |
| readthis.in | 10996 | INTELEC: Information on Intelec Network (September 17, 1994) |
| rgs-supp.txt | 15729 | Renegade Support Network, RGS-Net (Official Renegade Support Sites) (May 11, 1994) |
| rgsnet | 4136 | Renegade Bulletin Board System Support Network (RGSNet) |
| rgsnet.pol | 37608 | RGSNET Policy and Procedures Guide Draft 1.1 (July 22, 1994) |
| rgsnlist.210 | 60247 | RGSNET Nodelist for Friday, July 29, 1994 |
| rgsnlist.350 | 85062 | NODELIST: RGS Nodelist (December 16, 1994) |
| rimeconf.rul | 10857 | RIME: Conference Rules |
| rimepost.txt | 138366 | Relaynet Channel List (September 14, 1993) |
| rlyhost.inf | 2961 | RELAYNET: Information on RelayNet |
| rnet_pol.003 | 46169 | Official Policy Statement of RANET (January 1, 1993) |
| rushnet.app | 2911 | Application for Joining RUSHNET |
| rushnet.inf | 2641 | Information on Joining RUSHNET |
| rushnet.txt | 6895 | How to Get Echo Mail on RUSHNET, by The Crystal Palace |
| satellit.in | 6730 | INTELEC: Direct Connect With Net Host (August 1, 1994) |
| spice | 3379 | SPICENET Information and Echo List |
| sysunnet.txt | 1460 | The Sysops Undergroup Network Application |
| tbnet | 7600 | Overview of The Thunderbolt Net (Fido Network) |
| tcanlist.in | 2391 | INTELEC: Blacklist of Banned Individuals |
| throbnet.apl | 4347 | THROBNET: National Adult Network Network Application (October 31, 1994) |
| throbnet.cnf | 30864 | THROBNET: Detailed List of Throbnet Conferences |
| throbnet.inf | 5670 | THROBNET: Introduction to the Throbnet International Adult Network |
| throbnet.lst | 23808 | THROBNET: List of BBSes in the Throbnet Network |
| timnet.003 | 3423 | NODELIST: TIMnet (The Insane Mail Net) (July 31, 1992) |
| toxicnet.app | 1281 | ToxicNet BBS Node Application |
| toxicnet.q&a | 2980 | The Toxicnet Question and Answers |
| toxicnet.rul | 1553 | The Rules of the Toxicnet BBSes |
| uniftp.txt | 10077 | ECHOMAIL: U'NI-NET and Internet FTP |
| unihost.lst | 10952 | ECHOMAIL: U'NI-net International Echo Net Host/Hostess List (January 24, 1997) |
| unihub.txt | 3464 | ECHOMAIL: Policies Around U'NI-Net Hubs |
| unihubs.lst | 3300 | ECHOMAIL: Official U'NI Net Hubs |
| uniphone.lst | 40990 | ECHOMAIL: U'NI-Net International Echonet BBS List (January 24, 1997) |
| unisat.txt | 5318 | ECHOMAIL: Availability of U'NI-Net Echomail via Plannet Connect |
| unistate.lst | 40990 | ECHOMAIL: U'Ni=Net International Echo NEt BBS List (By State) (Jabuary 24, 1997) |
| unisysop.txt | 8660 | ECHOMAIL: U'NI-Net Sysop Information |
| uniuser.txt | 8925 | ECHOMAIL: U'NI-NET Frequently Asked Questions |
| uucpfido | 22610 | How to Use the UUCP -- FidoNet Gateway Verison 2.3 by Lee Damon and Dale Weber (December 9, 1988) |
| xeronet | 6540 | XeroNet Policy Draft v1.7 [ 28 NOV 94 ] for the XeroNet BBS |
| xnet.txt | 9873 | ECHOMAIL: X_Net: A Cyberpunk Echo Net |
| There are 182 files for a total of 8,570,945 bytes. |
| There are 4 directories. |