🚀 go-pugleaf

	I have been using Usenet and the Internet for about three years now, 
and have recently come up with an idea for a commercial service to be 
available to Internet users.  In general terms, it would be a mail-daemon that 
would provide a service to users who would include their MasterCard or 
Visa number in the e-mail letter.  I have several questions about access, 
costs, legality, and general netiquette which I hope you can help me answer.  
I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

	First of all, how big is the Internet?  How do you know?  In general 
terms, how many people use e-mail on the Internet and systems connected to it 
(e.g., Compuserve, Bitnet, AppleLink, etc.)?

	What is the procedure to establish a commercial node on the Internet?  
What firms would you recommend?  What costs should I expect to pay?  Are there 
different prices depending on throughput?  Are there any restrictions on 
commercial users of the Internet (e.g., restricted access, no junk e-mail,
etc.)?  Are there other firms using e-mail for commercial activities 
(e.g., mail-order,technical support, etc.)?

	Lastly, how would you recommend that I advertise?  Word of mouth will,
of course, be a major factor.  But can I purchase the Compuserve mailing list?
Would it violate the law or general netiquette to post advertising on Usenet?  
If not, what group(s) would be appropriate.

	It is probably clear from the number of questions above that I do not 
yet have the expertise to start up a mail-daemon service.  I am, in fact, 
planning on bringing in a couple UNIX hackers before I go much further, but 
this information will be very helpful to me in planning my strategy and costs.

	Thank you in advance for taking the time to reply.  Cheers.

Follow-up to:  Please reply by e-mail and I will post a summary of the
replies.
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_______________________________________________________________________________
Daniel M. Kohn          "studying" abroad at the   International Students House
Swarthmore College     London School of Economics  10 York Terrace East, Rm. 71
kohn@cs.swarthmore.edu    until March 19, 1993         London  England  NW1 4PT