🚀 go-pugleaf

AMEN to Steven Goldstein's call for diplomacy and pragmatism.  Bitnet
exists because a small number of poeple originally had that attitude,
and grew very rapidly because others apparently adopted the same
attitude.

One thing that I *would* like to emphasize from Steven's note -- he
used the word "subsidy" and "subsidize" twice.  We must all realize
that the current NSFNet/NREN effort is just that, and like all
subsidies, the intent is to encourage decisions in a particular
direction.  We must make decisions in light of such subsidies, but
should have all of the facts, including future costs and benefits
when the subsidies disappear (as they must) available.

Bitnet, of course, has been "subsidized" by a number of major institutions
which pay for backbone links that benefit all members (as well as by
an IBM grant the established Bitnic).  In looking at any restructuring
proposal, one of the issues will certainly have to be how the implicit
existing subsidies are resolved.