🚀 go-pugleaf

Matthew Baillie (cm096@torfree.net) wrote:
: Nabil M. El-Khodari (falcon@torfree.net) wrote:
: : I-Comm once again!!! IMHO, I-Comm is the way out for most of TFN's 
: : current probelms that can be summarized as follows:

<snip>

: I don't know how you can support such a cheesy browser.  IMHO, I-Comm 
: bites the big one, big time.  I've used it all of maybe two time before I 
: got rid of it...it's the biggest waste of space I've had on my computer 
: in a long time...

May be, compared to what? It is a space waste if not capable of 
delivering graphics through a network using FreePort. What other 
terminal/browser does that? However, I do not agree with your assertion. 
Even as just a terminal, it has more features and I belief - stand to be 
corrected - occupies less space than say hyper-terminal. The point is may 
be you have not experimented with the new features in your two-time usage.

: : THE USUAL COUNTER-POINTS:

: : A- TFN does not have enough band width to allow its users graphical access 
: :    to the WWW.

<snip>

: : Solutions to TFN bandwidth problems:

: : a. Discontinue not.torfree.net and all its afilliated sites 
: :    (gts.torfree.net, etc.)
: : b. Cancel all accounts outside the Toronto area (those people use telnet 
: :    to reach TFN). They are most likely the least contributing members to the 
: :    donations. They also must have other accounts to reach the TFN, so no 
: :    harm will be done. Such approach has been implemented by one of the 
: :    Finnish FreeNets. 

: I'd love to see some proof of the statement made above.  I AM one of 
: those who live outside of Toronto...I do not have another account with 
: which I use to access the TFN.  This is the only access I have as a 
: matter of fact.  As for us being the "least contributing members to the 
: donations" I'd love to see some hardcore proof of that.  Don't go around 
: generalizing like that.  So what if I don't make a donation!  It's not 
: mandatory that I do, is it?  Think about it though...if this is my only 
: connection, and I live outside of Toronto, do you think that I have the 
: money to make a donation?  I certainly don't.

I'd love to see proof of any thing in the TFN :-) The lack of data makes 
decision-making just a matter of 'personal' opinion. I am basically 
speaking of the 'international' members. In my work at the office, the 
TFN had never received a letter from abroad with a check in it. However, 
my work there was very short. Again in the history of TFN, there may be 
one or two such letters - who knows?

Obviously if you live outside the GTA, and TFN is your only access, you 
are paying long distance charges to connect. Is that true? I do not 
believe so. It may be cheaper to join an ISP. So, where abouts do you 
live? Not that it really matters, as there always be exceptions.

My point is this, 'international' users link to the TFN using telnet, 
thus using more bandwidth. More often than not, they are also forwarding 
their e-mail to another account, thus making a double use of bandwidth 
than ordinary TFNers (once to receive the mail and once to forward it - 
though of course I stand to be corrected as usual by the techie-types). 
More often than not, they wouldn't send donations at all. Our mandate 
should be crystallized to serving only the GTA. Those from outside the 
area are to be encouraged to join freenets in their vicinity or even form 
new ones (ideally, but not practically).

: : B- The TFN does not have enough volunteer resources to implement new 
: :    systems nor provide user support for them.

: : Please read carefully the information listed below for the system 
: : requirements regarding the server. Only one file need to be included in 
: : the root directory. THAT IS IT.
: : 1;2;c
: : Support can be provided - as it usually is - by other users in the 
: : newsgroups. May be we can also establish a new newsgroup just for that 
: : purpose.

: : WHAT IS NEEDED:

: : 1- Provide the I-COMM browser in the public download area for the users 
: :    to experiment with. It is an excellent 'terminal' for use even with 
: :    current setting of TFN. This will avoid actually TFN users having to 
: :    subscribe to such freenets as the Finnish Freenet to be able to download 
: :    the software (by the way; why have the download feature been disabled in 
: :    the new Lynx?).

: To my knowledge they haven't...they work just fine for me...

: : 2- Make the decision to use I-Comm as 'THE' TFN browser and install the 
: :    server side file.

: Perhaps you should ask the membership as a whole in the next election.  
: After all, this would affect us all, wouldn't it? (Except for those who 
: live outside Toronto, who have been presumably cut off by then, since 
: they don't contribute enough $$$)

: : 3- Make the information known to our users (asking them for donations, as 
: :    we are improving the service).

: Again, ask them first.

: : 4- Immediate shift to HTML menues. Make this information known to our 
: :    'potential sponsors' and of course users and above all Information 
: :    Providers.

: Which would mean that we would have no choice and have to switch over to 
: I-Comm...:P

: : C- GUI access would affect those users preferring text-only.

: : Not at all. This approach is different than the PPP/SLIP alternative. 

: : D- Most TFN users will not be able to use the new features.

: : Again wrong. The browser only needs a 386. I have bought one from the 
: : Goodwell (though I still have my Pentium) for only $35 (an IBM PS/2 Model 
: : 70). Also all libraries that ar affilliated with TFN can install the 
: : I-Comm browser for TFN users. The desk space required is minimal and the 
: : browser is better than those currently in use by the libraries. Those who 
: : cannot afford a second-hand 386 can always use the library. I have been 
: : doing that - as I did not have a telephone line, now I have one - as at 
: : least 2 persons that I happen to know closely ;-)

: So, either get I-Comm or go and (presumably) wait in the library to log 
: on to the TFN.

: : In the current situation the TFN is in, and with the board's decision to 
: : take the easy way by forwarding the bill to the users - something that I 
: : basically do not agree with - we might as well show that we are 
: : 'improving' the service for the users.

: I have seen no bill...

: In any case...if you want to respond, you'll have to mail me, since I do 
: not frquent this NG...
: -- 
-- 
---------------------------O00Oo-   -o000O----------------------------
Nabil M. El-Khodari              \ / "Men use thought to justify their 
IP, TFN                           V  injustices, and speech to conceal 
                                  |  their thoughts"        -Voltaire-