GlobalNet Network GlobalNet Network is a computer network that connects many bulletin board systems around the world. For example, a person can enter a message in a GlobalNet message area on a bulletin board in the USA and that message would then be sent to every bulletin board around the world that is connected to that message area. A typical message takes about 3 days to reach a bulletin board system in GlobalNet. The medium that could be used in GlobalNet is far reaching. The nice thing about GlobalNet is that you don't need to know anyone. All you do is post your message in the specific subject area and someone who is interested in that subject will repsond to you. GlobalNet is a free, electronic amateur computer network. GlobalNet is like a Ham network where as Ham uses radio sites all around the world to talk to each other and GlobalNet uses electronic messages. The GlobalNet Network is made up of Sysops (Computer System Operators) who want to freely exchange messages that pertain to many different subject areas. The GlobalNet Network operates by the Fidonet(tm) technical standards. To link into the GlobalNet Network you need a front-end mailer and a mail tosser. You do not need to run a bulletin board system to link in and talk to people around the Globe. For more info. on how to setup your system to link into the GlobalNet Network, contact one of the persons below. I'm sure a lot of you, who have been part of networks for a long time are either saying that this is just another network that has been started. This statement is truly wrong. I know what it is like to be the lazy Sysop or the busy Sysop when you have no time to check things out, but GlobalNet is truly "THE" new network of the 90's! So why not take 10 mins. and try it out? If you are an author of a specific program, you can run your own support message echo on the GlobalNet Network for Free! GlobalNet Common Question 1) Why should I join GlobalNet? Answer: Everyone wants to know why they should do something. They all want to know, "What's in it for me?". Well, I can only tell you that (GN) is for you and everyone else! The major difference between (GN) and other networks is that (GN) cares about what every single node likes and dislikes. Everyone has a voice in (GN) and this voice will be heard all the way to the top of (GN)! (GN) is a network that everyone can consider their own. Steps have been added into (GN) to make sure that problems do not occur like in other big networks. Every time someone makes a suggestion and wants to implement it, their suggestion will be discussed and voted on by every member in (GN). Also, in (GN) you will not find pages and pages of policies! (GN) policy is one-two pages and all it does is describe the workings of (GN). It does not tell you that you can't do this and can't do that. Message echos are the main part of (GN) and in these areas, you won't find moderators who will bust your chops. (GN) is for the hobbiest and most people seem to forget that. Since Globalnet is brand new, membership is low, however once new nodes link in, they realize that this is the network to be in and it works for them. You don't have to listen to me, give (GN) a try. It's 100% free and it runs on the Fido technology. We have established a (ZC) in the USA and in Europe. If you are interested in giving (GN) fill out the GlobeNet Application. 2) How do I get started? I don't know how to install GlobalNet. Answer: This is the second most asked question. Unlike other networks, who don't take the time to help you setup and understand how things work, GlobalNet takes the time to teach you how to setup and run everything correctly. It is very simple to install (GN) in your BBS system. All you need is a front end mailer, mail tosser and a (GN) nodelist. It is that simple. If you need further help you can contact any memeber of GlobalNet and he/she will be happy to help you. Expanding GlobalNet Network GlobalNet needs a presence in the many areas. Maybe you can help GlobalNet. Please review the enclosed materials and if you are not interested, please pass them on to someone that may benefit. If you are interested in becoming a Network Coordinator (NC) for your district, or just interested in receiving the GlobalNet echos, please complete the Application form in this program and send it to one of the people in the Contact section. Fast Echo Turnover ------------------ GlobalNet's size can provide you with quick turn-over of your echo posts. We presently have three Mail Hubs feeding from our intercontinental connection in New Jersey, which is our connection to Germany. In Europe each country has a main mailhub which calls daily to the (ZC) in Germany, who feeds the echos two times a day to the (GC). Our connection to Australia is also daily thanks to the (ZC) in Germany and the (ZC) in Australia. What this means is that you will get a quicker response from the USA, Europe and Australia. GN is relatively small so turnover is usually quick and with the expansion of GlobalNet forthcomming mail links will even be faster. Global Communications --------------------- Talk to Europe. Develope friendships in Finland, Bulgaria, or Australia, as well as many other European countries. See the enclosed nodelist for more details. The "Chatter" echo contains general "Chit-Chat" from around the globe. Or link into the "EarthWide" Echo for more serious discussions. What about programming. GN sports a variety of programming echos from C to basic, from the IBM to the Atari, as well as a hardware and software support echo for Hewlett-Packard computers. Or maybe cooking is your interest. Improve that Global Cusine with your PC! Sports, Education, Medicine? Its all there. There are many echos, most of which are just waiting for you. Introduction ------------ Hello, my name is Joe Smolinski, I operate Joes CODE 313-855-0894. I will be here to assist you in your setup (if this is the first time for you) or help to settle any problems that may arise. GN is a free and democratic network. There are no "shared" costs. This is a hobby, and your cost is your own. When you or I can no longer afford it, then its time to retire and let someone else step in. All you have to do is absorb the cost to pick up your mail. Looking forward to hearing from you. GlobalNet Area Coordinator Information Zone 51 - Zone 52 - Zone 54 -------------------------------------- This is a text information file explaining what GlobalNet (GN) Regional Coordinators (RC) are responsible for in the network. OVERVIEW -------- An (RC) is in charge of his Area and will be the mailhub for that Area until an Regional Echo Coordinator (REC) is required. Under the RC, there will be at least one District. The District has a Network Coordinator (NC) who is in charge of that District. The NC is the mail hub for the district until the need arises for a District Echo Coordinator. The (RC) could initially be the NC in his district. The RC is responsible for the affairs that come up from his area, and he is in charge of the area. When a GN memeber feels uncomfortable with his NC the member can go directly to the RC and ask for help. It is not the intent to play GOD, but rather to try to mediate the problem, or just offer some good advice. The RC is responsible for making the determination for the creation of new districts within the Area. The number assignments for new nets in your area should follow the approved template for Zone 51. See "Sample3b". included in this package. It is also your job to bring in more people in your area to join GN and help GN grow. This may mean a few phone calls. It is really up to you to decide how much time and phone charges you want to invest. The only thing you should consider is whether you want this to be a temporary position. If you feel that you do not want this type of involvement, keep you eye open for a new node that has excessive energy and maybe you will find your replacement. NODELIST -------- The GN nodelist is assembled every Friday in Germany. You have to gather all District updates from the NCs in your area in the form GN_Dxxxx.UPD where xxxx is the District number. You put them together and generate a update for your area in the form GN_Axxx.UPD where xxx is your area number and then forward it to your Continental Coordinator (ZC) which is 51:51/0 in USA, 52:52/0 for Europe and 54:54/0 for Australia. You must submit the file to your ZC based on his time table, but normally it would need to be before Wednesday 7:00 AM EST if you have any changes in your update file. NOTE: You do not have to send the file if you have no changes in your area. Any submission after Wednesday 7:00 AM may not be included in the GN official nodelist that comes out that Friday and it will be delayed to the next week. The following is an example update file from area 51:120/0 to 51:51/0: (Filename for area 120 is GN_A120.UPD) Region,120,*RC*_PA_VA_WVA_DC_MD,USA,Donald_Papa,1-215-572-5356,9600,CM,HST,V32,V42 ,1,*REC*_Region_12,USA,Donald_Papa,1-215-572-5356,9600,CM,HST,V32,V42 ; Host,1200,*NC*_Pennsylvania_Net,USA,Donald_Papa,1-215-572-5356,9600,CM,HST,V32,V42 ,1,Mechanix_Choice_BBS,Glenside_PA,Donald_Papa,1-215-572-5356,9600,CM,HST,V32,V42 ,2,AirPower_BBS,Lansdowne_PA,Jim_Henry,1-215-259-2198,2400,CM ,3,Scott's_House_BBS,Havertown_PA,Scott_McMullan,1-215-789-5748,9600,CM,HST,V32 In the above example, Donald Papa is RC of area 120 and there is one District within area 120 and this district's assigned as 1200 The NC for district 1200 is Donald Papa and there are 3 nodes in district 1200. Again - see "Sample3b" for additional templating information. To obtain the official GN nodelist every week, one way is to request it from 51:51/0 or 52:52/1. There are other ways to get it through other channels, it is all up to the individual RCs but as a rule, you should be able to have a new copy of the official GN nodelist every week for the NCs and nodes in your area. You can file request it from 51:51/0, its magic name is GLOBENET. The file you get will be GLOBENET.A?? where ?? is the last two digits of the day of the year and it is in .ARC compression format. The nodelist is ticked out automatically from Germany at 00:30 Friday. You should receive this file no later then Sunday. If you are not receiving this file automatically then you need to contact your mailhub. GN NEWS ------- GN_NEWS is GN's newsletter, published weekly from 52:4908/1. It covers something interesting and informative about GN in each issue. You could request it from 51:51/0 and its magic name is GN_NEWS. The file you get will be GN_NEWS.A?? where ?? is the last two digits of the day of the year and it is in .ARC compression format. GN_NEWS is ticked out when it is published so everyone should receive this automatically from there mail hub. If you do not receive this file then you need to contact your mailhub. MAIL ---- Echomail plays an important role in GN. It lets you share a particular message topic with other GN members who carry that echo. As REC, you will be linking into one of the MAIL_HUBS. As REC, you will also be feeding all NECs of your area. Remember one thing when setting up feeds - be aware of the time delay to get mail delivered. Also remember that exception to rules always occur, especially if it means saving a NEC $$$$. GOOD Luck --------- That's about it to get you started if you are a new (RC). For those who are already an RC in GN, this information could be another reference file. Please feel free to ask questions to ANY member of GlobalNet. Your (ZC) in USA currently is Joe Smolinski. (51:51/0), and I am open for questions so please don't feel hestitate to ask. And GOOD Luck!