Newbies Guide to Echomail

When  logging  on  to  your  local  BBS  you  may notice that there /are/
additional  areas  you  can gain access to aside from just the usual file
areas.   So  next  time  you're on, instead of just uploading that screen
blanker  you  found  on  an  old  coverdisk  and using it as an excuse to
download  the  latest  10mb of Aminet stuff.  Stop for a minute and press
"M" to see what you're missing.

Before I start I suppose there is a few techie things I ought to explain.
Don't  worry,  I  know  its boring so I will be quick.  Echomail is /not/
E-Mail.  E-Mail is passed via the Internet and Echomail gets nowhere near
the Net.  Its all done via Bulletin boards.  Basically an echo is an area
in  which  people publicly post messages into which everyone can read and
anyone  can reply to.  The echoes will usually be on a particular subject
such  as  "Fantasy  and Science Fiction" or "Amiga Games" and talk within
those echoes will be restricted to that particular topic of conversation.

So  that's  the  general  plan.  Like minded people get together and talk
about  subjects that interest them.  You can find echoes on virtually any
subject you want, and then gob off to your hearts content.

So,  how  do  you start ?  Well, probably the best way to start off is by
finding yourself an Off Line Reader, (OLR), which can handle all the mail
and make sorting the messages and replying to them that much easier.  You
can, of course, read and reply online to the BBS but this will cost you a
fortune.

You've  found  yourself  a BBS than can handle .QWK mail packets.  What's
that  ?  Well all the mail that you want will be compressed into a single
file that you can download when you log on making your mail transfer very
easy.   When  you  use  your OLR, (I recommend NesQWK V1.06 as it is very
easy  to  use),  the mail will be sorted into the areas that you selected
for  download.   When  you  reply to your mail the OLR will pack all your
replies into a single file which you can then upload when you next log on
to the BBS and it will all be sorted out automatically for you.

If  you  want  descriptions  of how to use all the software I suggest you
read the manual `cos I ain`t going to tell you.

Once  you've  been  at it for a while and if you decide that you like it,
you  can then apply to your sysop to become a point.  This means that you
can  use  software  that  will  automatically  up  and download your mail
without having to log on to the BBS.  This will cut down your time online
and  subsequently your phone bills.  Setting up point software isn't that
easy  and  I suggest you carefully check everything before you log on for
the first time.  If you're lucky the sysop may help you with a few bits.

Once  you  have  set  up as a point you can then use Netmail.  Whereas as
Echomail  is  open  to  anyone  who subscribes to that echo, Netmail is a
message  sent  from you directly to the person it is addressed to.  Don't
make  the mistake of thing that Netmail is private though.  It ain`t.  If
you  want  all  the  pitfalls  of Netmail I suggest that you read Anthony
"Xerra"  Brice`s  piece  titled  'Private Mail - Is it realy private?' in
issue six of Miggybyte.

So,  everything's  cool  then.  Do what you like eh ?  Well, no you cant.
Many  echoes, especially in Fidonet are moderated.  A person is appointed
to  ensure  that  echo  rules  are followed and this person is called the
"Moderator",  although  there  have been some in the past who were simply
known  as  "Cunt".   Generally the rules for each echo will be individual
for that echo but as a guide you can expect :

                1.  No swearing.
                2.  No over-quoting of previous messages.
                3.  Stay on topic for the echo.
                4.  Leave moderating to the moderator.

Moderators  will give warnings for breaches of the rules and can get your
feed  to  that  echo  cut  or  can bar you from writing in the echo for a
period  of  time.   The  other thing is that FIDO policy holds your Sysop
responsible for messages originating from his system so they can also get
into  trouble  for  your  stupidity as well.  Don't forget, the Sysop has
your home address !  And some bricks as well !  Probably.

Its probably best to "lurk" for a while before you post anything into the
echo.   All  lurking  means is that you simply read the messages that are
posted  to  an echo before you post anything yourself.  By doing this you
should  be  able  to  get  the  "feel"  of an echo and an idea of what is
acceptable  and  what  is  not.   Don't  worry about introducing yourself
first,  its  probably best to just jump into a discussion that is already
going.   Nobody is going to worry about you leaping in on their argument,
its echomail and any message is fair game for a reply.

Some  general  tips now for you then.  First thing you have to realise is
that  Echomail  is  sent through BBS`s on the phone.  It may take several
days  for  your  message  to  get  round  the country and several for any
replies  to  wend  their way back to you.  Discussions can therefore take
several weeks from start to finish but that's life.

The  way  that  you  present  your message is also quite important.  Keep
quoting  down  to  the  minimum required to get your point across.  Don't
forget,  everyone  everywhere  is  paying  to  download your messages and
Sysops  are  paying  to  route your messages all over the country.  Also,
grammar  and spelling helps a bit too.  If your message is well presented
then  people  are  more  likely to take it, and you, seriously.  The only
image  people  have of you is the name at the top of the message and what
your message says.  Don't worry too much about this but it is a good idea
to  spell  check  all  your  messages before posting them.  Lets face it,
everyone has a spell checker don't they.

Also,  using  expressions  like  g8  !!!!   and  m8  could  be  a bone of
contention.   They don't make you look "kewl".  To the majority of people
they make you look like a prick.

You will probably find on your travels that there are some people who are
just  annoying.   They disagree with everything you say, try and make you
look  stupid  etc..   So  fucking  what I say.  Don't let them annoy you,
there's  no  point  responding  with a tirade of abuse to people who just
want to bait you.  That's the only reason they act like they do, it makes
them come when you bite.  Trust me.  Let it wash over you and you'll find
it a whole lot easier.

Last  tip  then, certainly give the FIDO echoes a try but there are other
areas  available.  One such area is Barnet which was set up some time ago
with  the  ideals that free speech was to be the ideal.  As such, you can
swear,  use  false  names  and  all those other wonderful things that you
dreamed  of.   However,  this certainly don't mean that Barnet is a place
where  you  can go to simply gob off to the world.  Barnet carries an 18+
only  tag for a start and the talk in it is generally of an adult nature.
Be  warned, have a look by all means but wear your sensible head when you
do.

And  that's about it.  Give it a go, see if you like it and have fun with
it.

The Duty Man, FIDO 2:257/128.3 and 2:254/524.16

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