• Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet

    From ryan@21:1/168 to All on Sun May 3 18:11:57 2020
    Hey friends,

    Feel free to skip this if you aren't interested in me, just some random idiot out in cyberspace, bloviating about something he can't control. But I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

    I've joined fsxNet long ago with my old BBS, took a hiatus when my VM was accidentally destroyed (without backups! oops), and then subscribed once
    again about a year and some time ago with the newest incarnation of my BBS.

    In that time, I've sadly seen fsxNet trend from a fun/simple/experimental network into what feels like a worst-of-fidonet analogue, at least in this
    sub. I'm not interested in censoring speech and I'm not interested in
    throwing down the banhammer unnecessarily, it's just...sad.

    Perhaps at one time fsxNet was mostly an echo chamber of center/center-left/left types, and the back and forth vitriol was kind of avoided by default. But now I generally skip reading mail on fsxNet
    altogether, and it's because a certain group of people has decided to respond to every single post they disagree with, in a fashion that's intended to incite.

    fsxNet no longer has much of a sense of community, and the "signal" of interesting discussions is lost in the "noise" of people hating on one
    another for their philosophical differences of opinion.

    Maybe this is the way things go. Maybe free and unmoderated speech will
    always create a cesspool of communication. Maybe we should create subs specifically for people to go after one another and stop tolerating it in
    more "general" channels. Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like the same network of a year ago, and it's a shame, because I used to look forward
    to loggin in each day and catching up with everyone in our little virtual community.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From Dean Galloway@21:3/108 to ryan on Sun May 3 18:43:58 2020
    Hi Ryan,

    Remember to back up this time :-) We all preach it but I wonder how many people actually do it?

    <SNIP>
    Maybe this is the way things go. Maybe free and unmoderated speech will always create a cesspool of communication. Maybe we should create subs specifically for people to go after one another and stop tolerating it in more "general" channels. Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like
    <SNIP>

    I think being an election year in the USA and the expanding node base, another sub for politics would be a great idea, but it's not my call. Maybe we could take a survey, maybe it's not what they want or a direction they want to see fsxnet going. Great intro discussion though.

    dg

    --- D'Bridge 4
    * Origin: Buckeye Telegraph (21:3/108)
  • From Al@21:4/106 to ryan on Sun May 3 18:44:58 2020
    Hello ryan,

    bloviating

    Wait a minute.. I have to write that down!

    fsxNet no longer has much of a sense of community, and the "signal" of interesting discussions is lost in the "noise" of people hating on one another for their philosophical differences of opinion.

    fsxNet is a growing net and as we grow we get many more "types" coming in.

    Maybe we should create subs specifically for people to go after one another and stop tolerating it in more "general" channels.

    I lean this way since I may not want to get involved in, or even bother reading
    some discussions I don't want to shut anyone up either.

    Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like the same network of a
    year ago, and it's a shame, because I used to look forward to loggin
    in each day and catching up with everyone in our little virtual
    community.

    I still enjoy fsxNet very much, the general sub is awesome but it would be good
    to keep the politics/religion/debate out of there since they can be so divisive.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)
  • From Nazferiti@21:3/107 to Dean Galloway on Sun May 3 23:51:46 2020
    I think being an election year in the USA and the expanding node base, another sub for politics would be a great idea, but it's not my call. Maybe we could take a survey, maybe it's not what they want or a
    direction they want to see fsxnet going. Great intro discussion though.

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just my two cents,
    but I have only been here a short time and enjoy what I have seen so far.

    - Mike

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Arcadia BBS | Putnam, CT | telnet.arcadiabbs.com (21:3/107)
  • From apam@21:1/126 to ryan on Mon May 4 15:16:21 2020
    please excuse my lack of quoting I'm on my phone at the hospital so
    it's hard to compose a message.

    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok as
    long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down
    disrespectful chat by ignoring it.

    I know I'm guilty of engaging when I should be ignoring. It's hard.

    Andrew

    --- MagickaBBS v0.13alpha (Linux/x86_64)
    * Origin: HappyLand - telnet://magickabbs.com:2023/ (21:1/126)
  • From The Godfather@21:1/165 to apam on Mon May 4 01:56:17 2020
    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok as long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down
    disrespectful chat by ignoring it.


    First, I hope you're OK! Hospitals can't be fun during these trying times. Indiana has almost 20,000 confirmed cases with over 1,000 deaths so far and
    we keep climbing 500-800 per day. I'm not seeing a stock to the "spike" yet but hope it happens soon.

    This brings me to your larger point that drew me into this discussion -- We
    are all, in one way or another, struggling to deal with the COVID19 crisis right now and when one looks around, more good has come of it then bad. It's brought people closer together, such as more people like me rediscovering my roots of BBS'ing and/or the various acts of kindess, and ways communities are trying to connect with distance such as bear hunts, heart hunts, for kids within a neighborhood. Sine the beginning of COVID19, I have not thought of politics. I'm frankly disgusted with EITHER left or right politicians that utilize this crises for agendas, talking points, election hopes, and more overall holding up dollars people drastically need to push political agendas.

    Generalizing an entire group of suppporters of LEFT or RIGHT parties with
    names designed to insult, pick fights, or or discredit ones intellect or character, doesn't seem fitting for the present times we live -- and it's
    "so" 2016.

    I'm new here and not a moderator nor owner of FsxNet. I think good
    discussion on policy is perfectly fine for a general chat discussion MA. However apam, you're point is well taken and a practice of mine -- if youd
    on't like what you're reading, a simple skip is rather simple to do.

    Sending thoughts to you and your's that each of you are healthy, safe, and at peace!

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground BBS (21:1/165)
  • From Black Panther@21:1/186 to apam on Mon May 4 00:22:58 2020
    On 04 May 2020, apam said the following...

    please excuse my lack of quoting I'm on my phone at the hospital so
    it's hard to compose a message.

    I hope everything is alright on your end. I don't like hearing anyone having
    to be in the hospital.

    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok as long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down
    disrespectful chat by ignoring it.

    I would have to agree with you on that one. I don't get into political discussions. Period. My views are my own, and nobody will change my mind, or
    am I going to try to change anyone else's.

    That's also part of the reason I've been kinda quiet on here. First, I'm SO tired of the discussions of this virus, so I just skip any message with that subject. Second, I won't get into the political debates.

    I've been spending my free time either coding, or writing/changing different scripts for the BBS. Lately, I would just put on Pink Floyd and code. :) I
    hope that before too much longer, I'll be able to make an announcement of
    what I've been working on. ;)

    I know I'm guilty of engaging when I should be ignoring. It's hard.

    It really is, and I completely understand it. That's why I just skip over
    most of the messages lately. There have actually been times where I needed to check which echo I was reading, because it was so much like fidonet...


    ---

    Black Panther(RCS)
    Castle Rock BBS

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    * Origin: Castle Rock BBS - bbs.castlerockbbs.com (21:1/186)
  • From Ogg@21:4/106.21 to Black Panther on Mon May 4 02:56:00 2020
    Hello Black!

    ** On Sunday 03.05.20 - 20:22, Black Panther wrote to apam:

    I've been spending my free time either coding, or writing/changing different scripts for the BBS. Lately, I would just put on Pink Floyd and code. :) I hope that before too much longer, I'll be able to make an announcement of what I've been working on. ;)

    -+-

    Black Panther(RCS)
    Castle Rock BBS


    Is your project just something specific to your BBS? Or is it something
    that other systems may be able to adopt?



    --- OpenXP 5.0.43
    * Origin: (} Pointy McPointFace (21:4/106.21)
  • From Gamgee@21:2/138 to ryan on Mon May 4 01:50:00 2020
    ryan wrote to All <=-

    Perhaps at one time fsxNet was mostly an echo chamber of center/center-left/left types, and the back and forth vitriol was
    kind of avoided by default. But now I generally skip reading mail
    on fsxNet altogether, and it's because a certain group of people
    has decided to respond to every single post they disagree with,
    in a fashion that's intended to incite.

    Is that "certain group of people" the ones that may tend to lean
    to the *right* of center a little (or a lot)? You're not saying
    that they're not welcome here, are you? Was the network just fine
    as long as it was all lefties?

    Just to be clear also on the number of responses - have you
    noticed your pal "Phoobar"? He probably posts more than the next
    10 most active people combined, and nearly EVERY single post of
    his contains "the Orange POS" or similar language. Do you give
    him and that kind of behavior a pass? Would you require a
    "righty" to not feel like they should respond to such baiting?

    Not trying to pick a fight with you. Just a reminder that fair is
    fair, for both sides.

    fsxNet no longer has much of a sense of community, and the
    "signal" of interesting discussions is lost in the "noise" of
    people hating on one another for their philosophical differences
    of opinion.

    I'm not quite so convinced of that. There are still a lot of
    valid conversations going on, from what I can see.

    Maybe this is the way things go. Maybe free and unmoderated
    speech will always create a cesspool of communication. Maybe we
    should create subs specifically for people to go after one
    another and stop tolerating it in more "general" channels.

    That would be OK with me, and I'd be glad to see the politics left
    out of the General channel(s).

    Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like the same network
    of a year ago, and it's a shame, because I used to look forward
    to loggin in each day and catching up with everyone in our little
    virtual community.

    "Nothing is constant but change." A paraphased quote from
    somebody that I can't remember. Everything changes. I still look
    forward to reading here in FSX. Hopefully you can too.



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  • From Black Panther@21:1/186 to Ogg on Mon May 4 01:03:18 2020
    On 03 May 2020, Ogg said the following...

    code. :) I hope that before too much longer, I'll be able to make an announcement of what I've been working on. ;)

    Is your project just something specific to your BBS? Or is it something that other systems may be able to adopt?

    It should be something that everyone will be able to use. Of course I haven't tried compiling it on Windows yet, so that may take some adjustments... :)


    ---

    Black Panther(RCS)
    Castle Rock BBS

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Castle Rock BBS - bbs.castlerockbbs.com (21:1/186)
  • From apam@21:1/126 to Black Panther on Mon May 4 19:46:46 2020
    On 04 May 2020, apam said the following...

    please excuse my lack of quoting I'm on my phone at the
    hospital so it's hard to compose a message.

    I hope everything is alright on your end. I don't like hearing
    anyone having to be in the hospital.

    Not really. I'm fine, but our twins may not be.

    --- MagickaBBS v0.13alpha (Linux/x86_64)
    * Origin: HappyLand - telnet://magickabbs.com:2023/ (21:1/126)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to apam on Tue May 5 00:08:02 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 03:46p, apam pondered and said...

    Not really. I'm fine, but our twins may not be.

    Crap - that does not sound good. :(

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to Gamgee on Mon May 4 05:11:22 2020
    Is that "certain group of people" the ones that may tend to lean
    to the *right* of center a little (or a lot)? You're not saying
    that they're not welcome here, are you? Was the network just fine
    as long as it was all lefties?

    Jesus fucking christ get a life.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to ryan on Tue May 5 00:18:59 2020
    On 03 May 2020 at 02:11p, ryan pondered and said...

    But I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

    It's good that you can and do. Thanks.

    In that time, I've sadly seen fsxNet trend from a fun/simple/experimental network into what feels like a worst-of-fidonet analogue, at least in
    this sub. I'm not interested in censoring speech and I'm not interested
    in throwing down the banhammer unnecessarily, it's just...sad.

    avoided by default. But now I generally skip reading mail on fsxNet altogether, and it's because a certain group of people has decided to respond to every single post they disagree with, in a fashion that's intended to incite.

    I think there are certainly are a small number of folks posting at the
    moment with strong political views on some subjects. The topics seem to be
    USA politics and COVID-19 related theories. While there is some of this going on I don't necessarily feel it's representative of the totally of what's
    being posted in this echo. There's certainly conversations going on in other FSX echos that are not that way inclined.

    fsxNet no longer has much of a sense of community, and the "signal" of

    Respectfully disagree with you on that one. I come here most days and still find and enjoy chatting with people I have known now for years since fsxNet started. But if you see it differently that's your view and I respect that
    even if I don't completely agree with it.

    Maybe this is the way things go. Maybe free and unmoderated speech will always create a cesspool of communication. Maybe we should create subs specifically for people to go after one another and stop tolerating it in more "general" channels. Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like

    I think community and group moderation has worked well for the most part. Perhaps I am being naive in thinking it can continue to do so? Dunno. But i think if people want to engage in conversations that are removed from the political realms of specific countries they can do so by starting up a thread about another subject and/or contributing to to.

    more "general" channels. Whatever the solution, fsxNet doesn't feel like the same network of a year ago, and it's a shame, because I used to look forward to loggin in each day and catching up with everyone in our
    little virtual community.

    You're right the community and the network continues to evolve as some come
    and go etc. I agree it may not suit everyone but the underlying goals
    and values of the network remain and those I like to think can act as a
    agreed guide for all who participate in the network.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ryan and for still taking the time to read
    and engage in the network even if it may be less often than before.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to apam on Tue May 5 00:29:15 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 11:16a, apam pondered and said...


    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok as long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down
    disrespectful chat by ignoring it.

    You make some very good points.

    I wonder too because there are more folks active in this network it becomes a space for people who are looking for such debate to gravitate to.

    It also occurs to me that just because someone (sysop) signs up and joins fsxNet (and from my POV they agree to play by the stated values and goals set up to create guidance for accepted behavior in this community) it doesn't
    stop a user of a BBS to login and post content perhaps intended to do
    anything but promote cordiality. That's a harder issue to solve. Humm

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    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Black Panther on Tue May 5 00:38:42 2020
    On 03 May 2020 at 08:22p, Black Panther pondered and said...

    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down disrespectful chat by ignoring it.

    I would have to agree with you on that one. I don't get into political discussions. Period. My views are my own, and nobody will change my
    mind, or am I going to try to change anyone else's.

    I'm very respectful of those thoughts.

    Yeah I admit if there was an echo created so people could be told to 'take it to X echo' are all we really doing just creating a space for stuff we don't really want to condone in the first place? I tend to think yes.

    The trick is for people who are unhappy to act in way the does not condone further what they dislike.

    Silence (not posting a reply to someone )is one option but perhaps it's not
    the most effective one at times. I guess (just thinking out loud) we could
    have some agreed line that says 'Hey x, thanks for sharing those thoughts but the politics network is the 3rd door on the left with the letter F on it :) " and then ceasing to engage with the poster.

    I confess I am wary of having to be jury, judge and executioner for every
    case of something posted here that someone takes unbridge with. generally I have not had to do that much anyways and it usually been off the back of some community wide response when a number of regular posters all tend to respond with the same level of unhappiness about whatever X is.

    I'm rambling now.


    That's also part of the reason I've been kinda quiet on here. First, I'm SO tired of the discussions of this virus, so I just skip any message
    with that subject. Second, I won't get into the political debates.

    I'm tired too of virus news on the news I watch and listen to. It feels like there's nothing much else being covered these days. To be fair though it's
    such a big global event with so much death and upheaval I can understand why
    it is.. but yeah, still barks...


    I've been spending my free time either coding, or writing/changing different scripts for the BBS. Lately, I would just put on Pink Floyd
    and code. :) I hope that before too much longer, I'll be able to make an announcement of what I've been working on. ;)

    Sounds good!


    It really is, and I completely understand it. That's why I just skip over most of the messages lately. There have actually been times where I
    needed to check which echo I was reading, because it was so much like fidonet...

    :(

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From alterego@21:2/116 to ryan on Tue May 5 00:21:35 2020
    Re: Re: Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet
    By: ryan to Gamgee on Mon May 04 2020 01:11 am

    Jesus fucking christ get a life.

    Can you just next over messages and think/scream/yell this to yourself instead of posting it. Not really interseted in reading stuff like this.
    ...δεσπ

    ... You don't get once-in-a-lifetime offers like this every day.
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  • From Oli@21:3/102 to Dean Galloway on Mon May 4 17:20:12 2020
    Dean wrote (2020-05-03):

    I think being an election year in the USA and the expanding node base, another sub for politics would be a great idea, but it's not my call. Maybe we could take a survey, maybe it's not what they want or a
    direction they want to see fsxnet going. Great intro discussion though.

    an US_POLITICS only echo, please. :).

    ---
    * Origin: (21:3/102)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to The Godfather on Tue May 5 02:16:00 2020
    On 05-03-20 21:56, The Godfather wrote to apam <=-

    This brings me to your larger point that drew me into this discussion
    -- We are all, in one way or another, struggling to deal with the
    COVID19 crisis right now and when one looks around, more good has come
    of it then bad. It's brought people closer together, such as more
    people like me rediscovering my roots of BBS'ing and/or the various

    BBSing, ham radio, it's all been positively impacted by COVID-19. These activities have turned what could have been a painful transition into a pleasant change of scenery for me. :)

    acts of kindess, and ways communities are trying to connect with
    distance such as bear hunts, heart hunts, for kids within a
    neighborhood. Sine the beginning of COVID19, I have not thought of politics. I'm frankly disgusted with EITHER left or right politicians that utilize this crises for agendas, talking points, election hopes,
    and more overall holding up dollars people drastically need to push political agendas.

    For the post part, Australian politicians have focused on dealing with the crisis and have been reasonably aligned - sure there's some difference in detail between the parties, but there's no chasm between them on the basic measures taken. I really dislike our current government, but as for handling the COVID-19 issue, they've done a reasonable job - sure they've made a couple of mistakes, but who doesn't? Credit where credit is due. :) The case numbers we have in Australia (around 7000 cases, 95 deaths at this point in time) is evidence that something is going right.

    Generalizing an entire group of suppporters of LEFT or RIGHT parties
    with names designed to insult, pick fights, or or discredit ones
    intellect or character, doesn't seem fitting for the present times we
    live -- and it's "so" 2016.

    I agree, and such stereotyping is unhelpful and offensive.


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  • From Gamgee@21:2/138 to ryan on Mon May 4 11:27:00 2020
    ryan wrote to Gamgee <=-

    Is that "certain group of people" the ones that may tend to lean
    to the *right* of center a little (or a lot)? You're not saying
    that they're not welcome here, are you? Was the network just fine
    as long as it was all lefties?

    Jesus fucking christ get a life.

    Wow, what a great response!

    You snip 90% of my post, because you can't respond to the points I
    made, and then let loose with the above.

    I thought you guys prided yourselves on your "tolerance".


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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@21:4/122 to Avon on Mon May 4 10:57:00 2020
    Avon wrote to Black Panther <=-

    Yeah I admit if there was an echo created so people could be told to
    'take it to X echo' are all we really doing just creating a space for stuff we don't really want to condone in the first place? I tend to
    think yes.

    You've expressed this sentiment before in the past; I'd suggest that condoning/approval isn't the intention, rather sorting message areas to make it easier for people to read what interests them is.

    I'm also taking what everyone takes with a grain of salt these days. Even in day-to-day interactions with strangers, nerves are more fried, stress levels are higher, and tempers are strained. I had a woman yell at my dog recently while on a walk for coming to close to her dog. We were on opposite sides of the street and I used it as a lesson for my daughter that people don't know what's going to happen, that scares them, and people don't act like they normally do at other times.


    ... Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
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  • From tenser@21:1/101 to Avon on Tue May 5 07:43:52 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 08:29p, Avon pondered and said...

    On 04 May 2020 at 11:16a, apam pondered and said...

    I think having a political chat echo is a bad idea because it kind of legitimises the type of chat we've seen. Political discussions are ok long as they are respectful. I think the key is to shut down disrespectful chat by ignoring it.

    You make some very good points.

    I wonder too because there are more folks active in this network it becomes a space for people who are looking for such debate to gravitate to.

    Back in the USENET days, there were dedicated "flame"
    groups dedicated to, well, arguing and insulting one
    another. This actually worked well, "take to to $foo.flame"
    was a common refrain when things start to get out of
    hand; one could set a "follow-ups to" header to point
    to the flame group and rejoinders to the discussion
    would automatically be shunted away from the main group.

    This worked well, but relied on two things:

    1. The technical ability to redirect traffic.
    This basically doesn't exist in the FTN
    world.
    2. A community shared sense of "netiquette"
    that made it socially unacceptable to ignore.
    Rules around "netiquette" were highly regarded
    and there was strong social pressure to comply
    with them. While I would argue that there is
    an ethic of etiquette here in FSXNet, there
    isn't the same level of social reinforcement,
    and of course it all fell apart on USENET anyway.

    I would argue that a "FLAME" echo could serve a useful
    purpose of providing a channel for people to argue and,
    well, flame each other all they want. Think of it as
    a social pressure relief valve. But I have no idea how
    one gets people to move to it when conversations start
    to go south. Certainly not in an FTN context.

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  • From Spectre@21:3/101 to Nazferiti on Mon May 4 15:34:00 2020
    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just my two

    They tend to be US based and pretty repetitive. You'll get over it soon ìenough, :) and be wishing for the alternate echo.

    Spec


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  • From ryan@21:1/168 to alterego on Mon May 4 16:28:13 2020
    Can you just next over messages and think/scream/yell this to yourself instead of posting it. Not really interseted in reading stuff like this.

    With respect: no.

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    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to Gamgee on Mon May 4 16:33:12 2020
    You snip 90% of my post, because you can't respond to the points I
    made, and then let loose with the above.

    Dude, you singled a person out, responded as though it was an attack against you (it wasn't) and basically embodied everything I was hoping to start a conversation about that we could all try to avoid moving forward.

    I thought you guys prided yourselves on your "tolerance".

    I'm not going to take the bait. I just wish fsxNet would return to a state it was before people started poisoning the well.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon May 4 16:34:51 2020
    I'm also taking what everyone takes with a grain of salt these days.
    Even in day-to-day interactions with strangers, nerves are more fried, stress levels are higher, and tempers are strained. I had a woman yell
    at my dog recently while on a walk for coming to close to her dog. We
    were on opposite sides of the street and I used it as a lesson for my daughter that people don't know what's going to happen, that scares
    them, and people don't act like they normally do at other times.

    A guy was yelling at me recently because my dog was peeing on a patch of
    grass by the street, which he claimed to be "his" grass since it's by his house. It's not his grass, btw, it belongs to the city.

    He got really irate and then threatened to come to my house and pee on my grass. I told him to go ahead and I'd be waiting, hell, I'd give him my address. He shut up after that hehe.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From Gamgee@21:2/138 to ryan on Mon May 4 19:45:00 2020
    ryan wrote to Gamgee <=-

    I thought you guys prided yourselves on your "tolerance".

    I'm not going to take the bait. I just wish fsxNet would return
    to a state it was before people started poisoning the well.

    Perhaps your over-sensitive-ness makes you think the well is
    poisoned, when it actually is not.

    I suggest you grow some skin and carry on.



    ... Post may contain information unsuitable for overly sensitive persons.
    === MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Linux
    * Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (21:2/138)
  • From HusTler@21:4/10 to Spectre on Mon May 4 19:09:00 2020
    Re: Re: Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet
    By: Spectre to Nazferiti on Mon May 04 2020 11:34 am

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be
    best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just my
    two


    I would like to see more political discussion forums. It's healthy to have heated debates even when they get ugly.

    HusTler
    Havens BBS








    ... One has the right to be wrong in a democracy.

    ---
    ■ Synchronet ■ Havens BBS havens.synchro.net
    * Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to Gamgee on Mon May 4 18:38:11 2020
    Perhaps your over-sensitive-ness makes you think the well is
    poisoned, when it actually is not.

    Gamgee...my original post didn't single any person out but you got super
    salty about it and started calling out other people directly. Please look in
    a mirror before you call people sensitive. Please be just a little bit self aware and stop with creating friction all the time.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From Ogg@21:4/106.21 to HusTler on Mon May 4 21:32:00 2020
    Hello Hustler!

    ** On Monday 04.05.20 - 15:09, HusTler wrote to Spectre:

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be
    best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just my
    two


    I would like to see more political discussion forums. It's healthy to have heated debates even when they get ugly.

    While you're waiting for anything in FSX_NET,

    POLITICS? See: Spooknet, Whispernet, Fidonet

    DEBATE? See: Dovenet, Micronet, Fidonet.

    <g>

    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.43
    * Origin: (} Pointy McPointFace (21:4/106.21)
  • From Al@21:4/106 to HusTler on Mon May 4 19:09:56 2020
    Hello HusTler,

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it
    might be
    best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats
    just my
    two

    I would like to see more political discussion forums. It's healthy
    to have heated debates even when they get ugly.

    There are many places to discuss politics and/or debate.

    I'm on the fence if we want them here in fsxNet.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Ogg on Tue May 5 14:40:35 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 05:32p, Ogg pondered and said...

    While you're waiting for anything in FSX_NET,

    Personally I'm not overly positive towards the idea of a political echo. I
    tend to agree with the sentiments expressed by Apam and Black Panther on that one.

    POLITICS? See: Spooknet, Whispernet, Fidonet
    DEBATE? See: Dovenet, Micronet, Fidonet.

    Looks like there's plenty of othernets around that can accommodate those
    themes :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Weatherman@21:1/132 to Gamgee on Mon May 4 23:27:34 2020

    Just to be clear also on the number of responses - have you
    noticed your pal "Phoobar"? He probably posts more than the next
    10 most active people combined, and nearly EVERY single post of
    his contains "the Orange POS" or similar language. Do you give
    him and that kind of behavior a pass? Would you require a
    "righty" to not feel like they should respond to such baiting?

    Agreed, and he isn't the only one. I typically avoid political discussions online too, because it always turns into a pissing match where no one changes their mind either way and is a waste of time.

    However, those types of non-stop baiting are just over the top and require a response. I'm fine with putting this entire thing to rest - but it is a two-way street.

    - Mark
       
    --- WWIVToss v.1.52
    * Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (21:1/132.0)
  • From Nazferiti@21:3/107 to Spectre on Mon May 4 23:58:33 2020
    On 04 May 2020, Spectre said the following...

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just my two

    They tend to be US based and pretty repetitive. You'll get over it soon enough, :) and be wishing for the alternate echo.

    Spec


    *** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
    --- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
    * Origin: Scrawled in haste at The Lower Planes (21:3/101)

    I'd probably read the message in another base, but it helps to keep converstaions straight if they were in their own base. Doesn't really bother me too much either way. I think the people here seem friendly enough.

    - Mike

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Arcadia BBS | Putnam, CT | telnet.arcadiabbs.com (21:3/107)
  • From Black Panther@21:1/186 to apam on Mon May 4 23:07:22 2020
    On 04 May 2020, apam said the following...

    I hope everything is alright on your end. I don't like hearing
    anyone having to be in the hospital.

    Not really. I'm fine, but our twins may not be.

    Sending you good thoughts and vibes.


    ---

    Black Panther(RCS)
    Castle Rock BBS

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Castle Rock BBS - bbs.castlerockbbs.com (21:1/186)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to ryan on Tue May 5 17:16:21 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 08:21p, alterego pondered and said...

    128
    Re: Re: Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet
    By: ryan to Gamgee on Mon May 04 2020 01:11 am

    Jesus fucking christ get a life.

    Can you just next over messages and think/scream/yell this to yourself instead of posting it. Not really interseted in reading stuff like this. ...δεσπ

    Oh boy... let me address this topic NOT all 1996, 18 year old Paulie style...

    First, the OP Ryan's reflection posting was written well, was respectful and still conveyed his message. I applaud him for bringing up the topic.

    2nd- if i had to guess, *I* am one of the mod right-leaning posters, although I'm not a Trump supporter... *I* would say I'm middle... but I completely
    could see someone taking my ideas about this COVID virus as 'right wing'.
    Truth is, I am beat by this virus...

    I heard someone post that mostly GOOD has come of it - I couldn't more disagree, while after reading that I'm striving to see SOME of the good
    things concerning coronavirus. They are hard to see, and it really takes a
    good person to be able to have all good takeaways.

    I'll recognize and admit, with a tiny explanation that this world historic emergency has hit me and my family hard. My work changed - self-employed,
    told to just... STOP earning. My girlfriends family had a COVID death... 43 years old and had a massive stroke. We thought it was just a fluke stroke... and then the news about COVID & stroke in middle ages started coming up; followed by a positive test a day before he passed...

    Sometimes when I read something that is against how I feel, or what I think needs to be done, I just start mashing keys. (Lol, a nice and quick way to
    lose IQ points too - no test needed!)

    My point here was... I hear you Ryan. Dunno if I was a main offender, but - I actually can see your point of view; and secondarily his post was really fair and honest for HIM. I want fsxNet to be badasss... Avon GAVE me fsx; helped
    me rekindle a long lost LOVE of BBSing... for that, and the other community members I joined, even if a loosely knit group of associates who are all interested in BBSes, I'm willing to think before I mash keys.

    Ryan spoke [his] truth. I respect that and can keep some of my posts in check... I'll chime in when needed, but I think the point is.. we're not 16 anymore.

    Gotcha, Ryan.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From apam@21:1/126 to Black Panther on Tue May 5 15:21:56 2020
    On 04 May 2020, apam said the following...

    I hope everything is alright on your end. I don't like
    hearing BP> anyone having to be in the hospital.

    Not really. I'm fine, but our twins may not be.

    Sending you good thoughts and vibes.

    Thanks.

    Andrew

    --- MagickaBBS v0.13alpha (Linux/x86_64)
    * Origin: HappyLand - telnet://magickabbs.com:2023/ (21:1/126)
  • From Black Panther@21:1/186 to Avon on Mon May 4 23:37:02 2020
    On 04 May 2020, Avon said the following...

    Yeah I admit if there was an echo created so people could be told to
    'take it to X echo' are all we really doing just creating a space for stuff we don't really want to condone in the first place? I tend to
    think yes.

    I think there are enough outlets for discussions on politics. Just in
    Fidonet, there are at least 2, and that's not counting the Fidonews echo. :)

    Silence (not posting a reply to someone )is one option but perhaps it's not the most effective one at times. I guess (just thinking out loud) we

    It's probably not the most effective, but it's the easiest to implement. :) I'll do that during in-person conversations as well. Usually after a few minutes, someone will comment on how I'm not contributing. That's when I'll comment that I won't get into a political discussion.

    I'm tired too of virus news on the news I watch and listen to. It feels like there's nothing much else being covered these days. To be fair
    though it's such a big global event with so much death and upheaval I
    can understand why it is.. but yeah, still barks...

    It is, and I understand that. But that's also why I don't watch the news, or read the news online. None of the news channels give you the actual news anymore, it's all what they feel you should think about the topic. Take me
    back to the days where the news consisted of giving people the facts.


    ---

    Black Panther(RCS)
    Castle Rock BBS

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Castle Rock BBS - bbs.castlerockbbs.com (21:1/186)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to ryan on Tue May 5 17:38:45 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 08:21p, alterego pondered and said...

    Re: Re: Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet
    By: ryan to Gamgee on Mon May 04 2020 01:11 am

    Jesus fucking christ get a life.

    Can you just next over messages and think/scream/yell this to yourself instead of posting it. Not really interseted in reading stuff like this. ...δεσπ

    I understand Alterego's offense to words, but I wanted to post and say...

    Ryans post was actually well-written, honest and an attempt to benefit
    fsxNet. It was his truth.

    If I had to guess, ryan and i are different... however, I can respect and realize isssues thru an intelligent post...

    This COVID-19 has REALLY been hard on me. My career; just STOP earning. My family; we experienced a corona death... my girlfriends ex-brother-in-law had
    a massive stroke @ age 43... we thought it was just a stroke and then the
    news about it being an effect- one day before he passed he was tested
    positive. The shutdown; IVE BEEN INDOORS FOR TOO LONG!

    Point is, my views and ryans are prolly different ... I am guilty of just smashing buttons when a post or view rubs me the wrong way.

    Ryan, I'm aware and your post led me to think of others.. I'll still post replies, but maybe with less quickness... less 1993-ness; we arent 18
    anymore.

    I want fsxNet to remain AWESOME. Avon GAVE me fsx... the gift of a rekindled love of BBSing - and I just wanted to take Ryans side, his post was from the heart...

    I hope I wasn't one of the MAIN offenders; hell, I hope those same people
    STILL post too - theres a balance here, or there SHOULD be.

    Ryan - got it, hear ya, I'm actually with ya... fsxNet is so much more than a world event; but I also think its hard times for all of us. Thanks for
    bringing up the obvious, Ryan...

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to ryan on Tue May 5 17:40:08 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 12:28p, ryan pondered and said...

    Can you just next over messages and think/scream/yell this to yoursel instead of posting it. Not really interseted in reading stuff like th

    With respect: no.

    LOL, and to take up for alterego... i dont KNOW, but it seems he just dont
    like the foul language and... i think both of ya'll are on the same team. :P

    Can we hug it out, fsx??

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to HusTler on Tue May 5 17:46:11 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 03:09p, HusTler pondered and said...

    Re: Re: Reflection on 18 months of fsxNet
    By: Spectre to Nazferiti on Mon May 04 2020 11:34 am

    Though I enjoy a good political discussion, I agree that it might be best to create a new echo to specifically cater to this. Thats just m two


    I would like to see more political discussion forums. It's healthy to have heated debates even when they get ugly.

    HusTler
    Havens BBS

    So long as theres intelligence underneath.
    I'be been guilty of just rapping our a response like it was 1993.... and I
    were 18. Just ME, but yes I love debate too - I'll just make sure I re-read
    and I do agree that less hate and more facts is a good thing. [Not you.. but.]

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to mastermind on Tue May 5 01:23:26 2020
    Gotcha, Ryan.

    Thanks for having my back. And the post wasn't directed at anyone in particular, and that was on purpose. Hell, I'm probably guilty of getting caught up in things myself once in a while. Sorry about the COVID loss and other things like livelihood...what a world we're in right now :(

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From ryan@21:1/168 to mastermind on Tue May 5 01:25:25 2020
    Can we hug it out, fsx??

    Fair enough. :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/13 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: monterey bbs (21:1/168)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Al on Wed May 6 00:01:00 2020
    On 05-04-20 15:09, Al wrote to HusTler <=-

    There are many places to discuss politics and/or debate.

    I'm on the fence if we want them here in fsxNet.

    I can live without it. US politics in particular seems to be particularly divisive, and both sides are as bad as each other. We're better off without it, and if we're going to discourage the discussion of US politics, then we'll have to cover all countries to be fair.


    ... The word 'meaningful' when used today is nearly always meaningless.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Weatherman on Wed May 6 00:08:00 2020
    On 05-04-20 19:27, Weatherman wrote to Gamgee <=-

    Agreed, and he isn't the only one. I typically avoid political discussions online too, because it always turns into a pissing match
    where no one changes their mind either way and is a waste of time.

    I find political discussions, particularly US politics are like trying to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    And that's from all sides of politics.


    ... Casserole is just another word for leftovers.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to mastermind on Wed May 6 00:27:00 2020
    On 05-05-20 13:16, mastermind wrote to ryan <=-

    I'll recognize and admit, with a tiny explanation that this world
    historic emergency has hit me and my family hard. My work changed - self-employed, told to just... STOP earning. My girlfriends family had
    a COVID death... 43 years old and had a massive stroke. We thought it
    was just a fluke stroke... and then the news about COVID & stroke in middle ages started coming up; followed by a positive test a day before
    he passed...

    Ouch, I can understand why you can't see any good coming from this virus, very understandable. And sorry for your loss.

    For me, the virus has had significant impacts, but nothing I can't adapt to. Our income is relatively independent of the economy, and the activities that have been curtailed by the virus have either been able to proceed in a limited way (training relatively unaffected, some virtual competition), or have workable substitutes (e.g. ham radio instead of meeting people over coffee). But we also have relatively few cases - the vast majority of Victorian cases are in Melbourne, very few out here.

    And some of my changes of activities have brought me into closer contact with the neighbours, which is a positive outcome. :)

    But that illustrates that each of us has a different experience with this virus - some good, some bad, some indifferent. There was a great post on Facebook recently emphasising that the COVID-19 experience is different for each of us, and we need to be kind to each other.

    Sometimes when I read something that is against how I feel, or what I think needs to be done, I just start mashing keys. (Lol, a nice and
    quick way to lose IQ points too - no test needed!)

    :D


    ... Always make sure you understand completely what you're jumping into.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Tiny@21:1/130 to Avon on Tue May 5 15:53:52 2020
    Quoting Avon to Ogg <=-

    Personally I'm not overly positive towards the idea of a political
    echo. I tend to agree with the sentiments expressed by Apam and Black Panther on that one.

    Agree, however if the majority want's it I simply won't read it. I
    skip 90% of the threads currently in FSX_GEN as they are just politics
    / flame wars anyway. It's just like the old days, lotsa opnions and
    everyone has a right to theirs. I keep political chat for idiotbook
    where I can get under the skin of my RL friends. LOL

    Shawn

    ... I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (21:1/130)
  • From Tiny@21:1/130 to Vk3jed on Tue May 5 15:57:08 2020
    Quoting Vk3jed to Weatherman <=-

    to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    I used to have a T-Shirt with that saying on it as a child.

    Shawn

    ... Don't go to work, there's a lot to do.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - telnet://tinysbbs.com:3023 (21:1/130)
  • From Al@21:4/106 to Vk3jed on Tue May 5 16:35:54 2020
    Hello Vk3jed,

    I can live without it. US politics in particular seems to be
    particularly divisive, and both sides are as bad as each other. We're better off without it, and if we're going to discourage the discussion
    of US politics, then we'll have to cover all countries to be fair.


    We have a "right" here in Canada also. Spewing things like "Wuhan virus" in their writings. They are getting a strong backlash but they are unapoligetic.

    Politics in any nation can get stinky.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    --- GoldED+/LNX
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@21:4/122 to Al on Tue May 5 12:51:00 2020
    Al wrote to HusTler <=-

    There are many places to discuss politics and/or debate.

    I'm on the fence if we want them here in fsxNet.

    Those discussions are here. Now. The time for debating whether or not we
    would like them here has passed.


    ... Which parts can be grouped?
    --- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
    * Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org (21:4/122)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to ryan on Wed May 6 16:26:29 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 09:25p, ryan pondered and said...

    Can we hug it out, fsx??

    Fair enough. :)

    After the virus, of course... jesus; 'new normal'

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Mickey@21:1/156.1 to Al on Tue May 5 20:37:14 2020
    On Mon 4-May-2020 3:09p, Al@21:4/106.0 said to Hustler:

    Hello HusTler,

    There are many places to discuss politics and/or debate.

    I'm on the fence if we want them here in fsxNet.

    Since the world has become so political, and since so many people seem to want to slag it out endlessly on the internet anyway, why not have a boxing ring, err.. I mean.. echo, to do just that. Hell, I've been on Spacebook so long, and
    have deleted so many 'friends', I've got almost 5000 friends who agree with everything I have to say on the subject. :-)

    Mick

    *<<<--- Tradewars 2002 - CentralOntarioRemote.com:2002 --->>>*
    *\\\--- C.O.R. IRC - CentralOntarioRemote.com 6667 ---///*
    --- CNet/5
    * Origin: Central Ontario Remote BBS (21:1/156.1)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to Vk3jed on Wed May 6 16:33:20 2020
    and both sides are as bad as each other.

    And this is the most true statement of all... problem is, both sides think
    the other is just as... bad.

    I try to remember this as I engage in the conversation; but its hard to do.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Spectre@21:3/101 to Vk3jed on Wed May 6 13:42:00 2020
    I find political discussions, particularly US politics are like trying to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    Sticking to the animal theme. Vote [1] for the Donkey. :P I find I do that ìmore and more these days... :/ Thats got to say something about our ì(Australian) political world.

    Spec


    *** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
    --- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
    * Origin: Scrawled in haste at The Lower Planes (21:3/101)
  • From Weatherman@21:1/132 to Vk3jed on Wed May 6 00:57:16 2020

    I find political discussions, particularly US politics are like trying to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    And that's from all sides of politics.

    Agreed - and good analogy. :)

    - Mark
       
    --- WWIVToss v.1.52
    * Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (21:1/132.0)
  • From Weatherman@21:1/132 to Al on Wed May 6 01:18:18 2020

    We have a "right" here in Canada also. Spewing things like "Wuhan virus"
    in their writings. They are getting a strong backlash but they are unapoligetic.
    Politics in any nation can get stinky.

    Not to be rude, but this virus was clearly from Wuhan.

    - Mark
       
    --- WWIVToss v.1.52
    * Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (21:1/132.0)
  • From Al@21:4/106.1 to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed May 6 04:55:59 2020
    On 05 May 2020, poindexter FORTRAN said the following...

    Those discussions are here. Now. The time for debating whether or not we would like them here has passed.

    Yep, it is. I think this is just a passing fad. We can't make the choice for anyone what they choose to bring up here but we could ask them to take
    unwanted topics to another area or another net.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/29 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)
  • From Al@21:4/106.1 to Mickey on Wed May 6 05:01:31 2020
    On 05 May 2020, Mickey said the following...

    Since the world has become so political, and since so many people seem
    to want to slag it out endlessly on the internet anyway, why not have a boxing ring, err.. I mean.. echo, to do just that. Hell, I've been on Spacebook so long, and have deleted so many 'friends', I've got almost 5000 friends who agree with everything I have to say on the subject. :-)

    It's one possibility. It doesn't really fit the fun, simple and experimental nature of this net. We've made it through 4 or five years now with not much
    of any political debate here. I say we shoot for another 4 or five years of
    fun and friendship without letting politics get in the way.

    Ttyl :-),
    Al

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/29 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Tiny on Wed May 6 20:14:00 2020
    On 05-05-20 11:57, Tiny wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Quoting Vk3jed to Weatherman <=-

    to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    I used to have a T-Shirt with that saying on it as a child.

    It's done the rounds many times I think. :)

    Shawn

    ... Don't go to work, there's a lot to do.

    Hahaha. :D


    ... DEVICEHIGH: Your device driver on drugs.
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    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Al on Wed May 6 20:28:00 2020
    On 05-05-20 12:35, Al wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    We have a "right" here in Canada also. Spewing things like "Wuhan
    virus" in their writings. They are getting a strong backlash but they
    are unapoligetic.

    Every country has their left and right wings. Our current government here is right leaning (ironically, the Liberal party - but "liberal" in this context means economic and "small government", not social).

    Politics in any nation can get stinky.

    True to some extent. :)


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  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to mastermind on Wed May 6 20:31:00 2020
    On 05-06-20 12:33, mastermind wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    and both sides are as bad as each other.

    And this is the most true statement of all... problem is, both sides
    think the other is just as... bad.

    I try to remember this as I engage in the conversation; but its hard to do.

    Sometimes it's better not to engage. ;)


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  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Spectre on Wed May 6 20:34:00 2020
    On 05-06-20 09:42, Spectre wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I find political discussions, particularly US politics are like trying to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    Sticking to the animal theme. Vote [1] for the Donkey. :P I find I do that more and more these days... :/ Thats got to say something about
    our (Australian) political world.

    Haha, well does anyone outside Australia know what a donkey vote is? ;)


    ... Blood is thicker than water - and much tastier.
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  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Weatherman on Wed May 6 20:41:00 2020
    On 05-05-20 20:57, Weatherman wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I find political discussions, particularly US politics are like trying to teach a pig to sing - it's a waste of time and annoys the pig.

    And that's from all sides of politics.

    Agreed - and good analogy. :)

    Yeah it is very apt for political "debates". :)


    ... All the stats in the world don't mean as much as a human feeling.
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  • From tenser@21:1/101 to Avon on Thu May 7 07:15:24 2020
    On 05 May 2020 at 10:40a, Avon pondered and said...

    Personally I'm not overly positive towards the idea of a political echo.
    I tend to agree with the sentiments expressed by Apam and Black Panther
    on that one.

    POLITICS? See: Spooknet, Whispernet, Fidonet
    DEBATE? See: Dovenet, Micronet, Fidonet.

    Looks like there's plenty of othernets around that can accommodate those themes :)

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Spectre@21:3/101 to Vk3jed on Thu May 7 13:15:00 2020
    Haha, well does anyone outside Australia know what a donkey vote is?

    I figured it wouldn't be peculiar to Oz, but I guess you never know.

    Spec


    --- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
    * Origin: (21:3/101)
  • From Spectre@21:3/101 to tenser on Thu May 7 13:36:00 2020
    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content in these
    networks and less political/current events. But that's just me.

    I haven't seen a good OS/Who eats MS-SOD for breakfast discussion in years!

    :)

    Spec


    *** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
    --- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
    * Origin: Scrawled in haste at The Lower Planes (21:3/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to tenser on Fri May 8 00:05:05 2020
    On 07 May 2020 at 03:15a, tenser pondered and said...

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    There can be, we just have to chose to post it I think. It sounds blindingly simple to say but I really thing that's the numb of it.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Black Panther on Fri May 8 00:17:13 2020
    On 04 May 2020 at 07:37p, Black Panther pondered and said...

    I think there are enough outlets for discussions on politics. Just in Fidonet, there are at least 2, and that's not counting the Fidonews
    echo. :)

    Yep agreed.

    It's probably not the most effective, but it's the easiest to implement. :) I'll do that during in-person conversations as well. Usually after a few minutes, someone will comment on how I'm not contributing. That's
    when I'll comment that I won't get into a political discussion.

    Wise man. In a verbal chat that tactic works well but in text chats the horse can bolt if you have not put up a sign at the entrance to the racetrack I think.

    news, or read the news online. None of the news channels give you the actual news anymore, it's all what they feel you should think about the topic. Take me back to the days where the news consisted of giving
    people the facts.

    Here in NZ we have a national broadcaster and a privately owned channel. I
    feel both are balanced and not pushing any kind of political addenda. It
    shows in that both main political parties come under equal scrutiny.

    There are 1-2 radio stations that are clearly leaning towards one or other
    end of the political spectrum and I give those a miss for the same reasons.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Tiny on Fri May 8 00:27:19 2020
    On 05 May 2020 at 11:53a, Tiny pondered and said...

    Agree, however if the majority want's it I simply won't read it. I
    skip 90% of the threads currently in FSX_GEN as they are just politics
    / flame wars anyway. It's just like the old days, lotsa opnions and
    everyone has a right to theirs. I keep political chat for idiotbook
    where I can get under the skin of my RL friends. LOL

    I won't be adding a politics echo. I do think some guidance from me in the infopack is looking warranted. If we want something to read and enjoy we're
    all going to have to post some stuff that's of interest I think. It sounds so simple I think I may even be able to do that :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Spectre on Thu May 7 18:24:00 2020
    On 05-07-20 09:15, Spectre wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Haha, well does anyone outside Australia know what a donkey vote is?

    I figured it wouldn't be peculiar to Oz, but I guess you never know.

    Well, what does a "donkey vote" mean to a country that doesn't use a preferential (or proportional) voting system like we do?

    For example a "first past the post" system where you only have to tick one box?

    Anyway, it's definitely best known in Australia, according to Wikipedia. :)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_vote


    ... I didn't climb to the top of the food chain just to eat vegetables.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to tenser on Thu May 7 23:53:00 2020
    On 05-07-20 03:15, tenser wrote to Avon <=-

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    Easily fixed, let's start posting technical stuff.

    Well, I may have a weekend of technical tinkering. I've got caught up in the COVID-19 stuff. I've come down with something, which I suspect is just a simple cold. However, government policy here is that every respiratory illness should be tested, and currently there's a blitz on testing. So after checking with the hotline, I got tested first thing this morning, which now means mandatory isolation until at least my results come through, hopefully early next week.

    First cab off the rank might be my ATV transmitter (1250 MHz). I'm not sure if it's developing the power it should. Got hold of a suitable power meter last week, and will try some tests on it. I can also test the PA that I have for it, on both the transmiter and also using my HT as a known good source of 1250 MHz. :)


    ... If(crash){grab_ankles();kiss_butt_goodbye();}
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    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Spectre on Thu May 7 23:54:00 2020
    On 05-07-20 09:36, Spectre wrote to tenser <=-

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content in these
    networks and less political/current events. But that's just me.

    I haven't seen a good OS/Who eats MS-SOD for breakfast discussion in years!

    Haha the good old Messy-DOS. ;)


    ... Do you want graphics? NO, and quit asking me!
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Dean Galloway@21:3/108 to Vk3jed on Thu May 7 08:38:34 2020
    On 05-06-20 09:42, Spectre wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Sticking to the animal theme. Vote [1] for the Donkey. :P I find I
    do
    that more and more these days... :/ Thats got to say something about
    our (Australian) political world.

    Haha, well does anyone outside Australia know what a donkey vote is? ;)


    Yes, but I was born in Australia. Not really a factor here in the US as voting is a right so you can wave it if you want to.

    --- D'Bridge 4
    * Origin: Buckeye Telegraph (21:3/108)
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@21:4/122 to Vk3jed on Thu May 7 11:00:00 2020
    Vk3jed wrote to Spectre <=-

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content in these
    networks and less political/current events. But that's just me.

    I haven't seen a good OS/Who eats MS-SOD for breakfast discussion in years!

    Haha the good old Messy-DOS. ;)


    - Area: nirvana.tech.flame ---------------------------------------------------
    Msg#: 95 Sent Date: 20 Jul 94 12:31:00
    From: SAM UZI Read: Yes Replied: No
    To: JOHN SMITH Mark:
    Subj: OS from heaven ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The duffus John Smith said to the geek Sam Uzi <=-

    it is the ONLY true 32-bit multi-threaded pre-emptive multi-tasking OS around.

    ...except for every single OS around that was written for non-Intel
    CPUs.
    All the neat shit that people claim for the latest hottest Intel OSs
    -- the stuff in your quote there -- is stuff that has always been
    pretty much standard in the Motorola and Risc worlds.

    sure, whatever... but OS/2 is THE BEST Operating System in the world, and
    can run circles around anything else, and it looks nicer, and will cook
    your breakfast for you, and make your coffee, and has 3D-bordered
    icons, and is nifty, and looks cool, and is True-Blue, and can run DOS
    better than DOS, and will take out the garbage, and will get you chicks,
    and has got a 438 Hemi duo-blaster twin quad super injection turbo
    ramjet ultra thingy that makes it go real fast, and it can juggle, and
    it knows when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake, and
    it will end world hunger, and it has fine Corinthian leather, and it
    never makes you say you're sorry, and it always uses a condom, and it
    likes the kinds of pizza and ice cream that you like, and it plays
    bitchin' guitar, and it manages files like there's no tomorrow, and its object-oriented multi-media neural-net shipping next quarter, and it is bullit-proof like 20 layers of #4 Kevlar body armor, and it is so multi-threaded that it weaves a heavy wool blanket while its idleing,
    and my momma told me when I was just a lad that it was the best, and it
    has a heavy manual, and it uses less characters in its name than other
    OS's, and its recomended by four out of five dentists, and it can kick Superman's ass, and it's meaner than the junkyard dog, and its the
    choice of the next generation, and it will let you so many things at the
    same time that your head will spin, and it can dance, and ... oh never
    mind... it sucks...

    ... Now with something EXTRA that TINGLES
    ... Don't break the silence
    --- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
    * Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org (21:4/122)
  • From mastermind@21:1/101 to Vk3jed on Fri May 8 07:06:15 2020
    I try to remember this as I engage in the conversation; but its hard do.

    Sometimes it's better not to engage. ;)

    Well, Avon just make the post about no politics; so regardless, thats what
    I'll be doing from now on... I feel a little bit like the source, a couple months ago I posted a COVID-19 thread; which wasn't political, but I think kinda started the discord and begot OTHER posts that were political. Since I was in the conversation, I couldn't not reply....


    At any rate, I'm done... here at least.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Spectre@21:3/101 to Vk3jed on Fri May 8 05:22:00 2020
    Well, what does a "donkey vote" mean to a country that doesn't use a preferential (or proportional) voting system like we do?

    Voting for the Donkey at the top of the voting card only. :)

    Ackshully I don't tend to vote for the donkey, I tend to not vote.. It's ìeither all the same, or complete wack jobs :)

    Spec


    *** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
    --- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
    * Origin: Scrawled in haste at The Lower Planes (21:3/101)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Dean Galloway on Fri May 8 16:50:00 2020
    On 05-07-20 04:38, Dean Galloway wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Yes, but I was born in Australia. Not really a factor here in the US as voting is a right so you can wave it if you want to.

    Yeah, here it's a duty, effectively.


    ... Is this now?
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    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri May 8 16:59:00 2020
    On 05-07-20 07:00, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    sure, whatever... but OS/2 is THE BEST Operating System in the world,
    and can run circles around anything else, and it looks nicer, and will cook your breakfast for you, and make your coffee, and has 3D-bordered icons, and is nifty, and looks cool, and is True-Blue, and can run DOS better than DOS, and will take out the garbage, and will get you

    I used to love OS/2 back in the day. But good one anyway. :D


    ... To err is human. To forgive is against company policy.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
    --- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From tenser@21:1/101 to Avon on Sat May 9 05:05:49 2020
    On 07 May 2020 at 08:05p, Avon pondered and said...

    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    On 07 May 2020 at 03:15a, tenser pondered and said...

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    There can be, we just have to chose to post it I think. It sounds blindingly simple to say but I really thing that's the numb of it.

    Indeed! Maybe that's a thing to just roll with.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@21:4/122 to Vk3jed on Fri May 8 11:12:00 2020
    Vk3jed wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

    I used to love OS/2 back in the day. But good one anyway. :D

    Sam Uzi was one of my long-time callers in the dial-up days, and he came out with gems like that all the time.

    He claimed that he was the only person qualified to evaluate it because he'd never touched it, and so his judgement was unsullied.


    ... Mary being complete the job bazooka.
    --- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
    * Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org (21:4/122)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat May 9 13:41:00 2020
    On 05-08-20 07:12, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Vk3jed wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

    I used to love OS/2 back in the day. But good one anyway. :D

    Sam Uzi was one of my long-time callers in the dial-up days, and he
    came out with gems like that all the time.

    Haha OK. :)

    He claimed that he was the only person qualified to evaluate it because he'd never touched it, and so his judgement was unsullied.

    Well, I was converted after seeing and reading about OS/2 in action. :)


    ... It's always the OVERtakers who keep the UNDERtakers busy.
    === MultiMail/Win v0.51
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    * Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Vk3jed on Mon May 11 19:14:42 2020
    On 07 May 2020 at 07:53p, Vk3jed pondered and said...

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    Easily fixed, let's start posting technical stuff.

    Good man :)

    A small request please change the subject when you do :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/20 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Vk3jed@21:1/109 to Avon on Mon May 11 20:46:00 2020
    On 05-11-20 15:14, Avon wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    On 07 May 2020 at 07:53p, Vk3jed pondered and said...

    +1. Personally, I wish there was more technical content
    in these networks and less political/current events. But
    that's just me.

    Easily fixed, let's start posting technical stuff.

    Good man :)

    Indeed. :)

    A small request please change the subject when you do :)


    Speaking of technical stuff. ;)


    ... There's a hot place with pitchforks waiting for you...
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  • From The Millionaire@21:1/183 to All on Sat Apr 30 12:27:52 2022
    Have you been in the hospital before? If you have, how was your stay there?

    $ The Millionaire $
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (21:1/183)
  • From nugax@21:1/167 to The Millionaire on Sat Apr 30 16:12:11 2022
    Yea, its not fun.

    -Nugax

    --- CyberBBS v1.0.8 2022/04/30 [LMDE 4/x86_64]
    * Origin: CyberBBS WHQ | http://www.cyberbbs.com (21:1/167)
  • From Gamgee@21:2/138 to nugax on Sat Apr 30 18:01:00 2022
    nugax wrote to The Millionaire <=-

    Yea, its not fun.

    What isn't fun?



    ... A woman drove me to drink, and I never had the courtesy to thank her.
    === MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
    * Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (21:2/138)
  • From Utopian Galt@21:4/108 to The Millionaire on Sun May 1 08:21:56 2022
    BY: The Millionaire(21:1/183)


    Have you been in the hospital before? If you have, how was your stay
    there?
    I havent done any inpatient since I was born. But at the current time I have been working in a hospital for the last 4 months.


    --- WWIV 5.5.1.3261
    * Origin: inland utopia * california * iutopia.duckdns.org:2023 (21:4/108)
  • From The Millionaire@21:1/183 to Utopian Galt on Sun May 1 10:08:43 2022

    BY: The Millionaire(21:1/183)

    I havent done any inpatient since I was born. But at the current time I have been working in a hospital for the last 4 months.

    --- WWIV 5.5.1.3261
    * Origin: inland utopia * california * iutopia.duckdns.org:2023 (21:4/108)


    What do you do as a job?

    $ The Millionaire $
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (21:1/183)
  • From Utopian Galt@21:4/108 to The Millionaire on Sun May 1 10:40:21 2022
    BY: The Millionaire(21:1/183)


    What do you do as a job?
    Patient registration, customer service to make sure patients are on the right floor etc.


    --- WWIV 5.5.1.3261
    * Origin: inland utopia * california * iutopia.duckdns.org:2023 (21:4/108)
  • From Nightfox@21:1/137 to The Millionaire on Mon May 2 18:51:30 2022
    Re: Hospital
    By: The Millionaire to All on Sat Apr 30 2022 12:27 pm

    Have you been in the hospital before?

    I'm pretty sure most people have at one point or another..

    If you have, how was your stay there?

    It varies depending on what was going on, but fairly good most of the time, I suppose. One thing is I feel like it's hard to sleep in a hospital due to the staff who keep coming in to check on you every couple hours or so - but I think I tend to be a light sleeper. I'm definitely appreciative about being checked on in a hospital; I just tend to not sleep well in one.

    Nightfox
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)
  • From Nightfox@21:1/137 to Gamgee on Mon May 2 18:51:53 2022
    Re: Re: Hospital
    By: Gamgee to nugax on Sat Apr 30 2022 06:01 pm

    Yea, its not fun.

    What isn't fun?

    Staying in a hospital..

    Nightfox
    --- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
    * Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)