Why do it? Because it's there. We run old computers, why shouldn't some of us be into old protocols as well? [only a 1/2 ;^) here] I've been thinking I want to see what if anything of Usenet (versus NetNews, remember?) was left in the area and hook into it. The first reason that comes to mind is the way non-Bell DSL providers were dropping like flies. Add to that the ever-tightening restrictions on cablemodem terms of service. I'd just like to make sure I've got a back door that'll let me get mail in and out vs. a shell account someplace. The second reason is, admittedly, conspiracy theory type stuff -- I want to be ready to set up an ad hoc net that's a little more resistant to interception and resilient in the event of disruptions. Of course the latter means I should dust off my ham radio license and look and AMPRnet as well... The third and final reason is just because it might be fun to do. Perhaps for an unusual value of "fun" I grant you -- I do seem to rememeber having a heck of a time getting my first feed up and running and I came to the party way, way late -- 1990, as I recall, with a Telebit Trailblazer (Plus?) and a Sun 3/140... Anyway, I'm up for it. Next steps? --Steve. Steve Jones smj(a)spamfree.crash.com (think about it) Aspiring Curmudgeon old: ...!think!liable!steve Crash Computing, Inc. older: steve (at) yoyodyne.mit.edu