HD> No, that's why many Nodes have more links, HD> and with the FidoWeb very many links ;-)
Many nodes more then one link, only as a backup. NOT to see if they can get more echos.
HD> Every administrative method is allways incomplete. HD> So after several tries to connect to many systems and list their echo's, HD> you could also ask around if there is an EchoMailArea for subject xxx? HD> If you really want to know what is available in the whole Region, Zone or HD> world, you would need to link to every single FidoNet or AlterNet Node on HD> this planet. HD> And if you are ready, someone could simply delete the wanted echo, HD> or create a different one, pure technically speaking. HD> Off course there is also some politics possible in the way not every node HD> wants to be connectend with every one, or you simply do not get the HD> required password, or the echo is private to or for a "special" or HD> "selected" group. So getting a 100% complete list for every one is an HD> utopia. HD> Then donot try to get that complete, you will fail, and many quirrels HD> about. So leave EchoLists for what is was, a bad nod needed thing.
Many years ago, when I first joined Fidonet (1991), The list was pretty much complete. What was missing was mostly regional echos, related to region and net activities.. Granted, even back then, some did not use the echo list, but not using it was a chance you took and hoped it would not be listed by somebody else. Those days are gone, but some of the pitfals remain. I believe you should have a choice if you wish to list or not, without fearing that somebody would list it as their own., but that is my opinion. What you describe up above, is time consuming and sometimes impossible to do. A master list, even if not quite complete, would be the best way to find out if a certain echo existed. --- SBBSecho 2.25-Win32 * Origin: The Lions Den BBS, Trenton, On, CDN (1:249/303)
