[ THIS DOCUMENT IS UNDER REVISION & VERIFICATION OF COLLECTED DATA! ] FidoNet History Timeline The FidoNet Showcase Project (FNSP) Copyrighted (c) 1999-2001 by Frank Robbins Contents ---------------------------------- Technologies & Personal Milestones FidoNet History Timeline FAQ Biography Administrivia ---------------------------------- =========================================================================== =================== TECHNOLOGIES & PERSONAL MILESTONES ==================== =========================================================================== The Bulletin Board System (BBS) History for 1977 is provided to show the early BBS beginning and then the great Fido legacy begins! Active nodes in current nodelist totals below do not count private, hold or the down systems in this count. Accessible systems to the BBS users are counted. Datelines below cover the following Fido resources: BBS History-EchoMail-Echolist-FidoNews-FileBone-FTSC-Historical-IFNA- Magazines-Nodelist-Policies-Routing List-Tom Jennings ? = information is being verified. =========================================================================== === 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 - 1977 === =========================================================================== xx-Aug-1977 Ward Christensen wrote MODEM.ASM. http://www.chinet.com/html/cbbs.html http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/zmodem/ymodem.txt =========================================================================== === 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 - 1978 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1978 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A software program for modulator-demodulator (MODEM) made its first appearance. http://www.broadcloud.com/basics/background.jsp 16-Jan-1978 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ward Christensen, member of a Chicago computer club, pieced together a software program that allowed a Northstar Horizon CP/M personal computer built by his friend, Randy Suess, to answer the telephone using a 110-bps modem. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.04/bbs.html http://www.jps.net/foxnhare/cbbs.html 16-Feb-1978 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first major microcomputer bulletin board system (BBS), run by Ward Christensen and Randy Seuss, goes online. BBS BASICS v2.2 by Pasco BBS Magazine (17-Jan-1997) http://www.geocities.com/j_hellige/HISTORY.HTML http://www.chinet.com/html/cbbs.html =========================================================================== === 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 - 1979 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1979 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hayes markets its first modem which becomes the industry standard for modems. http://www.computerhope.com/history/196080.htm =========================================================================== === 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 - 1981 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1981 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hayes releases the Smartmodem 1200 with transfer rates of 1,200 bits per sec. http://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htm =========================================================================== === 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 - 1983 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1983 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Opus started life, originally called Chameleon. xx-Dec-1983 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet is founded by Tom Jennings. Tom Jennings invents the FidoNet protocols originally exclusively on IBM PCs or compatibles running MS-DOS. Some people involved in the development of FidoNet wanted to use UUCP, but it was thought (erroneously) at the time that the UUCP protocol was proprietary to AT&T, so new protocols were invented. http://www.fnet.fr/history/QuatermanCarl-Early.html The first Fido transmission protocol was Xmodem with a few simple extensions. The current Fido transfer protocol, ZedZap, is Zmodem with a few simple extensions. http://members.iquest.net/~jswartz/jks/professional/history.html 01-Dec-1983 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fido Software v1.0 is released by Tom Jennings. =========================================================================== === 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 - 1984 === =========================================================================== xx-May-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00002 (Tom Jennings Fido #1 and John Madrill Fido #2). The nodelist was born. 1st interstate FidoNet message sent by Tom Jennings from San Francisco, CA USA (Fido #1) to John Madrill in Baltimore, MD USA (Fido #2). Tom Jennings wanted to see if it could be done. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido104.txt FidoNet History Part 1 (08-Feb-1985) xx-Jun-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00029 Non-North American BBS (Fido #33 Rod Smallwood - United Kingdom) listed. First nodelist to be typed on paper by Tom Jennings. Fido Software v7.00 update released by Tom Jennings. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido104.txt xx-Aug-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Routing began. FidoNet History Part 1 (08-Feb-1985) xx-Sep-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00050 xx-Sep-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Kaplan accepted responsibility for administration of FidoNet. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido210.txt 09-Nov-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00100 23-Nov-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00107 xx-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nodelist.exe is developed and released by John Warren. 04-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews - 1st weekly FidoNet Newsletter published by Tom Jennings. 1st published Routing List in FidoNews. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido101.txt 07-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00123 Non-North American BBS (Fido #117 Jim Filgo - Indonesia) listed. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido104.txt 10-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fido v10a 1/2 bugfix released by Tom Jennings. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido102.txt 24-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1st intercontinental FidoNet message sent by Jim Filgo from Jakarta, Indonesia (Fido #117) to DECUS Central (Mike Mellinger, Jon Wichman, Ken Kaplan) in St Louis, Missouri USA (Fido #51) http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido104.txt 28-Dec-1984 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00132 =========================================================================== === 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 - 1985 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Echomail was conceived in Dallas at a Pizza party. Later that year, Opus v0.0 was released. 04-Jan-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00137 Only nodelist.004 in archive for 1985 reference. Non-North American BBS (Fido #348 Conny Jonsson - Sweden) listed. Non-North American BBS (Fido #349 Lennart Svensson - Sweden) listed. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido104.txt 16-Jan-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fido bumper stickers ready for sale by Tom Jennings. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido202.txt 08-Feb-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet History Part 1 released by Tom Jennings. xx-Apr-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because we have already reached our present limit, we have declared a moratorium on new node assignments. You will NOT receive any new NODELIST.NNN until v10h is ready for distribution. At that time, a new NODELIST will be published and distributed. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido210.txt Plans were announced for the decentralizing of control of the net into regions and networks. Ken Kaplin and Ben Baker organized the net into regions. 01-Apr-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews implemented a Calendar of Events under Notices to inform SysOps of important dates which not to miss. Created by Thom Henderson in his first newsletter as Editor. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido208.txt Tom Henderson became the editor of FidoNews then called Fid0XXX stating with issue 208. 11-Apr-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ezra Shapiro & Thom Henderson spoke at the McDonnell Douglas Recreational Computer Club (MDC/RCC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Informal "FidoNet meeting" held with St. Louis SysOps (Ken Kaplan, Ben Baker, Tony Clark, Jon Wichman, Terry Mueller, Jack H.*), Ezra Shapiro & Thom Henderson in Ken Kaplan's living room for 11 hours. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido210.txt xx-May-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fido Software v10i update released by Tom Jennings. NODELIST.EXE released handling up to 700 nodes. This is important as I am told we now have 500 nodes! http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido213.txt 09-May-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Network Changes And Fido Version 10i released by Tom Jennings. Fido Software v10j update released by Tom Jennings. 03-Jun-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multinet Fido is slowly approaching. The local net hosts and regional coordinators should be receiving a "starter kit" in the mail from St Louis soon, if you haven't got it already. Ken Kaplan and Ben Baker have been busily carving up the country into regions and assigning numbers to them, and I guess they've got it finalized by now. They also managed to write a couple of articles about all of this, including the promised piece on what it means to be a regional coordinator. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido216.txt Ben Baker and Ken Kaplin published an article defining the duties of Network and Regional Coordinators 12-Jun-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Start of Multinet Fido. Make sure you have Fido v10i. Stay in net 1 until this date, then switch over to your new net number. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido214.txt http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido215.txt http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido217.txt Fidonet adopted the use of Regional recorders and officialy switches from the old style node numbers to the numbering scheme we use today. Entry from first RC list Region 14 Mid_West -- John Prichard 61 14/0 xx-Jul-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Echomail released by Wynn Wagner. xx-Aug-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every Fido had swapped over to the area code, or net/node architecture. FidoNet History Part 2 (20-Aug-1985) 20-Aug-1985 FidoNet History Part 2 released by Tom Jennings. FidoNet History Part 2 (20-Aug-1985) 23-Sep-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zeta Joins FidoNet - The first non-IBM system to do so, and the 23rd (?) FidoNet node in Australia. http://www.zeta.org.au/timeline.html 30-Sep-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Hartman announced that the UN*X gateway can send messages into Fidonet as well as to Fidonet from Usenet. The gate's address was 132/100. Bob Hartman's net NH_NEt was created. 14-Oct-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thom Henderson discusses the rational for ARC. The nodelist was being compressed with ARC at this time, but FidoNews was not. 21-Oct-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thom Henderson suggests adding distribution of FidoNews to duties of RCs. 28-Oct-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews starts to include a table of contents. 23-Nov-1985 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobbycomputerclub (HCC) holds International SysOp Conference in Utrecht, The Netherlands. HCC paid travel expenses for Tom Jennings to fly from the USA to attend their European club show and to officially open the HCC club-run FidoNet in The Netherlands, consisting of some 15 or 16 Fidos. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido244.txt =========================================================================== === 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 - 1986 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Louis version of nodelist began. Zone numbers not introduced yet. ??Some European Nodes (from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany ??(2 Nodes!), Great Britain, Holland, Switzerland and Italy) were. NEW LISTGEN STATUS -- UNKNOWN! We have been unable to reach John Warren in several weeks now. You may wish to investigate converting to XLATLIST/ROUTGEN. Nodelist 1986276 06-Jan-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide (Policy 1) issued with FidoNews 301. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido301.txt http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/dal/1986-01-06-policy1.txt 16-Feb-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Echomail introduced by Jeff Rush. 27-Jan-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Jennings explains the IFNA proposal. xx-Mar-Apr-May-1986 (spring) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IFNA is setup as a non-profit coorporation. xx-Jun-Jul-Aug-1986 (summer) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Randy Bush organizes the the FidoNet Technical Standards Committee (FTSC). 26-Jun-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide update (Policy 2) issued with FidoNews 325. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido325.txt http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/dal/1986-06-26-policy2.txt xx-Sep-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A meeting is held in Chicago to organize an echomail backbone. John Sable became the first ZEC unofficially David Drexler R19 Coordinator starts an R19 echo conference. 03-Oct-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 00938 Only nodelist.276 in archive for 1986 reference. GROUPING RANGE OF NUMBERS International Coordinator Region 001 European Coordinator Region 002 (Reserved) 003 - 009 Geographical Regions 010 - 099 Networks 100 - 999 Private Networks/Regions 1000+ 24-Oct-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide update (Policy 3) released. http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/dal/1986-10-24-policy3.txt 04-Nov-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben Baker explains the nature of the net and routing. 07-Dec-1986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 155 Region 12 splits into 4 new nets 620, 626, 630 and 690 in Region 50. =========================================================================== === 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 - 1987 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nodelist Zone listing first began with 3 new zones added. North America (z1), Europe (z2), Oceania (z3) About this year, WWIVnet, another PC network, modeled partly on FidoNet, begins. This is third level homage to the ARPANET, since WWIVnet was influenced by FidoNet, which was influenced by UUCP and USENET, which were modeled partly after the ARPANET. http://www.fnet.fr/history/QuatermanCarl-Early.html http://members.iquest.net/~jswartz/jks/professional/history.html 13-Jan-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- First official Echomail Conference List (Echolist), Issue 1, Number 1, released by Thomas Kenny. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido410.txt http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido508.txt 17-Jan-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deadline for voting on the IFNA proposal. xx-Mar-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- First issue of BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE, a monthly print publication covering the online information services and electronic bulletin board (BBS) industry from March 1987 to xxxx 199x. http://www.lights.com/hytelnet/fee/fee090.html 12-May-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone 4 joins FidoNet. http://www.fidonews.org/prev/1549/notices.html xx-Aug-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZModem file transfer protocol released by xxx. http://www.melbpc.org.au/pcupdate/9707/9707article10.htm 07-Aug-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Nodediff.219 was created by author Ben Baker of MakeNl. 11-Aug-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial Release of MakeNl v1.00 by Ben Baker. 20-Aug-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4th International Fidonet con Alexandria Va. 24-Aug-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee formed for IFNA BoD elections Bob Morris appointed chairman. xx-Sep-Oct-Nov-1987 (fall) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- echomail coordinators came into being Butch Walker becomes first offiical ZEC. xx-Sep-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policy 4 proposal. Ben Baker resigns as Z1 Coordinator, director of IFNA & VP Technical committee. xx-Oct-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Dodell takes Ben Baker's place as Z1C. 16-Oct-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 01935 Only nodelist.289 in archive for 1987 reference. xx-Nov-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Grennan resigns as R19C 14-Nov-1987 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first New England SysOp conference University of Mass Amherst. xx-Dec-1987 Thom Henderson resigns as FidoNews editor. Leaves FidoNet to help organize Alternet. Dale Lovell becomes FidoNews editor. =========================================================================== === 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 - 1988 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Austria and South Africa are added to nodelist. (Afica not made into separate zone yet.) Internet Relay Chat (IRC) was developed by Jarkko Oikarinen. FidoNet with E-mail and news features was connected to the Internet. http://www.broadcloud.com/basics/background.jsp http://www.weav.bc.ca/weavnews/article.htm http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.networkone.net/~wisehart/internet/ technical_history.html+History+of+Fidonet+timeline&hl=en The first echomail policy was worked on in 1988. 01-Jan-1988 Genesis of the International SysOp alliance publication of the first Alternet Nodelist. 08-Jan-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 02307 Only nodelist.008 & .253 in archive for 1988 reference. 25-Jan-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide (Policy 4 proposal) placed in FidoNews 504. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido504.txt http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/dal/1988-01-25-policy4-proposal.txt 01-Feb-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide (Policy 4 proposal) placed in FidoNews 504. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido504.txt http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/dal/1988-01-25-policy4-proposal.txt xx-Mar-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 322 is formed in MA from nodes in Nets 321 and 101. xx-Apr-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Jordon resigns as R10C. Steve Rusboldt joined Fidonet 14/635. 01-Apr-1988 The Good EggNet goes online. xx-May-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fabian Gordon became NC 107. xx-Jun-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry Lewis is appointed Z3C. 25-Jun-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidocon II Holland. xx-Aug-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Shackelforz becomes REC18. 25-Aug-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidocon 88 Cincinatti Ohio. xx-Sep-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet and Alternet agree to jointly establish an official communications gateway. Steve Bonine, IFNA treasurer, assumes responsiblity for all financial transactions. xx-Oct-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harry Lee calls for David Dodell's resignation as IC. 29-Oct-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd annual New England SysOps Conference Amherst, MA. xx-Nov-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Butch Walker resigns as Z1EC. Rick McWilliams becomes the next ZEC. 11-Nov-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Buda becomes REC 14 after Glen Jackson resigns. 15-Nov-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entry from net 280's net history Trimming up the list and adding a new system... ala 280/12... we have lost Tracy Mickley... 280/5... Down for now... Recruiting a New NEC... Welcome our NEW REC Mr. Buda... xx-Dec-1988 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction of Groupmail. Chris Baker's net bought him a computer system because he was ill. =========================================================================== === 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 - 1989 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??Zone 4, Latin America, is merged. Fido has around the 5000 Nodes. xx-Jan-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Pozar releases Ufgate. xx-Mar-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vince Periello becomes editor of FidoNews. 19-May-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eurocon III Eidnhoven The Netherlands. 09-Jun-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Policy 4.07 adopted. http://www.fidonews.org/prev/1549/notices.html Policy 4 passes 152 to 75 to become policy 4.6 zone 2 adopts policy 4E. Jim Grubs is excommunicated amid great controvery. 16-Jun-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 04722 Only nodelist.167 & .216 in archive for 1989 reference. xx-Jul-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Official Public Computer Network Nodelist goes into production. David Dodell resigns as IC 09-Jul-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone 4 adopts 08000 GMT as ZMH replacing the North American 09000 GMT Schedule. 15-Jul-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd anual Poor Man's Fidocon and Lake party an R19 thing. xx-Aug-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Whelan becomes IC 29-Aug-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidocon 89 San Jose CA. xx-Sep-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Meloan takes up a collection for Mike Rutledge who lost everything to Hurricane Hugo. 10-Sep-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone 5 joins Fidonet. http://www.fidonews.org/prev/1549/notices.html xx-Oct-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tony Davis is elected RC19 in the first RC election. 15-Nov-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fido Software v12r is released by Tom Jennings. FIDO12R docs. xx-Dec-1989 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Pearson writes the International Gateway Policy. =========================================================================== === 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 - 1990 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nodelist Zone listing added Africa (z5). xx-Jan-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone 1 adopts routed netmail. 26-Jan-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 05692 Only nodelist.026,.089,.145 & .229 in archive for 1990 reference. 20-Apr-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd Annual Poor Man's Fidocon and Lake Party Houston TX (3 days). xx-May-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Souvestre becomes the Southern Star. Steve Bonine steps down as Z1C. George Peace is elected in his place. xx-Jun-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cadnet is up and running. 09-Jun-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Asian BBS SysOps conference in Taipei. xx-Jul-1990 Mark Lynch elected RC11. Pablo Kleinman releases WorldPol draft. Eric Van Riper announces Programmers Distribution Network. 13-Jul-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eurocon/Techcon FidoNet conference in Antwerp, Belgium. 14-Jul-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eurocon IV Antwerp Belgium (2 days). 27-Jul-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGION 17 Convention (R17Con) at Menucha Resort in Columbia Gorge, Oregon. xx-Aug-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saudinet organized. FidoNews abruptly switches to LHA as an archiver. 01-Aug-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoCon '90 FidoNet conference (5 days). Sponsored by the Secret SysOps Society in Lyndhurst New Jersey. Contact Bill Vanglahn at 1:1/90 for details. 17-Aug-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Searchlight Con in Chicago IL. 21-Sep-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- +7 (xUSSR) joins FidoNet in Zone 2. http://www.fidonews.org/prev/1549/notices.html xx-Oct-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pern Net and Ansi Club are up and running. George Peace proposes echopol be adopted as a Zone 1 general Echomail Policy. Zone 4 renovates its *C structure. xx-Nov-1990 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The RECs issue a call to replace the Z1EC. Tony Davis puts up a Domain gate. =========================================================================== === 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 - 1991 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nodelist Zone listing added Asia (z6). This complete the 6 current zones that are present today. xx-xxx-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoCon 1991 http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/feb/bwm1.html xx-Feb-1991 Creaton of Backbone a file echo. 01-Feb-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 09138 Only nodelist.032,.144 & .361 in archive for 1991 reference. xx-Apr-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tony Davis elected Z1EC. xx-May-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 231 holds its first election chosing Brian Murry as NC. 08-Jun-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd Asian BBS sysops Con Taipei. 26-Jul-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Worldcon 91 including Eurocon V Croydon England (3 days). 16-Aug-1991 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidocon 91 Lakewood Co (3 days). =========================================================================== === 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 - 1992 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??It goes constantly upward: 19000 Nodes. xx-Jan-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utilnet established. Globelnet online. 03-Jan-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 12771 Only nodelist.003 & .360 in archive for 1992 reference. 16-Mar-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Jennings receives the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Pioneer Award, held in Washington, D.C., for substantial contributions to the field of computer based communications (5 recepients). http://www.phreak.org/archives/The_Hacker_Chronicles_II/law/eff206.txt 13-Aug-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE BBSCON (1st) in Denver, Colorado at the Stouffer Concourse Hotel (4 days). http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/feb/bwm1.html http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.totse.com/en/hack/zines/ eff/eff0303.html+Online+Networking+Exposition&hl=en Sep-Oct-Nov-1992 (fall) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 283 hosts the 3rd R14 convention. 04-Sep-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidocon Dallas (3 days). xx-Nov-1992 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- George Peace resigns as Z1C. =========================================================================== === 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 - 1993 === =========================================================================== xx-Jan-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glen Johnson submits pol4.1c. 01-Jan-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 18588 Only nodelist.001,.274 & .337 in archive for 1993 reference. xx-Feb-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sylvia Maxwell and Donald Tees become editors of FidoNews. 10-Mar-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ward Christensen receives the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Pioneer Award, held in Burlingame, California, for substantial contributions to the field of computer based communications (5 recepients). http://www.phreak.org/archives/The_Hacker_Chronicles_II/law/eff504.txt 17-Mar-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Satti wins round 2 of the ZC election to become Z1C. xx-Apr-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 106 assists a member who lost everyting to a fire. 20-May-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Johnson 283/657 is elected REC in Region 14. 21-May-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The nodelist passes the two million byte mark. xx-Jun-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Jennings becomes FidoNews editor. 18-Jun-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net 2800 the Mid_Kansas net is organized. 02-Jul-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LuxCon/EuroCon '93 FidoNet conference in Remich, Luxembourg at the Hotel Saint Nicolas (3 days). xx-Aug-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zone 1 Echopol put up for discussion. 25-Aug-1993 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE BBSCON (2nd annual) in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the Broadmoor Hotel. (5 days) http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/feb/bwm1.html http://www.lysator.liu.se/amiga/ar/guide/ar125.guide?P1-2 http://www.cwe.cx/files/dos/comm/bw100.txt =========================================================================== === 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 - 1994 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??31000 Nodes. 07-Jan-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 25159 Only nodelist.007 & .364 in archive for 1994 reference. 25-Apr-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews newsletter Vol.11 No.17 (25-Apr-1994) first to come under ISSN 1198-4589 acquired by Editor Sylvia Maxwell. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido1117.txt The ISSN was later found to be invalid by the FidoNet Showcase Project in May-2001 by collaborating correspondence with Linda Houston. Email Date Tue, 29 May 2001 11:28:43 -0400 (EDT) From: COLL/SRD Subject: Re: ISSN Verification xx-Aug-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Buda resigns as Z1EC and calls for an election. 17-Aug 1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE BBSCON (3rd annual) in Atlanta, Georgia. (5 days) http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/feb/bwm1.html http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.08/junkets.html xx-Sep-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Satti Z1C appoints Adrian Walker as interim ZEC pending the outcome of election. 01-Sep-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- George Peace (zone 1) replaces Matt Whelan (zone x) as the new FidoNet International Coordinator. http://195.226.109.55/jhassler/wif/doks/fnews/fido1139.txt 28-Oct-1994 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Satti Z1C appoints Bruce Bodger as Z1EC after election resulted in a tie vote. =========================================================================== === 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 - 1995 === =========================================================================== xx-xxx-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??Fido achieves its high point with approximately 34000 Nodes. ??The Nodeliste was large over 3 MB. 06-Jan-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 31890 Only nodelist.006 & .363 in archive for 1995 reference. xx-Feb-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two BBSCon held in Dusseldorf, Germany at the hotel Swissotel in Neuss. ??(Feb/Mar) http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/apr/bwm52.html 09-Jun-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 35787 Fido reaches its high peak of recorded Nodes. 16-Aug-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE BBSCON (4th annual & last) held in Tampa, Florida's Convention Center. (5 days) Last convention held for the BBS community. http://www.ispworld.com/archive/mag/95/oct/bwm29.html http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.07/junkets.html http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.04/es.states.html?pg=2&topic= 29-Dec-1995 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 34176 =========================================================================== === 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 - 1996 === =========================================================================== 05-Jan-1996 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 34038 =========================================================================== === 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 - 1997 === =========================================================================== 03-Jan-1997 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 29027 22-Sep-1997 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews domain of www.fidonews.org goes online. =========================================================================== === 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 - 1998 === =========================================================================== 02-Jan-1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 22929 =========================================================================== === 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 - 1999 === =========================================================================== 01-Jan-1999 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 18088 =========================================================================== === 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 - 2000 === =========================================================================== 07-Jan-2000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 15408 =========================================================================== === 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 - 2001 === =========================================================================== 05-Jan-2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 13293 16-Feb-2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 12366 02-Mar-2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 12352 20-Apr-2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Active Nodes in Current Nodelist = 11089 =========================================================================== ====================== FIDONET HISTORY TIMELINE FAQ ======================= =========================================================================== 1. HOW DO I GET THE FIDONET HISTORY TIMELINE? ------------------------------------------ The FidoNet History Timeline is archived and available in HTML and TEXT language formats from the Archive-location at the bottom of this document. 2. WHY WAS THE FIDONET HISTORY TIMELINE DEVELOPED? ----------------------------------------------- The FidoNet History Timeline was created to make the grassroots movement and further development of FidoNet publically available to the Bulletin Board System Operators who comprise the network since many have joined years later after the movement began and many were not aware of the colorful history that has occurred. To date, there have been no large-scale effort to present FidoNet history from 1983 to the present into a public archive. Before this history is lost in "the sands of time", it is important to preserve "a complete as possible" and centralized public record of these events in a chronological date order. It is, however, very enlightning to see a present preservation effort trend occurring via various related FidoNet websites on the Internet. 3. CAN I DUPLICATE THE FIDONET HISTORY TIMELINE OR USE PARTS OF IT FOR? -------------------------------------------------------------------- Drop me an email. The answer is most likely (though don't assume) "yes" for non-profit use, and "maybe" for for-profit; drop me an email and wait for a reply. If you don't hear from me in three (3) days, verify my email address from the archive site, then email me again. BTW, let me know who you are and your affiliation; anonymous requests will not be answered. 4. IS THE FIDONET HISTORY TIMELINE PUBLIC DOMAIN? ---------------------------------------------- No. It is copyrighted by me. The FidoNet History Timeline is provided "as is" as a FREE service and is intended to be used as public information concerning FidoNet history. The FidoNet History Timeline is intended as a gesture of goodwill towards the Bulletin Board community first, and all others, second. Permission is granted for use of this document in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes as long as the Copyright notice and a link to this document, at the Archive-location listed at the end of this document, is included. For commercial uses, please contact the author first. Links to this document are welcome after emailing the author with the document URL where the link will appear. It may be translated to other languages provided the above terms are observed. The FidoNet Info History Timeline is a living document which is frequently updated as more history is made available by the FidoNet Showcase Project. 5. CAN I DONATE HISTORICAL FIDO FILES OR DOCUMENTS TO THIS PROJECT? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Yes. We will be glad to take the history from you, if it is free! If you have any historical information that needs to be included within The FidoNet History Timeline, please send me a copy of that information or an Internet address where I can review the information. My email address is at the bottom of this document under Author. 5. CAN I SEND CORRECTIONS OR UPDATES TO THIS DOCUMENT? --------------------------------------------------- Yes. We have tried very hard to insure all information that we have provided is as correct as humanly possible. There may be, of course, some milestone dates that we are using that conflict with other documents. We are trying to resolve which source is correct and will so state when we come across such occurrences. Also, any conflicting document will be adressed to the person who originally created it if we can successfully locate this person. If you notice anything that requires correction, please inform me by email. My email address is at the bottom of this document under Author. =========================================================================== ============================== BIOGRAPHY ================================== =========================================================================== The FidoNet Information History Timeline was compiled from these sources: Awards --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Dvorak PC Telecommunications Excellence Awards http://www.citivu.com/dvorak/index.html - Pioneer Awards (deserving indivs and orgs of the electronic frontier) http://www.eff.org/awards/pioneer.html BBS Magazines/E-zines/Newsletters --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - BABBA/WCO Magazine Archives (Mar-1993 to Sep-1995) http://www.markshapiro.com/backiss.html - BBS World Magazine (Apr-1998 to Jul-1999) http://thor.prohosting.com/~greenie/index3.htm - Boardwatch Magazine Archives (Jan-1995 to present) http://www.ispworld.com/src/Archive.htm - EFFector Newsletter Archives (Dec-1990 to present) http://www.eff.org/effector/ - Pasco BBS Magazine (xxx-199x to xxx-199x) http://??? - The Journal of American Undergound Computing (Mar-1994 to xxx-199x) http://??? - FidoNet Articles by non-Fido Members --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Carol Anne Dodd (What is a FidoNet? Discussion of the Growth and Development of an Amateur Computer Network Carleton University ??-Mar-1992) http://winramturbo.com/??? - xxx - xxx - xxx FidoNet Conventions --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - EuroCon (Europe Conference) - FidoCon (Fido Convention) - IBEC (International BBSing and Electronic Communications Conference) - One BBSCon (One Bulletin Board System Conference) - Poor Man's FidoCon (Poor Man's Fido Convention) FidoNet Historical Archives --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNet Showcase Project ======================== - - Art Gallery Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-art-gallery.htm - Awards Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-art-awards.htm - BBS Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-bbs.htm - Conventions Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-conventions.htm - Echolists Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-echolists.htm - Fido Software Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-fido-software.htm - Fido Utilities Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-fido-utilities.htm - FidoNet Information Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-fn-info.htm - FidoNet Software Developer Archive http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-fn-sw-dev.htm - FidoNews Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-fidonews.htm - Files Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-filedist.htm - FTSC Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-ftsc.htm - IFNA Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-ifna.htm - K12 Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-k12.htm - Legal Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-legal.htm - Mail Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-mail-dist.htm - Memorabelia Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-memorabelia.htm - Nodelist Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-nodelist-diff.htm - Photo Album Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-photo-album.htm - Policy Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-policy.htm - Privacy Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-privacy.htm - Tom Jennings Personal Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-tj-personal.htm - Trademark Archive by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/arch-trademark.htm - Other Sites =========== - - FidoNet On The Internet (FOTI) http://www.fidonet-on-the-internet.org/ - FidoNet Technical Standards Committee (FTSC) Archive http://www.ftsc.org/archive/index.htm - FidoNews Archive ftp://ftp.fidonews.org/pub/fnews-nws/ - Net 282 Folks http://www.rxn.com/~net282/ - Peaceful Corner http://www.grudolph.de/ - The Original FidoNet Nodelist Archives http://www.rcat.com/fido_public/ - The TEXTFILES.COM BBS List http://bbslist.textfiles.com/ - TheLitterBox BBS http://www.thelitterbox.org/ - Was Ist Fido? http://www.was-ist-fido.de/ - FidoNet Policy Documents --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Policy 4.07 (09-Jun-1989) - xxx - FidoNet Technologies - - Developing Peer-to-Peer and Metadata Alternatives to Spidering by Internet World Magazine http://www.internetworld.com/120100/12.01.00underdev.jsp - Mailing Lists --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - xxx - Personal Contributors --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to these people who provided technical expertise, support information, documents and/or constructive comments during development of the FidoNet Showcase Project: - - Gisbert Rudolph - http://www.grudolph.de/ - Marc Weinmann --- ncl2fth@141.com - Peter Karlsson -- http://www.softwolves.pp.se/ - Ruth Argust ----- http://www.rcat.com/ - Steven Leeman --- http://welcome.to/skynetbbs/ - Tom Jennings ---- http://www.wps.com/ - Tony Campbell --- http://www.thelitterbox.org/ - more to be added... - References - BBS, Modems & Networks Books of Interest --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - The Virtual Community by Howard Rheingold http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/ - Please visit the front page at FidoNews: http://www.fidonews.org/ for a list of BBS reference books from the Barnes & Noble Bookstore - Timelines --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - BBS History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-bbs.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-bbs.txt - FidoNet History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-info.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-info.txt - FidoNet Software Developer History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-sw-dev.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-sw-dev.txt - FidoNews History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fidonews.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fidonews.txt - FTSC History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-ftsc.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-ftsc.txt - Internet Timeline by JF Kol http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/VID/jfk/timeline.htm - Personal Computer History Timeline by the FNSP http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-pc.htm http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-pc.txt - =========================================================================== ============================== ADMINISTRIVIA ============================== =========================================================================== Archive-name: FidoNet History Timeline Version: 1.0 --------------------------------------------------------- Archive-location: HTML format http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-info.htm --------------------------------------------------------- TEXT format http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/tl/tl-fn-info.txt --------------------------------------------------------- Last-updated: 26 November 2001 Author: Maintained by Frank Robbins Description: The FidoNet History Timeline - An authoritative history of the major technical and personal milestones in the development of Fido and Fidonet from their grassroots to their present day incarnation. Reproduction of this publication in electronic media is encouraged. Articles do not necessarily represent the views of the FidoNet Showcase Project. To reproduce signed articles individually, please contact the authors for their express permission. Press releases and Project articles may be reproduced individually at will and will retain our copyright. ===========================================================================