Re: The FAQ system approaches obsolescence. What do we do now?

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Aliza R. Panitz (buglady@bronze.lcs.mit.edu)
Wed, 7 Dec 1994 18:09:42 -0500 (EST)


> > I would say it's good to maintain both forms and continue posting
> > periodically for the Usenet challenged, as well as for those on online
> > services, e.g. America Online.
>
> Yes, but I think AOL and the other online service will be offering Web access
> soon. Market pressure will force them all to do it once one does, just as
> they've been dragged kicking and screaming into supporting Internet email
> and netnews.

My service provider (Digital Express in DC) provides three levels of net
access: Shell access with no IP services (e.g. no lynx or FTP), shell
access with no direct IP (e.g. lynx but no Mosaic), and 'Personal IP'
that gives full Web access. They are aware of the various 'Fake IP'
packages that let you run WWW stuff from a shell account, and are
evaluating their effect on system load before deciding whether to let
the folks who are buying cheaper levels of net access use them.

The future of the net is commercial, and there will always be people who
want to get a cheaper account, even if that means it's not quite
full-featured. We don't want to cut people with minimum connections off
from FAQs - especially because they will have a tough time *finding*
the non-IP-based access methods. (How many URLs do you see that include
e-mail Web access instructions? What percentage of FTP pointers mention
mailservers?)

- Aliza




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