Dear Fidonet Sysop, I have sent this message to yourself, with accompanying files attached, in order to let you know about a BBS "network" that you may, or may not be interested in. Please allow me a moment to explain further. If for any reason you are not interested, perhaps you could forward this file onto a local Sysop you think who might be interested. However I'm betting that you will be... For close to a year now, I've helped run something called "UFONET", whose purpose is to act as an unbiased forum where those interested in the "UFO phenomenon" may learn about, and exchange ideas and opinions with like-minded others. We are a 100% dedicated UFO oriented network, and offer as our two main features, echomail and file areas. We are a non-profit organization, and not out to make any money whatsoever. We also do not take an editorial stance. Our goal is to reach the widest audience, composed of both UFO researchers, and the general public. We hope to be home to both the "skeptic" and the "believer", along with all those fall inbetween. UFONET's organizational structure is loosely organized, with only a few requirements. By going this route, we leave ourselves a lot of flexibility, and thus make it easier for Sysops to get the system setup with a minimum of redtape. As a Sysop, you can have <> on your system and let it run itself, with a minimum of involvement. However, it would be preferable if you as a Sysop had a personal interest in the subject itself, so that you can be more involved. In addition to carrying the 3 echoes and 1 file library (see attached file UFOFILES.ZIP), the only other major thing I require on behalf of the Sysops is that once <> is established on your system, that either you, or a designated user(s), make an earnest attempt to contact Local "UFO researcher's" and make them aware (via phone or post) that their presence is welcome and encouraged on <>. Sometime in the first 60-days, if something like this could be done on one or more occasions, then I would see that asfulfilling such a requirement. The reason I have stipulated this, besides the obvious advantage their knowledge and experience will bring, is that User discussion alone is not enough to make us a credible network. Thus I have begun this venture with the clear intention of getting legitimate UFO researchers more involved, so that the potential of an on-line Network can be sufficiently realized. However, I don't mean to get ahead of myself here.... By all means, please go over the included files carefully, and decide for yourself whether or not you might wish to become an affiliated node. Upon acceptance (via Netmail or voice-call), I will set you up on the Echoes immediately, and will await your correspondence towards obtaining the 450+ files which <> offers. We are not just an echomail net...with the inclusion of the file library, webecome much more than that. If you decide to accept, you will also be given a node designation by way of an accompanying roman numeral (ie. <>). You are not req'd toadd this designation to your Board's name, although you may do so. However, your <> designation should be listed off your Main Menu of your BBS, and within the Origin-lines for your UFONET echoes. Remember, there is NO money involved with this Network...it is a non-profit, loosely organized system. A few other pieces of info: The UFONET Hub for the time being is my own BBS here in Toronto, Canada....for those who are PCP , I hope to be transferring this function to a PCP BBSsometime after we get established. Echomail...and all new files, will be left "on hold" for <> boards... Any new files you come across, should be uploaded to <> in order that it may be distributed to the rest of the net. As for our 450 files, you can have them displayed in whatever format you choose, meaning either TXT, ARC, ZIP, LZH, etc. I myself have the entire file library in both TXT and ZIP formats, any of which I can mail you should you decide to become affiliated with us. <> is not affiliated with any commercial, or on-line service. We are not associated with the FidoNet "UFO" echo (which many of you currently carry). My intention in requesting your conside consideration of <> was not to "raid" the "UFO" echo...as I hope you will see, <> is much more than just an echomail conference. If you are interested in taking that "extra step..." in having a echo and file based UFO area on your board, then its my hopethat you take a good look at <>. Please forward any questions you might have to myself Tom Mickus, here at (1:250/440). For the record, I have been Sysoping fora year now, and have no particularly outstanding UFO credentials of my own, although I certainly feel I have what it takes to act as aModerator for something like this. I plan to be as easy going as possible, and don't plan to get heavily involved in either politics, nor in power-tripping...so have no fear. Thank you for your time and consideration. Regards, -Tom Mickus <> Moderator January, 1990