From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!seismo!uwvax!solomon
Newsgroups: net.news,net.mail
Title: Re: The USENET corporation, a whole new way to run usenet
Article-I.D.: crystal.149
Posted: Thu Dec 30 09:18:57 1982
Received: Sat Jan  1 02:38:08 1983
References: watmath.4138

Your idea of a USENET corporation is excellent.  In fact, it's so good,
it already exists!  It's called CSNET.  In fact, CSNET is more like a
uucp corporation plus more.

One component of CSNET is PhoneNet, which is very much like uucp except
that all connections are made to/from one of two PhoneNet relays--one
at the University of Deleware, and one at the Rand corporation in Santa
Monica, CA.  Another component is ARPANET.  Mail is relayed between
ARPANET and the rest of CSNET with the full consent and cooperation of
ARPA.

A third component is development of software to allow host to host
connection over Telenet.  Prototype implementations are now in service
between the University of Wisconsin, Purdue University and the
University of Deleware.  When this software is released sites that are
willing to pay the cost of connecting to Telenet will have all the
services of PhoneNet and more:  A high-bandwidth real-time connection
to any other CSNET/Telenet site that can be used for file transfer and
for remote login.  CSNET is developing this software for VAX UNIX
systems.  A related project funded by IBM is developing similar
software for 4300 VM systems.

A fourth component of CSNET is the Name Server.  This is a directory of
users maintained at Wisconsin.  Users of CSNET member hosts can
register themselves in this directory and edit their own entries to
include descriptive information (such as USNAIL address, phone number,
and descriptive keywords).  Anyone who can communicate with the CSNET
Service Host (including all CSNET members) can send queries containing
lists of keywords to the Service Host and get back copies of the
entries that match.  Additional software currently being developed will
allow you to send mail using such keyword queries.   For example, CSNET
members will be able to send mail to "Marvin Solomon" and let the
system figure out how to get it to me.

An organization called the CSNET Coordination and Information Center
(CIC) with administrative, technical, and clerical staff has been
established at BBN in Cambridge, MA.  The CIC oversees day-to-day
operations of CSNET.

What about netnews?  Obviously a mail network like this is capable of
supporting netnews on top of it without any special arrangements.
Bstempleton points out improvements in service that would be possible
with the more centralized organization of CSNET.  Right now, the
organizers of CSNET are more concerned with setting up the basic
services outlined above, but added services, such as discussion groups
and mailing lists are foreseen.  All your suggestions about how to
proceed are very much appreciated.

For more information about CSNET, send mail to

	The CSNET Coordination and Information Center
	Bolt, Beranek, and Newman
	10 Moulton St.  Cambridge MA  02238

	CIC@CSNET-SH
	...!ucbvax!uwvax!cic
	...!seismo!uwvax!cic

	(617) 497-2777

That phone number is a 24-hour hotline.

Marvin Solomon
solomon@uwisc
uwvax!solomon