MSGID: 1:153/757.21@fidonet f4270c54   
   REPLY: 2:280/464 6135173e   
   PID: OpenXP/5.0.50 (Win32)   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   TZUTC: -0400   
   Hello Wilfred!   
      
   ** you wrote to me:   
      
    AA>> the elist-bot method [1] "creates" the echo,   
      
    WvV> It only creates an entry in the echolist.   
      
   Noted.  I should have used the word "publishes" or "announces"     
   instead of "creates".   
      
      
    AA>> and [3] gets a spot in a .NA file that is distributed to   
    AA>> boards everywhere.   
      
    WvV> It's only in the .na file that is distributed in the   
    WvV> monthly elist*.zip file. I very much doubt anyone   
    WvV> processes it automatically and have areas auto created   
    WvV> and destroyed.   
      
   When I ran my bbs, the .NA file served as a fine catalog of     
   what was available out there.   
      
   But with a little more awareness, sysops can be given the     
   heads-up that elist*.zip is a fine goto package to see what     
   echos are yearning to be linked up.   
      
      
    WvV> An elist entry doesn't mean the area exists.   
      
    WvV> An entry in the NAB's list, means it at least exists on   
    WvV> the NAB.   
      
   Ya. Ok. Once again, you nabbed me on a technical issue. But I     
   am trying to describe a practical convenient system that works     
   24/7 using the computers that people love to see doing the     
   things that they were designed for: automation.   
      
   An announcement via the elist-bot system doesn't "create" the     
   echo, but it is an easy way to get the word around, and the     
   contents are presented in a consistent readible way with all     
   info contained within.  Instead of a long series of public or     
   pm messages back and forth, everything any sysop needs to know     
   about a potential echo seeking distribution is contained in the     
   elist system of files.   
      
      
    AA>> ..But the initial elist-bot process is something anyone   
    AA>> could do to get something started at their convenience.   
      
    WvV> You could see it as a problem to. If anyone can create a   
    WvV> listing for any area, existing or not.   
      
   Everything has potential to be abused. But talking successfully     
   to the elist-bot provides some assurance that the creator/    
   moderator is serious.  I doubt that a creator and potential     
   moderator would want to go through all the trouble of following     
   the elist language just to be painted as a nuisance.   
      
   What system/method do you propose desired and wishlist echos be     
   announced?   
      
      
    AA>> Why was the elist-bot system even built in the first   
    AA>> place if it wasn't intended to provide a more organized   
    AA>> way to create and announce the existence of echos?   
      
    WvV> Control.   
      
   The ultimate control lies with the sysop of a board who can     
   choose to add an echo for distribution or not.   
      
   I would used the words "structure" and "organization" instead.     
   Add to that the fun factor of communicating with a bot, the     
   elist system is a pretty good implementation of computer power.   
      
   --   
     ../|ug   
      
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