Hi, Paul Quinn!   
   I read your message from 29.04.2014 10:57   
      
    ak>> For instance, I use Paul's NNTP server and send my message. A man   
    ak>> who uses Tommi' NNTP server can read my message very soon. How is   
    ak>> it working? Is there a special worldwide server which coordinates   
    ak>> all the NTTP servers? So, if this worldwide server is down we'll   
    ak>> have all NNTP network down, too?   
      
    PQ> The backbone to the system rides on a world-wide network called   
    PQ> Fidonet. (Check the Wikipedia for more information.) There are many   
    PQ> other Fidonet-style networks, formed for specific purposes.   
      
   Well, it seems to me, it is correct to say that NNTP is the protocol of USENET   
   network. There are many USENET servers; every of them can contain up to 100   
   thousand groups. Fidonet is a different network, but it can be seen in USENET.   
   The messages from any Fidonet echo can be copied to USENET server, and all   
   USENET users can read them or write new. But actually they use USENET, not   
   Fidonet.   
      
   The computer that transfers the Fidonet echos to USENET groups is called   
   "gate" (at least in Russia). I believe that quinnspost.nodelist.net is such a   
   gate, and, besides, it is actually a USENET server.   
      
   It seems to me that USENET network has nothing to do with Fidonet network.   
   Both of them can live separately and independently. Fidonet can live even   
   without Internet.   
      
   So, my question was rather about USENET network. Does it has the main server   
   and  other servers read/write news through it?   
      
   Bye, Paul!   
   Alexander Koryagin   
   JAMNNTPD 2014   
      
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