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Candidate: Scott Catterill
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Information
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Greetings!   
 
As you probably know, I am one of the many candidates running for the
upcoming NCF board of directors election.  I have been on the Freenet
since it's birth, and I would like to offer a hand in improving it for
the future.
  
As some of you may already know, I am the SysOp of the Heart of Gold BBS.
The HOG is a small public-access BBS which offers both shareware and message
areas to the cyber-masses.  :-)  I realize my two-node system is dwarfed by
our Freenet, but I still understand the massive requirements it takes to 
maintain an online service as this up & running.   
 
Where do I stand in the issues?  Here is a brief summary:

As I see it, the two biggest problems we have on the NFC are:
   1. Unable to connect, due to busy signals,
   2. Slow machine speed.  

To help combat both problems, I think we should try to increase the amount
of offline activity which users can perform.  They should be able to
download/upload their mail & UseNet messages in a .QWK packet form.  
This procedure is already very common in the BBS scene.  

A maximum two-hour connect time per day is all we need.  I would rather
have less access time, if it meant a better chance to connect to a faster
machine.  Trying to edit a message online now is almost impossible, since the
character-lag can be quite lengthy.  Of course, upgrading the actual NFC
hardware would help, but only if the finances allow it.

Binary FTP transfers should be restricted from the NFC (at least during
busy hours), since it is too resource-hungry.  The key priority of the NFC
should be to provide email and UseNet access to the average user.  If they
want to be able to access FTP sites, they should subscribe to a private
service.

To conclude, I am aiming for a "leaner & meaner" NFC.   :-)

Here are some responses to common questions I am receiving concerning my
platform:

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User Fees:

Against.  Freenet should be 100% free.  If people want all of the frills,
they should subscribe to an Internet service provider.  Our Freenet should
offer as many basic services as possible for no cost to the user.  I see
the key NCF services as Internet Email, UseNet Newsgroups, and links to
other public sites (such as library services).

Time Limits:

For.  We need to ensure the Freenet is easily accessable by ALL.  Busy
signals can be a real pain.  We should allow users to download mail, and
browse it offline, to minimize system load.  I think a two hour daily time
limit is more than enough.  During non-peak hours, the time limit could be
possibly waived.

Corporate Funding?

For.  Anything that gives the NCF resources to expand, I am for.
(As long as it does not "commercialize" the Freenet to a great extent).

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If you have any questions/comments on the above, please feel free to let
me know.   

Scott Catterill                       BBS: (613)831-1973   
NCF Board of Directors Candidate.          (613)831-2683
aa355@freenet.carleton.ca    

Also feel free to call my office # at (613)596-7004. 
Leave a message in my voice mailbox if I am not around.