To: [log in to unmask]
 
[Please get your editor to stop double-spacing messages]
 
I agree that there SHOULD be a rec.pet.ferrets in Newsgroups.
It might alleviate some of the lag in getting tghe word out.
Until quite recently, I didn't have access to it and had to
rely on friends who did to get ferret related articles from it.
Until I learned how to use the Fidonet<>UUCP gateway, I couldn't
reply to these messages, so I understand the hassles that some
may have with not being able to access Newsgroups. Perhaps I can
be of some assistance there.
 
As indicated in my 'many hats' signature below, I have a few ties
outside Internet that can help pass the word along to the less
fortunate among us.
 
I am Moderator of "Ferret Forum", a Fidonet Echomail Conference
that originates in Chicago. We have 6 sites that carry this echo
and several more willing to carry it as soon as the powers that
be see fit to put it on the "Backbone". The sites and info on
where it goes are listed below. If it is on a site in your area,
all you need to do is log on and read the messages. Depending on
the set-up at that site (some require you to be a subscriber to
post to echoes) you may also post messages there. Messages posted
on Ferret Forum have a 24-hour turnaround. Conversely, you may
also send messages via netmail TO Internet through the Fido<>UUCP
gateways. I'm currently investigating ways of gating the echo to
Internet. (any help on this would be greatly appreciated)
FERRET FORUM is a founding member of the Ferret News Network and
the INternational Ferret News Service. Messages posted there may
be copied and reprinted to both electronic and printed media, as
long as credit is given where it is due and the iniitials [FNN]
(for electronic media) and/or [IFNS] (for printed media) appear
at the end of the article.
 
I could also use your help in getting more coverage of ferret
issues via FERRET FORUM by asking your local Fidonet sysop to
carry the echo. We're not on the backbone yet, so all of our
sites are polling the home nodes for it. If they choose not to
poll, ask them if they'd request that it be put on the backbone
so they can get it direct.
 
The name of the game is 'getting the word out' , and the more
ways we have of doing it, the better.
 
    LOCATION            SITE NAME      PHONE#         FIDO#
    Berwyn, IL     Chicago Syslink     708-795-4442   1:115/622
    Chicago, IL    I CAN BBS           312-736-7388   1:115/738
    Yuma, AZ       Cactus Patch BBS    602-342-5180   1:15/18
    Springfield MO Telen-Quest BBS     417-886-2563   1:284/4
    Yardley PA     US Telematics BBS   215-493-5242   1:273/201
    Brandon FL     Virtual Reality     813-684-6663   1:377/26
 
    Hope we can be of help...
 
 
              -----------------------------------------------------
         Roger D. McMillian
         Director, Greater Chicago Ferret Association
         Moderator, Ferret Forum Echomail Conference (Fidonet)
         Volunteer Adoptions Officer, GCFA Shelter
         Editor, "Off The Paw" - GCFA Newsletter
         Midwest Anchor: Ferret News Network
            U.S. Anchor: International Ferret News Service
         Addresses:
         Internet: [log in to unmask]
                   [log in to unmask]
         Fidonet:  1:115/622
                   1:115/738
         -----------------------------------------------------
[Posted in FML issue 0300]