fiber-seeking backhoe
= F =
field circus
FidoNet n.
A worldwide hobbyist network of personal
computers which exchanges mail, discussion groups, and files.
Founded in 1984 and originally consisting only of IBM PCs and
compatibles, FidoNet now includes such diverse machines as Apples, Ataris, Amigas, and Unix systems. For years FidoNet actually
grew faster than Usenet, but the advent of cheap Internet access
probably means its days are numbered. In mid-2001 Fidonet
has approximately 15K nodes, down from 38K in 1996 - and most
of those are probably single-user machines rather than the thriving
BBSes of yore.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.