What is a FidoNet Address?
==========================
   A FidoNet Address is a key concept: Every BBS which is a member of
FidoNet has an address. The full address consists of the following:
   
Zone:          Zone 1 is North America
Region:        Part of a Zone (NOT part of the addressing scheme)
Network:       A group of local Nodes (unique number in a zone)
Node:          An individual BBS (unique number in a net)
Point:         A User who is set up like a BBS off your Node

A Typical FidoNet address:    1:350/201

Zone:          1
Region:        17
Network:       350
Node:          201

Note: There is no mention of the REGION in the Network address. The
REGION is for administrative purposes only.
   Your address, then, consists of your zone, your network, and your
node numbers. In practice, you often can leave the zone number off the
address. So when you see an address like: 350/201 you know the zone
number is implicitly "1" unless stated otherwise. If you were located
in Europe, you'd know the "2" was assumed because Zone 2 is Europe.
Much of the Fido-compatible software will allow similar shorthand
addressing.

Domain Addressing
-----------------
   A Typical FidoNet address: 1:350/201@fidonet.org

Zone:          1
Region:        17
Network:       350
Node:          201
Net:           fidonet.org

   It's getting worse! This is called "domain addressing." It reflects
the fact that FidoNet is only one of many large-scale networks in the
world today. The "@fidonet.org" denotes that this Node is a member of
FidoNet as opposed to TrekNet or Usenet. Domain addressing is
currently optional, but you do see it from time to time, especially in
messages from other boards. If you are familiar with "The Internet,"
you may have seen domain addressing before. This makes FidoNet
compatible with Internet addressing--sort of.
   Your address is assigned by your NC. He chooses the address, not
you. If you want a special number, you can ask, but it's not required
you be given your favorite magic number. The scheme for numbering is
up to the NC. In Net 350 Jim has a pattern of numbering that includes
three digit numbers for Nodes that are remote from the Central Kitsap
Area. That's why I'm "201" and Evin is "501." The "five hundreds" are
the Gig Harbor area. The "two hundreds" are on Bainbridge. Just accept
whatever number you're given. It doesn't matter that much. It's just
like a phone number.
   Once you get your address, however, you don't want to change it. If
you do, your HUB will have to change all your echo feeds to a new
address. Also, some of the software you may use is keyed off your
address. You pay money, they send you a key. If you change your
address, you pay more money, or at least hassle with getting your key
changed. Obviously, we all want to avoid such things.
   
What's a Point?
===============
   Good point. A Point is usually a sophisticated user of a FidoNet
BBS who does not wish to be an official FidoNet Node. Instead, he sets
himself up with a mailer and polls his BOSSNODE for mail. The BOSSNODE
is a legitimate FidoNet Node in the Nodelist. A Node with many Points
is actually running a local mini-network.

Advantages of being a Point
---------------------------
   There are several advantages of being a Point. First, you don't
need as much disk space because all you have to have is a working
mailer. If you use Front Door, you don't even need a BBS behind the
mailer. You can just read messages from there.
   Secondly, you maintain privacy. No one will be calling your number
at all hours expecting to see a BBS. Your BOSSNODE is responsible for
hiding your phone number and origin from the rest of the FidoNet
world. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN UNLISTED NODE, a better way would be to
Point off an existing Node instead. PRIVATE Nodes are discouraged in
FidoNet. They take up space in the Nodelist, and no one can get to
you. The purpose of FidoNet is to promote communication, so an
unlisted Node is a contradiction.
   Thirdly, it's a nice way to get running on FidoNet without pressure
as you get used to the system. When you're ready and everything
actually works, you can always apply for your own Node number. Many
people start out in FidoNet this way just to learn the ropes. All you
have to do is find a Node that wants to learn the ropes of running a
Point and you're all set, to your mutual benefit.
   Fourth, you don't need to be up 24 hours or during Zone Mail Hour.
You can call your BOSSNODE at any time you both agree on.
   Right now I run a Point system off my own BBS. At work I run Front
Door without a BBS. It's address is as a Point. This means I can use
the mailer to mail out files to local boards, but by doing so I won't
automatically pick up mail destined for my own board. When I first
started this I had the same address: 350/201. But after I received a
couple of Nodediff files on hold for me at the wrong location I
changed to a Point to prevent this from happening. I was circumventing
my own autopilot-mode every time I had to cart a Nodediff home on a
disk and put the thing in manually.
   As a Point to myself, I don't run a BBS on this address--just a
mailer. And I only run up Front Door when I have some business to
transact. It's very convenient for me to do it this way.

Disadvantages of being a Point
------------------------------
   As a hidden Point, you cannot really participate in FidoNet
activities as easily or directly as a real Node. There are many
FidoNet Nodes, for example, which refuse to accept mail or file
requests from "unlisted" Nodes, though many do. (In fact, I'll make a
blanket statement and say that most do.) As a Point, you are an
"unlisted Node" because you aren't in the Nodelist. One of the
exciting things about FidoNet is the ability to get files from any
Node on the system. You will run into roadblocks doing this as a
Point. Your alternative is to get your BOSSNODE to do it for you.
   In the case of any elections in FidoNet (they do happen) you have
no standing as a Point. You don't get a vote or a say in how the
network is run.
   Points are supposed to remain INVISIBLE to FidoNet. As a Point you
may not have access to echo conferences that are for Sysops Only
because you're not an official FidoNet Sysop if you run only a Point.
You also are not supposed to interact with FidoNet in any other way
EXCEPT through your Bossnode. So I guess I'm violating that provision
myself right now by not going through my own node. But I only do so
within the Net, and everybody knows what I'm doing and why.
   
Point Addressing
----------------
   A Point is designated as a number past the Node number in a FidoNet
address.
   
A typical FidoNet Point address:   1:350/201.1

   Here you see the "Point One" off the normal FidoNet Node address.
The assignment of Point numbers is strictly under the control of the
Node, just as Node numbers are under control of the Network
Coordinator.
   
