Is anyone else concerned that  the BITNIC seems to be subject
to  the   Not-Invented-Here  Syndrome?   They  have   been  quite
unresponsive to the requests from  the Membership to make greater
use of  NETSERV, and until  recently have completely  ignored the
FRECP11-LISTSERV.   Given  the  fact   that  they  will  have  no
development  money under  the  new  budget, this  is  a very  bad
mindset.  True,  they are  allowed to build  tools for  their own
use, but  the budget explicitly  states that  no funds are  to be
expended on software development.  This is presumably intended to
foster the cooperative attitude  that already exists, in addition
to  slaying the  BITDOC  dragon.  (Remember  the BITDOC?   What's
become of them and their Development projects?)
 
    There is  a very good  reason why  the BITNIC should  run the
FRECP11-LISTSERV: it is less labor intensive.
 
    On  September  22,  1986  I requested  that  INFO@BITNIC  add
several (9)  new users to one  mailing list each.  On  October 6,
they  did so,  and responded.   It takes  two weeks  to get  on a
mailing  list,  because  the documented  procedure  (in  LISTSERV
GROUPS  on NICSERVE)  is to  send  mail to  [log in to unmask]  With  a
smarter  LISTSERV, it  would take  about 5  minutes from  my site
(your mileage may vary, depending on network distance.)
 
    In light of  the recent inquiries into what  the BITNIC does,
whether it  should continue to  exist, and it's funding  model, I
should think  that they would jump  at a system which  makes them
more  responsive  to the  people  who  have  to decide  on  their
viability and performance.