Contract with Cyberspace

Jan 1 17:19 UTC 1996

Now that we are in the new year of 1996 and the new Grex board is in place,
I thought I'd reflect on some of the changes we are likely to be seeing as
a result.

With four new board members (aruba, robh, mta, and myself), I realized that
some rather innovative changes to the entire structure of Grex might be 
possible.  Drawing on the masterful, unerring leadership example of our fine
Republican freshmen in Congress, I have decided to work on a program of 
online deregulation and privitization.  Currently, Grex is run by a small
cabal of technocrats, who determine what services Grex has and who jealously
control access to the system's internals (all in the name of "security").

I have a different, better agenda for Grex.

Currently there is nothing on Grex that could be called competition.  Every
aspect of system operation is controlled by a central bureaucracy, with the
result that any change in how things work must be submitted to staff, where
the merits of each change are discussed in private and then, if allowed, 
*must* be implemented by a staff member.  Even as simple a thing as party
noises must undergo this procedure.  It is easy to see that not only are 
changes delayed or even forgotten, but that any creativity is stamped out as
well.

My goal is to break the bureaucratic control on system programs and resources,
and to foster open competition which will inevitably improve services for
everybody.  For example, the current party system has a plethora of channels
and noises, all administered by central authority.  What somebody was able to
provide their own party service, bypassing the outmoded concept of "partyadm"
and instead providing fast, convenient, privatized party services?  The end
result would be a revitalization of the long-declining party use on Grex.
And why must "cfadm" be solely responsible for conference administration?
The list goes on, but I don't want to waste any more space on the obvious.

My "Contract with Cyberspace" is as follows:

1.      To cut the bloat out of staff bureaucracy, by removing all 
non-essential software such as alternate party channels, conferences other
than coop, and all text editors other than vi.  In addition, we will improve
system performance by removing "New Deal" mail programs such as Elm and Pine.

2.      To allow private software providers to offer party, mailer,
and conference software.  For instance, ryan1 has been offering a private
party and bbs system for some time now, but a lack of access to important
system resources has meant that he has not been able to fairly compete.  To
get things rolling, I've signed up ryan1 as the first Independent Party
Provider (IPP) and also as the first Independent Conference Provider (ICP),
and given him root access.

3.      To establish "free programming zones" where new IPP, ICP and other
providers can have full system access and operate in a business-friendly
climate.

4.      To provide block grants of disk space and CPU time, rather than have
an inefficient central authority dole them out to each individual user.


It is my sincere belief that these changes will make Grex a better place,
both for providers and consumers.  Only the magic of the marketplace, 
unfettered by the excess regulation of the past, can revitalize Grex and
make it the great system its founders intended it to be.

Happy New Year!

response 2 of 41:

Jan 1 17:44 UTC 1996

Great agenda! Hey, I hear that you've got a bridge in New York
City for sale too.

response 4 of 41:

Jan 1 19:46 UTC 1996

Don't you mean "Contract on Cyberspace"

response 6 of 41:

Jan 1 20:58 UTC 1996

<expurgated and scribbled>

response 10 of 41:

Jan 1 22:43 UTC 1996

I'd like to announce that after some intense negotiations, we have been able
to settle on a date for completion of this program.  That will be exactly
three months from today.  Mark your calendars, Grex will be a much different
system by that day.

response 12 of 41:

Jan 1 23:51 UTC 1996

Obviously, Scott plans to retire the central processing unit, the 68020,
& to replace it with many privately owned IBM XT's and a central stock
market in CPU futures.

response 14 of 41:

Jan 2 02:41 UTC 1996

I want to send in a bid for a few of those telnet ports. Is this going to be
sealed bidding, or an open auction?

response 16 of 41:

Jan 2 03:36 UTC 1996

I think this is edxcellent.  But it needs a stronger emphasis on the
right of each person to develop Himself to his full potential, and not
be bogged down by effe psuado intellectuals.

response 18 of 41:

Jan 2 09:35 UTC 1996

Just arrange for that dumptruck full of moeny we agreed on, to arrive in my
driveway by the end of the week, and I'll make that 3-month deadline.

response 20 of 41:

Jan 2 12:19 UTC 1996

The last paragraph in the header sure sounded a lot like what the Pres.
of the Co. I work for said a year ago.  Now that I'm experiancing the
results of his words, I can honestly say that it's better that a MBA
cut their teeth on something like Grex than on something that effects
peoples income and well-being directly.  Go for it scott!  ;-)

response 22 of 41:

Jan 2 14:25 UTC 1996

The public opinion has already been demonstrated by my election to Grex's
board of directors.  Any further input would be a waste of resources.

response 24 of 41:

Jan 2 17:29 UTC 1996

I don't think so. Re #22 - Well, it would be wise, I think to continually
monitor the "public" that opined your election, so you can be aware of
changing desires and the most current conventioal wisdow. If, that is, you
are a true politician. :-)