Once you've decided to set up a Point, you're, of course, going to need a BossNode off of which to Point. If you've already found a BossNode, all it will take is coordinating a Point Number, a Password, if desired and what echoes you'll want to receive.
However, if you haven't already found a FidoNet Technology (FidoNet, RBBSnet, PODSnet and so forth) Node off of which to point, these are a few of the ways to find one:
1. Notice that when you log onto various Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) whether you go straight to the BBS or if there is a waiting period and a request that “for quicker access to the BBS, press <esc>”. This is generally the sign of a BinkleyTerm or FrontDoor system which operates EchoMail/NetMail 24 hours a day. On Tabby and some other systems, the easiest way to discover whether the system is connected to one of the networks is to look in the messages section. If there is more than just a local message exchange there, chances are that the BBS is connected to a network.
In all of these cases, simply leave a message to the System Operator (Sysop) and ask. You might also ask if he/she supports Points and, if not, to suggest another local BBS which does.
2. Look in any of the national computer publications which publish lists of BBS's; many times they will list a network affiliation. Again, log onto the BBS and ask the Sysop.
3. The “master list” of all FidoNet Nodes is the Nodelist, a rather massive list, presently (July, 1991) over a megabyte in length in its uncompressed form (although it generally is ARC'ed when it is available on BBS's). If you can find a copy of the Nodelist, do a search for your town in the manner of TOWN_ST. For example, Vicksburg, Mississippi, would be Vicksburg_MS or Port Angeles, Washington, would be Port_Angeles_WA.
One of the things to remember when asking to Point off a system is to keep your requests reasonable in regards to both time spent and times calling. A Node is going to be much more amenable to carrying a Point if the Point doesn't try to get every possible echo. Also, it's extremely helpful to the Node if the Point calls the Node during other than that Node's “primetime” (ask the Sysop when the best time to call is).
Also, of course, the less time you're on, the more the Sysop will be inclined to “carry you”. Try and gauge the maximum number of echoes you wish to carry to your transfer speed. That is, if you have a 1200 bits per second (bps, often, erroneously called 1200 baud) modem, it is generally best to ask for only a few echoes; if you have a 2400 bps modem, several more echoes can usually be added and if you are one of the fortunate few with a 9600 bps or faster modem and your BossNode also has the same speed modem, there is usually no problem with the number of echoes that he or she will permit you to request.
Incidentally, one of the peculiarities, at least in the U.S.A, is that inter-state, as opposed to intrastate, telephone rates are generally quite a bit cheaper. Therefore if you find it necessary to Point off a Node Long Distance, it is usually worth investigating the possibility of having your BossNode out-of-state. Quite often this can cut your telephone bills by fifty per cent or more.
Also, if you have to use Long Distance to any extent, you may wish to investigate a plan such as Reach Out America by AT&T or the competing plans by Sprint, MCI or other long distance carriers.
