Internet refers to the ability to send E-mail (electronic-mail) around the world. When we refer to Internet we are usually meaning the sending and receiving of private E-mail addressed to specific individuals.
Usenet (a part of the Internet) refers to the 2000+ newsgroups that are sent around the world available for reading by anyone who has access to a suitable usenet site. This mail is 'public' and is addressed to a newsgroup, rather than a private individual.
The internet gateway is working (for private e-mail) and the usenet gateway is working for news (incoming public mail), but not outgoing public postings to newsgroups yet - we are hoping to have the software update sometime in July/August to allow this).
FREE Services:
New users (auto-registered users) & validated users can read the usenet titles.
Bronze members can read several of the usenet newsgroups - and can request from the administrator different newsgroups to read.
Silver members can read any of the news available as well as download the binaries.
Semi-Free Services:
Internet Users can post to the public usenet conferences (when the gateway is working properly, this mail will go out as well). There is a deposit required here, as there will potentially be Internet users that will E-mail a public conference posting, which incurs charges. (see below)
Paying Services:
A deposit is required in order for an individual to post E-mail, as outgoing and incoming E-mail incur charges. After paying this deposit you will become an Internet User.
An Internet User can read any news and request newsgroups that we do not currently subscribe to, and may send private E-mail to anyone they wish via the Internet mail system.
E-mail Charges:
3c per kilobyte for international E-mail, or 1c per kilobyte for national E-mail. There is a minimum charge of 10c per message due to billing methods 'upsite' from us.
$5 admin billing fee per billing period (this could be a long time between billing if normal E-mail is sent/received - file transfer can quickly use up a deposit, and the user may wish to forward larger deposits). The billing period will be determined by the level of deposit left in your account.
Internet E-mail posting:
$30 minimum deposit is required up front to cover any E-mail received from either public conference posting, or E-mail sent to individuals, or received from individuals.
All Internet users must sign an agreement to send and receive mail from the Internet/Usenet system, or if under 18, have a parent or guardian sign the agreement. (see the attachment in text format).
Address all internet enquiries to the Administrator please.
Please send your $30 Internet E-mail deposit to:
Nick Warburton
PO Box 56 454
AUCKLAND 1030
Please make cheques payable to N Warburton, as 'Deep Thought BBS' is not a legal entity.
