FidoNet

2 definitions found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  FidoNet n. A worldwide hobbyist network of personal computers which
     exchanges mail, discussion groups, and files. Founded in 1984 and
     originally consisting only of IBM PCs and compatibles, FidoNet now
     includes such diverse machines as Apple ][s, Ataris, Amigas, and Unix
     systems. For years FidoNet actually grew faster than Usenet, but the
     advent of cheap Internet access probably means its days are numbered. In


     mid-2001 Fidonet has approximately 15K nodes, down from 38K in 1996 -
     and most of those areprobably single-user machines rather than the
     thriving BBSes of yore.
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  FidoNet
       
          A worldwide hobbyist network of personal computers which
          exchanges {e-mail}, discussion groups, and files.  Founded in
          1984 and originally consisting only of {IBM PC}s and
          compatibles, FidoNet now includes such diverse machines as
          {Apple II}s, {Atari}s, {Amiga}s, and {Unix} systems.  Though
          it is much younger than {Usenet}, FidoNet is already (in early
          1991) a significant fraction of {Usenet}'s size at some 8000
          systems.
       
          [{Jargon File}]