____ ____ ____ ____ _____ _
| _ \ ___ _ __ ___ _ __ / __ \ / ___|| _ \| ___| / |
| |_) / _ \ '__/ _ \| '_ \ / / _` | \___ \| | | | |_ _____| |
| __/ __/ | | (_) | | | | | | (_| | ___) | |_| | _|_____| |
|_| \___|_| \___/|_| |_| \ \__,_| |____/|____/|_| |_|
\____/
Back in early 90s I used Argentina's National Comission for Public
Libraries computing facilities. Local pre-Internet X25 packet-switching
data-network access was provided there, collectively known as ARPAC.
By operating library PCs, modem access could be established into a
remote free (and limited) computing node at the University if Buenos
Aires, known as ATINA UUCP. While using these shell facilities I learnt
it was possible to enact electronic file transactions or even jump to
several Argentine sites (SCI & EDU).
In those days GOPHER was the telematic method of preference at the
Inter-University Network (RIU). It was such a novelty and easy solution
for document creation, even a national news service was implemented via
a simple public access directory - a computerized archive!.
There I learnt about SDF-1 ("the Robotech network"), an North American
data-services provider, a capable "outdial" machine who could officiate
data transmissions in Norther Hemisphere. I can recall another machines
famous in the UUCP network as UTAI Toronto, another VAX/VMS shell
located in Atlanta, USA, etc.
By the time the Internet was already common, in early 2000s, I
rediscovered SDF while looking for a free shell and webhosting facility
anywhere in the world. Googl€ was still not the megalomaniac presence in
the data networks. In any case I was able to create an HTML webpage
using Frontpage FTP it into the old Geocities/TK servers. Sadly I
neglected and lost my old account.
By 2019 I decided to get a validated account for the first time in
an attempt to recreate those GOPHER and old-school HTMLs, and SDF and
its community were the place to be. I listened to the shows in the
Snowdusk, Tob, Hardmous, Jasmaz, SMJ and several other nice and
charismatic characters. I was even able to chat using VOIP.
I really appreciate this UNIX computing center as a way to meet nice
people in the data networks, while avoiding nefarious enterprise based
social media.
SDF is a great place to enjoy your computing in community, and always
trieves to improve.
