fidonet

2 definitions found

fidonet - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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 PCs and
     compatibles, FidoNet now includes such diverse machines as
     Apple IIs, Ataris, Amigas, 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]
  

fidonet - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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 are probably single-user machines rather than the
     thriving BBSes of yore.