On May 3, 2010 12:12:54 am Ray Wells wrote:
The packet network has greatly diminished in size over the last ten years, with many (most) nodes (of all flavours) and bbs's having disappeared. There was never a lot of Linux users in vk.
However, packet is still surviving in UI mode courtesy of APRS, and nodes are springing up everywhere. Programs such as xastir, which is Linux based, are ensuring a future need for ax25 under Linux. With many operators opting for soundmodem, the need for a howto is still current, IMHO.
Getting back to packet, there is still a world-wide Netrom network and, both Rose and Flexnet are in use in small(ish) pockets around the world. The fpac implementation of Rose for Linux by F6FBB, and now maintained by Bernard, F6BVP, is really excellent and new nodes are appearing in the US and Australia, among other places.
I've been using Linux for packet since John Tanner, VK2ZXQ, introduced me to it (Linux) in 1992/3, and I still use it today because it lets me do things Windows has never let me do - in AR.
I'm happy to converse privately if you want more local information.
Ray vk2tv
There does seem to be a widespread diminishment in packet use everywhere, but I do hope to get back on packet with one of my OpenSuSe boxes and an old TNC. Unfortunately nothing these days even comes with a comm port - just USB ones, although adaptors are easy enough to come by. -- Robert Smits Email bob@rsmits.ca VE7HS, Ladysmith BC Canada -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ham+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ham+help@opensuse.org