Hello Folks!

	Contained in this README file is a brief explanation on how the new
NAMCA nodelist is setup. It is particularilly important that all the Hosts 
and Hubs understand how it works so that the scheme that the nodelist employs
works efficiently and effectively. I've reassigned numbers in a fashion that 
allows any ZC, RC, NC, Host, Hub or Node to be able to determine the routing
of mail by reading the node number. Ideally it should also make for the most 
efficient routing within our present system. 

	As we must maintain the zone 77 numbering I've simply shifted the 
zone designations to the right by one and built the rest of the structure
from there. Let's take a look at the basic structure in the example below;


77              :3              10              /10            1
^                ^               ^               ^             ^
NAMCA          Zone         Host/Reg.Hub      Local.Hub     Ind.Node

At a glance we would know that it is a MAMCA net number, that the Zone Mail
Hub is Zone 3 which is the Western Canada Zone and that the regional hub that
is feeding from the Zone 3 mail hub is the North Central BC Regional Hub(0)
and that the local hub that's feeding off the regional hub is hub 10 in that
specific locality (usually a specific calling area.).

	Here is a description of the new Zones and is based on the premise
no single system should have to feed any more than 9 or 10 other systems.
I've also tried to contain the zone within 2 time zones so that timing of
mail should theoretically be more efficient. No matter how I juggled it I
couldn't get get the mail flow set up to give every one the same day mail.
The West of North America will always be a day later in getting I/O mail. 
The only way to remedy this problem is if the systems call twice and to my
way of thinking that's a needless expense especially in this stage of the
game. With that said here are the descriptions;

Zone 1 - Eastern Canada - The Maritimes (NS,NB,PEI,NFLD)
Zone 2 - Central Canada (ON,QC)
Zone 3 - Western Canada (BC,AB,SK,MAN)
Zone 4 - Eastern USA (everything east of the Central Time Zone)
Zone 5 - Central USA (west of the Central Time Zone to the borders of 
       - New Mexico/AZ, Colorado/Utah, Wyoming/Nebraska, SD/Montana,
       - ND/Montana)
Zone 6 - Western USA (everything west of Central USA's boundary)

Now the regional hubs are at the descretion of the zone hub with one 
acception. Try to assign regional numbers in tens to each province or
state, ie; Western Canada; 300 (zone hub) 310, 311, 312 are the regional
hubs in BC, 320, 321, 322 etc. are the regional hubs in Alberta, 330, 331,
332 etc. are the regional hubs in Sask, 340, 341, 342 etc. are the regional
hubs in Manitoba. Numbering can go into 4 places so we shouldn't have a
problem with running out of numbers. Local hubs should be assigned in a 
similar fashion on a calling area consideration. 

This numbering system should make routing simpler. There however will be
exceptions due to convenience or cost where mail to some hubs may be passed
through another zone or regional hub. As I don't expect that to be the norm
it shouldn't be a problem. Either way let's try to keep the regional hub 
count down to a minimum.

If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to drop me a note
at any of the following addresses 77:77/7 (Nodelist Coordinator) 77:310/0,
(North Central BC Regional Hub) or at my Fidonet # 1:3404/143 or Internet 
rsteines@fmlyrsch.org. Or if you feel rich at my voice number; 604-747-0500. 
Those of you that have my unlisted number are welcome to call me on it if you
choose.

Ric :)

Nodelist Coordinator - NAMCAnet