Nodelist

The International Coordinator would then compile a new nodelist, and generate the list of changes (nodediff) to be distributed for node operators to apply to their existing nodelist.

After all the packets were generated, one for each node, the FIDONET program would look up the destination node's phone number in NODELIST.

A mechanism allowing netmail delivery to these systems without the overhead of nodelist maintenance was desirable.

As the network grew, the maintenance of the nodelist became prohibitive, and errors were common.

Estimating numbers According to the FidoNet Nodelist, BBSes reached their peak usage around 1996, which was the same period that the World Wide Web and AOL suddenly became mainstream.

In addition to the limits on growth of what was clearly a popular system, nodelist maintenance continued to grow more and more time consuming.

Many regions distribute a pointlist in parallel with the nodelist.

NODELIST was the list of Fido BBS systems, which Jennings had already been compiling.

The exact number can be determined by examining the official nodelist.

The FidoNet nodelist started shrinking, especially in areas with widespread availability of internet connections.

The first new nodelist was published on 21 September 1984.

These users did not want their systems to appear in the nodelist - they did not (necessarily) run a bulletin board system and were not publicly accessible.