Please note that the text of this page was last updated on 14 October 1996; the contents of this page is being preserved as-is for posterity. The only changes made since that time were (a) to update the page markup to current XHTML standards, and (b) to obscure email addresses located throughout these pages (except for USENET postings). Needless to say, many of the links to external sites are no longer functional after 13+ years.

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!kmathson
From: kmathson@winternet.com (Kevin Mathison)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 1996 00:43:37 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 28
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: parka.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
signature. :) 

The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
we talk to our attorney.

I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
here than meets the eye.

Kevin Mathison
kmathson@winternet.com

p.s. It's not about money either.


--


Kevin Mathison 

- kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
- StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
- For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
- Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!news
From: choang@winternet.com (Carl Hoang)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 01:00:52 GMT
Organization: Carl Hoang
Lines: 37
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rpmct$997@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
Reply-To: choang@winternet.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp-67-16.dialup.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: Forte Free Agent 1.0.82

If it's not about money then it's got to be power and control right?
You guys want to flex some muscles correct? See who's the boss around
winternet? Why it has to go this extreme?

kmathson@winternet.com (Kevin Mathison) wrote:

>Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
>until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
>this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
>signature. :) 

>The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
>we talk to our attorney.

>I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
>that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
>be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
>here than meets the eye.

>Kevin Mathison
>kmathson@winternet.com

>p.s. It's not about money either.


>--


>Kevin Mathison 

>- kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
>- StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
>- For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
>- Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -

     Carl Hoang     choang@winternet.com


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!news
From: Chris Fuller 
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: Sun, 07 Jul 1996 20:30:02 -0500
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 53
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <31E0649A.6995E74C@discovery.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com> <4rpmct$997@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: discovery.winternet.com
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.0 (X11; I; Linux 1.2.13 i486)

Give the losers a chance already. Hear both sides before you go
flaming. The lack of reswponse has not been encouraging to say
the least, but they are probably right to keep their mouths shut
instead of sticking their feet in them before the lawyers have
been consulted.

The fact that its a weekend probably has something to do with it,
and like Kevin says, we'll be hearing from them Monday.

At any rate, its just plain stupid to start jumping to conclusions
before you have the facts.

Chris

PS - Next time consult the lawyers before you make a messy situation!


Carl Hoang wrote:
> 
> If it's not about money then it's got to be power and control right?
> You guys want to flex some muscles correct? See who's the boss around
> winternet? Why it has to go this extreme?
> 
> kmathson@winternet.com (Kevin Mathison) wrote:
> 
> >Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer
> >until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed
> >this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my
> >signature. :)
> 
> >The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested)
> >we talk to our attorney.
> 
> >I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and
> >that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not
> >be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on
> >here than meets the eye.
> 
> >Kevin Mathison
> >kmathson@winternet.com
> 
> >p.s. It's not about money either.
> 
> >--
> 
> >Kevin Mathison
> 
> >- kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
> >- StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
> >- For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
> >- Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -
> 
>      Carl Hoang     choang@winternet.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!ppp-67-5.dialup.winternet.com!user
From: xotis@winternet.com (xotis)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 00:58:34 -0600
Organization: winternet
Lines: 107
Distribution: local
Message-ID: 
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp-67-5.dialup.winternet.com

In article <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>, kmathson@winternet.com
(Kevin Mathison) wrote:

> Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
> until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
> this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
> signature. :) 
> 
> The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
> we talk to our attorney.
> 
> I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
> that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
> be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
> here than meets the eye.
> 
> Kevin Mathison
> kmathson@winternet.com
> 
> p.s. It's not about money either.


Kevin,

If it's not about money, then why, on IRC earlier, did the only questions
YOU asked of others have to do with money issues at Winternet, concerning
former employees?

From the sounds of it, you are contradicting yourself, or, you are asking
petty questions about money for no other reason then to instigate some
sort of flame war with Mike and his crew... hmm... sound's like you may be
lying to us in some form or another Kevin... so, what is it then if it's
not a money issue? Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway,
because if Mike isn't back at the helm of Winternet A.S.A.P. then I'm
going to give my money to someone else for Internet access, so I guess it
really _is_ a money issue for you after all, Kevin... 

Below is some of what was said on IRC by YOU... 

*** Merlin is kmathson@tundra.winternet.com (Kevin Mathison)
*** on channels: +#winternet-mod 
*** on irc via server irc.umn.edu (University of Minnesota IRC server )

 I myself have no more questions, and newsgroups are a better forum
 and you know the TRUTH
 I have a few
 for you Chad
 care to answer
 okay shoot
 I will answer what I can
 Who paid for Friday night movies and meals out on Friday nights
*** Merlin is kmathson@tundra.winternet.com (Kevin Mathison)
*** on channels: +#winternet-mod 
*** on irc via server irc.umn.edu (University of Minnesota IRC server )
 hard to answer or need coaching?
 everyon party...
 cool! thanks again Wise Wind
 Um, when I went with people took turns paying.
 the company never paid
 we always took turns paying
 what difference does that make, Kevin?
 asking a question
 I see that Mike H. sister is out there
 a question for here
 Karin is not on
 a question for her
 sure sure
 JillyBean is Jill, _not_ Mike's sister
 ah ok
 do you mind if I +v the former winternet employees?
 I will say this
 ok go ahead
*** Mode change "+vvv Jala neurotic JillyBean" on channel #winternet-mod by
    TDO
*** Mode change "+v Wackadoo" on channel #winternet-mod by TDO
 when were our movies paid for?
 oh bye the way, anything i ask here is speculative and NOT a
         accusation just a question...
 sure
 the company never paid for any movies
 heh
 ok i'll take that answer
 what did the company pat for
 pay for
 we either A) all chiped in, or B) Mike or Jeremy paid for them
 you have the check book
 ask dougm and/or mike about financial stuff
 i don't think anyone currently here is qualified to answer that
       questions
 question, that is.

 

> --
> 
> 
> Kevin Mathison 
> 
> - kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
> - StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
> - For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
> - Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -


-Craig Paulnock

Possible _former_ paying customer of Winternet...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!not-for-mail
From: rma@winternet.com (Rich Ahrens)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 1996 07:28:29 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 13
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rqdat$63q@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com> <4rpmct$997@blackice.winternet.com> <31E0649A.6995E74C@discovery.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: tundra.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 950824BETA PL0]

Chris Fuller (cfuller@discovery.winternet.com) wrote:
: At any rate, its just plain stupid to start jumping to conclusions
: before you have the facts.

Ah, but it's the Usenet thing to do...

----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Rich Ahrens      | Homepage: http://www.winternet.com/~rma/         |
|rma@winternet.com|--------------------------------------------------|
| "Nobody talks more of free enterprise and competition and of the   |
|  best man winning than the man who inherited his father's store    |
|  or farm."   - C. Wright Mills                                     |
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!belgo
From: belgo@winternet.com (Christopher A. Shepherd)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 1996 07:41:53 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 22
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rqe41$8gc@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: subzero.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Kevin Mathison (kmathson@winternet.com) wrote:
: I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
: that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
: be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
: here than meets the eye.

: Kevin Mathison
: kmathson@winternet.com

You say it's not about money, and on IRC you insinuated (albeit
un-officially) that Winternet paid for our friday nights out. You
lying cocksucker, I personally spent over a hundred bucks sometimes
so we could go out and have fun, we all took turns.

By the way, news access and MX mail forwarding for belgo.com has
been down for days now... no need for you and your pathetic staff
with the IQ of my couch to try and fix it, it's going elsewhere.
Enjoy your coup d'ego... from someone you didn't fire.

--
Christopher A. Shepherd (belgo@belgo.com until you broke it)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!not-for-mail
From: cardinal@winternet.com (Anne Austin)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 1996 12:31:19 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 57
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rqv2n$ooa@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: tundra.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 950824BETA PL0]

Kevin Mathison (kmathson@winternet.com) wrote:
: Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
: until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
: this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
: signature. :) 
: 
: The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
: we talk to our attorney.
: 
: I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
: that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
: be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
: here than meets the eye.
: 
: Kevin Mathison
: kmathson@winternet.com
: 
: p.s. It's not about money either.
: 
: 
: --
: 
: 
: Kevin Mathison 
: 
: - kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
: - StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
: - For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
: - Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -


After wading thru some very long-winded usenet notes regarding the 
problems that occured over the weekend with Winternet., I find that I am 
very disgruntled over the way the customers were informed about this 
situation.  When I couldn't login to Winternet, I thought for sure a line 
had been burned under the bridge again.  When I received no call back 
from my very first call to the pager, I knew something was amiss but had 
no idea it was so serious.

What happened to Mike is NOT acceptable in today's world.  And wouldn't 
ya know, I just paid $375 for a year's "membership" in Winternet (after 
several years of not really knowing if I should "invest" my dollars...but 
then realizing the hard work and dedication of Winternet's staff, I bit 
the bullet and sent my check)  Yes, Yes......I know I pay too much for 
monthly hookup but it's worth it to me to receive a quick response to any 
problems I have.  I was PAYING for this service.  

The lack of communication over this weekend was terrible but then seeing 
as I couldn't even login, how was I to know about this so-called "takeover".
What a lousy way to do business.  No excuse or explanation will soothe us 
at this time.  

We deserve better.
***************************************************************
AnnE Austin                  http://www.winternet.com/~cardinal
cardinal@winternet.com   ftp://ftp.winternet.com/users/cardinal
***************************************************************

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!winternet.com!jot
From: jot@winternet.com (J. Otto Tennant)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 96 12:54:58 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 16
Distribution: local
Message-ID: 
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: tundra.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.0 #2 (NOV)

kmathson@winternet.com (Kevin Mathison) writes:

[...]

>Kevin Mathison
>kmathson@winternet.com

>p.s. It's not about money either.

I am not reassurred.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.Otto Tennant                                         jot@winternet.com   
For PGP Public Key finger jot@winternet.com@PublicKey.com   612-688-7786
                  Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!mikey
From: mikey@winternet.com (Michael J. Wyatt)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 8 Jul 1996 14:08:04 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 49
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rr4o4$3rp@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: subzero.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Oh, bullshit* it's not about money.  If it is a business decision, it is 
about money.  If it is about not getting sued, it is about money.  If it 
is about keeping your assets safe from, say, visi, it is about money.  If 
it is not* about money, then it is personal, and you are a fuck* for the 
manner in which you handled this.

Kevin Mathison (kmathson@winternet.com) wrote:
: Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
: until a few minutes ago. I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
: this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
: signature. :) 

: The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
: we talk to our attorney.

: I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
: that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
: be made public. BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
: here than meets the eye.

: Kevin Mathison
: kmathson@winternet.com

: p.s. It's not about money either.


: --


: Kevin Mathison 

: - kmathson@winternet.com  An original founder of Starnet Communications. -
: - StarNet Communications, Inc.                     Home of Winternet(tm) -
: - For more info on StarNet Communications call:       (612) 941-9177     -
: - Look for NEW StarNet locations! 'Coming to a local area code near you' -

--
"I cannot even make the assumption -- as the practical requirements of 
morality require -- of God, freedom, and immortality, if I do not deprive 
speculative reason of its pretensions to transcendent insight. ... I must 
therefore abolish knowledge to make room for belief." -- Immanuel Kant, 
2d Preface, "Critique of Pure Reason", 1787, J.M.D. Mieklejohn, trans.    

"I can't bear not* to believe it, but I'm not bright enough to prove it, so 
I'll just guess, okay?  No, really, this is perfectly logical!  First, 
it's beyond our ability to understand, see, because it's transcendental*...." 
-- Immanuel Kant, mikey, trans.

The Iconoclast

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Path: visi.com!winternet.com!grante
From: grante@winternet.com (Grant Edwards)
Newsgroups: winternet.general
Subject: Re: A Post From Kevin
Date: 10 Jul 1996 04:36:24 GMT
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc
Lines: 52
Distribution: local
Message-ID: <4rvc08$2mr@blackice.winternet.com>
References: <4rpljp$6e1@blackice.winternet.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: parka.winternet.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Kevin Mathison (kmathson@winternet.com) wrote:

: Sorry, all, I have been driving for 2 days and didn't touch my computer 
: until a few minutes ago.

Not a good sign when one of the new generals leaves the fort
for so long after such a bloody take over.

: I find it "funny" in a way that some believed 
: this posting. To those who posted this take a REAL close look at my 
: signature. :) 

: The company will make a response tommorrow after (as some have suggested) 
: we talk to our attorney.

Seems like maybe you should have talked to your attorney
beforehand and had the sanitized version of your story ready
before the bloodletting took place.

Very poor planning on your part, mate. 

And you want us to trust you to run the show now?

: I would like to point out that we WILL NOT flame Mike or the crew and 
: that the issues that made this management change necessary may or may not 
: be made public. 

If not, we will have to make our assessment of you based solely
on your actions to date.  You don't want that.  Trust me.

: BUT as some of you have guessed, there is more going on 
: here than meets the eye.

Put up or shut up, dude.

: Kevin Mathison
: kmathson@winternet.com

: p.s. It's not about money either.

Well then what the fuck _is_ it about?!?!

If you expect to take actions like those reported without any
explanations to your customer base, then you're _way_ dumber
than I would have thought.

--
Grant Edwards

grante@wxxxxxxxx.com
grante@rosemount.com
edwards@grad.cs.umn.edu