FidoNet

from 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.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

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}]