I've been running for several years a large FidoNet and AmigaNet node called SystemShockBBS in Florence, Italy.

At our maximum expansion, we had around 500 registered users, 200 active. Three phone lines, always busy in the evening, and a few voluneer system administrators.

The service was 100% free, and financed with donations of users and myself.

I've finally shut my node down The project winded down as Internet popularity took over, effectively rendering FidoNet technology networks useless.