Xref: utzoo news.software.b:5186 alt.sources.d:699 comp.sources.d:5681 Path: utzoo!utstat!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!mcsun!unido!mpirbn!p576spz From: p576spz@mpirbn.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de (S.Petra Zeidler) Newsgroups: news.software.b,alt.sources.d,comp.sources.d Subject: Re: Time for 8 bit news, isn't it? - Haven't got the slightest Summary: There _is_ netting outside of the US Message-ID: <1092@mpirbn.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de> Date: 22 Jul 90 13:57:17 GMT References: <777@hades.ausonics.oz.au> <1990Jul21.083046.13075@squirrel.mh.nl> <1990Jul21.174535.8281@lokkur.dexter.mi.us> Reply-To: p576spz@mpirbn.UUCP (S.Petra Zeidler) Organization: Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie, Bonn Lines: 33 In article <1990Jul21.174535.8281@lokkur.dexter.mi.us> scs@lokkur.dexter.mi.us (Steve Simmons) writes: >Hey, news is ASCII-based, written in english-speaking countries for >english-speaking readers. Hey back, I don't think so at all; if I read the authors' names and origins, it seems to me that no mean part of postings to the world-wide newsgroups is NOT written in English-spoken countries. It is the US American "We Are The World, all the others are just the miserable exotic rest" attitude all over again. Believe me, there is a world, and yes, even netting outside of the US (ever heard of eunet for example ?). As to the language problem: It would be really nice to be able to write ones name, adress, etc without tricks, but it's no issue that really bites. Even eunet, which is a LOT more conscient of the existance of other languages, has chosen English for common language, simply because it is the most widely understood; on dnet (German news net) you'll get flamed for not posting in German unless it's a crosspost. Writing German with the English (American) character set is a pain. Writing French or some Scandinavian language must be a major pain. To what amounts would the cost of changing to 8 bit be ? Would it be the transition of maintenance barely affordable to not affordable ?? It is nice to have the net around, lacking letters or no. Greetings, spz --- spz@specklec.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de or spz@mpirbn.uucp or universe!local-cluster!milky-way!orionis-arm!sol!earth!uunet!unido!mpirbn!spz = S.Petra Zeidler | ... in the midst of your laughter and glee, Auf dem Huegel 69 | you will softly and suddenly vanish away, 5300 Bonn 1, FRG | and never be met with again.