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From: dcf@physics.phy.duke.edu (Dan Flatin)
Newsgroups: news.groups,comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: splinter vs split
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Date: 22 May 91 13:53:02 GMT
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There are now two trends within the pro-split faction:

    comp.sys.handhelds      |    | comp.sys.palmtops
                            | vs |
    comp.sys.handhelds.hp48 |    | comp.sys.calculators

For the purposes of disscussion let's refer to the left column as the
splinter proposal and the right column as the split proposal.

I think we should view this movement for a change as an opportunity to add
features to our news system. If the name space for the news groups can be
viewed as a table of contents, then we would like it to be as convenient as
possible to "look up" a topic of intrest. If my intrest were, say, solely
hp48, then the splinter proposal would facilitate my search the best. Now
under the splinter decision if I had a ti I would feel obliged to dive into
the maelstrom of the c.s.h. On the other hand, it is evident that the
checkbook sized computer (palmtop) is a rapidly growing phenomenon. If I
ran across some hot information about a new super-twist color display,
50MHz 68040 palmtop and I had to determine from the list of news groups
where this information should go I might look into the c.s.h group and see
postings about ti's or the wizard pocket organizers, and decide the
information would find its best audience in comp.sys.laptops.

I support the split proposal. If there appears to be a disproportionate
number of hp48 postings within the calculators group then we can work out a
sensible subdivision. The creation of a palmtops group makes sense in
itself. In time this group will probably be created anyway, why not do it
now and make it part of the solution?

For the record, I am an avid hp48 user, and I read all the articles
relevant to the machine. I archive nearly all of the posted programs as
well as the miscellaneous tips and trivia. As a separate issue I wouldn't
mind having a moderated group, comp.sources.hp48, geared toward archiving
hp48 stuff.
--
	Daniel C. Flatin			1-919-684-8279
	Duke University Dept. of Physics	dcf@phy.duke.edu
	Durham, N.C.      27706