Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mhuxd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!hou5h!hou5a!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!mhuxl!mhuxd!wald
From: wald@mhuxd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.news.b
Subject: New feature - orderer (and other uses)
Message-ID: <1184@mhuxd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Nov-83 20:59:58 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxd.1184
Posted: Tue Nov 15 20:59:58 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 16-Nov-83 08:11:39 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 29

I have run into a need for a feature in netnews which I haven't heard
discussed and (I think) would not be too complicated. I consider it
an ordering feature due to my needs but the idea can be generalized.
WHat follows is a somewhat specific explanation of a general idea:

  I'd like to see a line added to an item header of the form
	ORDER: <unix command with parameters>
THis line would get executed within readnews (or vnews or whatever) by
typing something (o for example) potentially with parameters. So say
someone does a poll and want yes/no answers. THe order line could be
	ORDER: echo "Vote $*" | mail PATH
and people could simply respond by typing "o y" or "o n". 

Or I saw someone who wanted everybody to send mail saying when they saw his
news item - I didn't bother but I might have been willing to type "o"
and an order line of form   echo "Got here" | mail PATH  could have executed.

Yes I see security problems, etc.  However, I think the idea has value. My need
is so people can order what I announce (yes it would be used within local
organizational groups). E.g. I can announce that my organization's library
has a new book and if you want it type o. THis in turn would submit an order.
I imagine many organizations would find a use for such a system for 
promulgating and taking orders for things they are willing to announce on
even a local piece of the net.
  Comments?
-- 
	Bob waldstein
	(mhuxt | mhuxd)!wald
	MH6a-313 x6171