Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site hao.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!gatech!seismo!hao!woods
From: woods@hao.UUCP (Greg Woods)
Newsgroups: net.news,net.news.group
Subject: Re: Fear and Loathing... (better funnel?)
Message-ID: <1856@hao.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Nov-85 13:02:59 EST
Article-I.D.: hao.1856
Posted: Thu Nov 14 13:02:59 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Nov-85 05:45:27 EST
References: <614@h-sc1.UUCP> <1817@hao.UUCP> <867@mcvax.UUCP> <333@ccivax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: High Altitude Obs./NCAR, Boulder CO
Lines: 31
Xref: watmath net.news:4349 net.news.group:4532

> Why are cross postings not handled as symbolic links 

  They are, in fact, hard links.

> Would it be more practical to "spread" the backbone a little wider
> in order to get better distribution of long distance costs?

  If there were sites willing to share the cost, sure. Any volunteers?

> tar new files together, preserving linkages so that
> 
> net/news/mcvax.867 net/news/net.news.group/mcvax.867 net.flame/mcvax.867
> 
> are links to the same file rather than three identical copies of the same
> file. 

  As above, this is already in place.

> By using this system.article_number convention, references can be quickly
> found and read. Perhaps even put a "see reference" command on readnews.

  This too is already there. Just typing <####@site.UUCP> will get you
the referenced article.

  Good ideas, but that wheel has already been invented and there is STILL
too much traffic. We need more than that. Whatever we come up with (length
limits, moderation, etc.), it must be enforceable by the software or by a small
group of people. Experience has CLEARLY shown that schemes that depend on
netwide cooperation of users (or even administrators) are doomed to failure.

--Greg