Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lasspvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!qantel!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!lasspvax!somner From: somner@lasspvax.UUCP (David Somner) Newsgroups: net.news.group Subject: Re: Saving the net Message-ID: <686@lasspvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 14-Nov-85 16:46:20 EST Article-I.D.: lasspvax.686 Posted: Thu Nov 14 16:46:20 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 17-Nov-85 07:11:28 EST References: <546@moncol.UUCP> <623@k.cs.cmu.edu> <256@twitch.UUCP> Reply-To: somner@lasspvax.UUCP (David Somner) Organization: LASSP, Cornell University Lines: 60 In article <256@twitch.UUCP> grt@twitch.UUCP ( G.R.Tomasevich) writes: >I vote for deleting net.flame and net.jokes. Also many other groups, some >of which I read, such as net.auto and net.bicycle, if that is necessary >to save the net. >-- > George Tomasevich, ihnp4!twitch!grt > AT&T Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ Oh? Really? To "save" the net? From what will you be saving it? Nothing... This will only add to the amount of restrictions placed on all of the net groups to increase drastically, and a HUGE loss in volume. Many people have very strong views about freedom of interchange of software and ideas. Moderation will only delete this freedom. In the end, there won't be much left, if anything at all. Consider how many people actually DO read these groups and how many people who don't have direct access to these groups rely heavilly upon recieving copies of the info posted there? This figure is in the millions, if you consider world-wide contributions. Many people have been writing flames on local computer systems regarding the deletion of many of these news groups. Unfortunately these flames cannot get out to the net world just yet. If I were to compile the flames from this general area alone, I would have to use approximately 60M of disk space just to store it on. Does someone want to send a tape so I can send it to them? I don't think so. It's an extremely large volume of mail to read, all NOT in favor of the deletion of net news groups, especially those which are in heavy useage, such as net.mac.* and net.sources.* What I believe we should really consider is this: Are the people out there who are calling themselves "backbone sites" really backbone sites? The definition of a backbone site is a site which carries ALL the news groups. If a backbone site does not want to carry certain groups any more, there shouldn't all of a sudden be talk of removing a news group. Instead, there should be talk of removing a "backbone" site. A site like that, to me, is a "funnybone site". With so much talk about removing groups, why not remove all of those groups in which there is litterally NO traffic, instead of the ones which are obviously benefitting people, which can be seen from the HIGH volume of traffic. People are wondering why there is such a big drop in useage of a lot of groups. This should be obvious: With all of this talk of rmgrouping, people are now posting to THIS net news group, trying to save their favorite news groups. Many people who would normally post, fear doing so because they believe that the group will suddenly disappear as soon as they post something, and be lost forever. I move for the removal of all "backbone" sites that do not wish to be true backbone sites anymore, and also for the removal of THIS news group, and have all discussions of this kind on net.flames. Final note: Look to history regarding censorship! Look at South Africa and the USSR! Now look at what people are attempting to do on the nets with changing net.*.* groups to mod.* groups! They are all the same, and in the end results in one thing: either submission by the masses to the few whom many disagree with, or a literal bloodbath.... Pick your poison.... How you choose will determine the fate of all future policys regarding the net. Be brave... speak your opinions, which may differ from mine, but be warned: I believe my own opinions, and some other people may too, and those other people may not be as nice as I am........ ****************************************************************************** * UUCP: ...!{decvax, ihnp4, allegra, vax135}!cornell!lasspvax!somner * * Arpa: somner@lasspvax.tn.cornell.edu.arpa * * Bitnet: ruuj@cornella.bitnet * * My opinions are my own and others are invited to share them! * ******************************************************************************