Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!porthos.rutgers.edu!webber From: webber@porthos.rutgers.edu (Bob Webber) Newsgroups: news.admin Subject: Re: What to do about [Offensive Person] in [Random Newsgroup] Message-ID: Date: 25 Mar 88 22:50:23 GMT References: <7614@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <127@sulaco.UUCP> <3412@dasys1.UUCP> <23371@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Distribution: na Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 33 In article <23371@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>, fair@ucbarpa.Berkeley.EDU (Erik E. Fair) writes: > Date: Mon, Nov 9, 1987 17:38:54 PST > Subject: What to do about [Offensive Person] in [Random Newsgroup] > > Once upon a time, there was a computer network created by a set of > like-minded UNIX Wizards, to exchange technical information about > UNIX, and thus make their lives easier. Once the network grew to be > about 100 sites, its existence was assured, since it was big enough > that no one site failure could kill it. > > Of course, the network continued to grow. Finally, one day, someone > expressed an opinion, and lo! there was disagreement, for the I will agree that the net was started by UNIX Wizards who were like-minded on the issue of whether or not something like the net was worth putting together. However, I doubt USENET predates the big arpa mailing lists and so I am sure there were flames from day one. If anyone has archives that would disprove this statement, I stand ready to pay for shipment of them on mag tapes suitable for reading on our local drives to here where I can review the evidence. Until such time, I view the notion that the net grew to 100 sites before ``disagreement'' as being hopelessly naive. Such revisionist histories do no one any good since they are so implausible, they don't even support the case of the people who present them. > the Net Gods (as those who do not understand call those who work > hard in the shadows to keep the network running smoothly) decided Actually, I hear quite a view of the people ``who work hard...'' using this term as well. Of course, I realize that doesn't contradict your statement, but can't help wondering if it was what you meant. ----- BOB (webber@athos.rutgers.edu ; rutgers!athos.rutgers.edu!webber)