Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!TIS.COM!dmb
From: dmb@TIS.COM (David M. Baggett)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Usenet -> GEnie Link Considered Harmful
Message-ID: <8912202330.AA02448@TIS.COM>
Date: 20 Dec 89 23:30:49 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 32


I've never felt compelled to write a netnote about anything political
before, but the proposal to establish a one-way link from Usenet to
GEnie really bothers me.

I agree with Diane Close that this is a bad thing, for many of the reasons
she gave.  (See her early posting "The Rape of Usenet", 20 Dec 89)
The one-way nature of the link absolutely goes against the "freedom of
information exchange" which Dave Small is seeking.

It is unfortunate that GEnie's policies make it look like we Usenet folks
are "hogging information", but unless a two-way link is established Dave
Small will essentially be SELLING the FREE information provided here ---
there is no exchange whatsoever (Usenet gets nothing).

Let me point out that I believe Dave Small had noble intentions in proposing
this.  I am NOT accusing Dave Small of any ill intent.  On the contrary,
I believe he thought he would be providing a service for the ST community.
I just think his proposal for a one-way Usenet->GEnie link would start a
trend that could damage the Usenet permanently.

My humble opinion:  

A two-way link or none at all.


David Baggett
(mail to dmb@TIS.COM)

----------------
My opinions on this matter do not in any way represent the opinions of 
my employer.