From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!ihnss!ihuxi!otto
Newsgroups: net.followup
Title: Re: re: World"s Fair
Article-I.D.: ihuxi.150
Posted: Mon Jun  7 21:01:01 1982
Received: Wed Jun  9 00:50:41 1982


Saying that using net.general for discussions is wrong is very much like
saying that people who use "pristine" to mean virginal are wrong.  Just
because pristine originally meant "former" says little about its current
meaning, which is defined by use not original intent.

Similarly, net.general is being used for general stuff, which is not
too surprising in light of its name.  It is here that topics of interest
are raised, discussed, then fade out or turn into their own newsgroup:
the natural "cocktail party" of the usenet--the first contact new users
have with the inquiring, inventive minds joined together by this medium.
If there is to be a protected group for the issuance of official
announcements, why not make it clear with a name like net.official, or
net.announce ?

George Otto
Bell Labs, Indian Hill
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