Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ut-ngp.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!werner From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) Newsgroups: net.news.group Subject: I like ALL new news-group Message-ID: <303@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Tue, 21-Feb-84 04:17:33 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.303 Posted: Tue Feb 21 04:17:33 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 26-Feb-84 01:25:23 EST References: pucc-h.542, <294@rocks34.UUCP> Organization: Comp. Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin Lines: 61 RRRaaaiiidddd ..... (still have not heard that the bug is dead) Why??? Let's weigh the benefits versus the costs, ok? (And, I hope, I got the facts right, more of less) The fact that someone wants a group means that I have to read at least ONE message. If a simple "U" to that one message (the initial group announcement in the new group) saves me from having to say "n" in the future, great. An extra line in my file ".newsrc" won't bother me, an extra 500 won't either. A group which "dies" because of a lack of messages, dies a natural death - the tombstone is one line in everyone's file ".newsrc". Before doing a "rmgroup" after a "long" period of silence, one last message should be posted to see if anyone cares. A few improvements in "readnews" might be helpful, of course. 1) Given that many people don't read "net.news.group" where the "new-group-discussion SHOULD take place", they never find out about it, nor get bothered by it. However, depending how their options are set, they might or might not find out when a new group has been created. A new option might help, which controls if either a) you want to be informed IMMEDIATELY of all new groups once a message appears there. b) you want to be informed only ON REQUEST of such groups c) you want to get a message at the end of a "readnews" session, informing you of all new groups, and get quizzed, which one's you want to read. If it's not clear why, let me just say, that the fact that I unsubscribe to net.tv and net.tv.* does not mean would not be interested in net.tv.60-minutes (should anyone care for it) 2) Each system might automatically monitor all news-groups it subscribes to, and when a lack of activity is observed for a period of X, a query-message should be posted to a control group inquiring of any activity was seen elsewhere. A response might also be generated automatically by other sites which have seen recent activity. No replies to repeated inquiries should result in a "rmgroup" which, by the way, could also result in automatic removal of the "tombstone-line" in everyone's file ".newsrc". It gets created, automatically, why not delete it automatically ??? Sounds like a minor software addition - just my ignorant guess. Before I go on, I'll wait on responses, probably, pointing out what I overlook in important factors speaking against my general "liberal" attitude towards new groups. But I, definitely, agree with an earlier suggestion, speaking out against the need for general concensus before creating a new group requested by a minority (of one??) Flames in an educated tone are always welcome ..... others get ignored or replied to in kind. Cheers, werner @ ut-ngp {.UUCP or .ARPA}