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}