Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxu.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!ihuxu!jhall From: jhall@ihuxu.UUCP (John R. Hall-"the samurai MTS") Newsgroups: net.news Subject: Re: Welcome to Usenet 1984 Message-ID: <402@ihuxu.UUCP> Date: Mon, 29-Oct-84 01:10:50 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxu.402 Posted: Mon Oct 29 01:10:50 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 30-Oct-84 00:34:56 EST References: <274@haddock.UUCP>, <444@cbosgd.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 26 Well, I still feel that net articles reflect the views of the posters, and have no ill effect on my views on the company or university that owns the machine. I haven't any idea how "most companies" feel. However, ATT-BL has a very strong affirmative action commitment, so it doesn't surprise me that the Denver machines got restricted net access as a result of the BLKTRAN joke. Now, I don't agree with decision because it cut off any further possibility of discussion. How else are we to learn? But I think it's great that the company didn't ignore the problem. As far as notifying supervision of wrongdoings on the net, I'd say it's rarely needed, and is acceptable only if a copy of all correspondence including the accusor's name is sent to the accusee (is that a word?). If I were a supervisor, I'd throw anonymous accusations in the trash. And if the accusee doesn't get a copy of the correspondence, it's backstabbing. My supervisor scores two points for sharing some very mild threats against me sent to him by another BTL dept., with no copies sent to me (this had nothing to do with the net, but the same principle applies). I think peer pressure is good enough to take care of most all infractions on the net. I once generated a string of about 45 flames as the result of one posting. I'd say these had a positive effect, in that now I think more carefully about what I post. But I'm still very outspoken, and unmoderated newsgroups are one of the uncensored means of communicating. And that's the way I think it should be. -- --John R. Hall, ...ihnp4!ihuxu!jhall "And may your days be celebrations"