Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site hercules.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!tektronix!teklds!hercules!franka From: franka@hercules.UUCP (Frank Adrian) Newsgroups: net.news Subject: Re: Need for Stargate screening? Message-ID: <377@hercules.UUCP> Date: Mon, 14-Jan-85 15:50:07 EST Article-I.D.: hercules.377 Posted: Mon Jan 14 15:50:07 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 16-Jan-85 05:22:53 EST References: <494@vortex.UUCP> <1917@sun.uucp> <366@hercules.UUCP> <425@cepu.UUCP> Reply-To: franka@hercules.UUCP (Frank Adrian) Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 42 Summary: In article <425@cepu.UUCP> scw@cepu.UUCP (Stephen C. Woods) writes: > >As I see it now, the net as it currently is will be here for a long time. >There will ALWAYS be news groups that are not sutable for BROADCAST nationwide >(E.G. la.eats, ba.wanted). There will also be groups that would from a >distribution point of view seem to be reasonable, from a content view are >totally out of place (E.G. net.flame). >-- Again, I reiterate... Stargate is wonderful. Stargate is fine. But what I want to know is if there will be any unmoderated groups around after stargate is implemented. As far as I can see, the basic scenario goes like this: Stargate is implemented. Certain groups are moved there (net.unix-wizards, etc.) and moderated. Certain other (unpopular, unmoderatable without changing their character) groups remain on phones (net.flame, net.motss, net.abortion, etc.). Backbone site A (followed quickly by backbone sites B, C, ..., X, Y, Z) decide, "Well, we're on the stargate system. No need to support the groups on the phone nets, anymore." And now only those subjects which a small elite group of "moderators" (censors, Facists, *ssh*les) think are ac- ceptable are discussed. And what we have is no longer USENET. What you have is a form of ARPANET digested materials. Not only that, but the "moderator" can edit or delete any message from you without your permission. Nor can you protest. The moderator blocks any message saying you were misquoted. Yes, it's a fine little net you want me to give my active support to. My feeling is that what you are doing amounts to de facto censorship without recourse. Again, if you will tell me how "politically unpopular" news groups will survive, I will stop making such a big issue of it. But it seems that you people want to have stargate, regardless. Well, who out there is in favor of getting around the current people who run this net and forming a new one. I suggest the name ALTERNET and a new newsgroup called net.alternet to discuss it.