Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ames!vsi1!wyse!mips!sultra!dtynan
From: dtynan@sultra.UUCP (Dermot Tynan)
Newsgroups: news.admin
Subject: Re: A SERIOUS DILEMMA FOR THE NET
Summary: limited distribution
Keywords: Portal, profiteering
Message-ID: <2415@sultra.UUCP>
Date: 20 Sep 88 21:17:58 GMT
References: <1219@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Distribution: na
Organization: Ultrasystems DSI, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 37


It seems to me, that there is little benefit to Portal listing the users
*real* name.  I mean, what are we going to do?  Find someone local to
throw a brick through their window?  Seriously, the problem is deeper than
that.  In a way, systems like Portal are in essence ''bending the rules''
when it comes to Usenet.  This network is supported by the contributions
of the associated companies and users.  Portal is then making a profit from
these contributions.  Sort of like a PBS station with commercials.  I'm
not suggesting that services not be allowed to charge fees for reading news.
Although I do believe that sites 'pay' for their newsfeeds by contributing
valid information to the net.  Something that perhaps, Portal is not doing.
Anyway, my basic point here, is that it should be defined clearly, that
"world distribution, in fact, any distribution other than local, is a
priviledge, not a right."  Up to this time, we have been self-regulated,
with the fear of losing a newsfeed if netiquette isn't followed.  With the
advent of pay-newsfeeds like uunet, this becomes a lot harder.  We need to
impress upon the administrators at Portal the sanctity of "world distribution".
In fact, I would suggest that most of their stuff be kept locally, and perhaps
perused by someone at that end as to form and content, and then allowed
external distribution.  This is tantamount to censorship, and not something
that easily fits within the usual framework of this net.  The alternative,
however, is grim.  Given the cost of distribution, a lot of companies may be
looking at this forum, and evaluating it for possible elimination.  With a
quick examination of some of the output from Portal (not all, by any means),
and the knowledge that the company is funding the distribution of this data,
we may end up saying goodbye to some sites.  In summary, I don't think a
real user-name will accomplish anything.  Not being able to change 'handles'
would facilitate people in ignoring/killing certain articles, but in the long
run, Portal MUST be held accountable for its output.  I think that this is a
subject which will probably be glued to this newsgroup for some time to come.
At least a whole pile of inflamed cross-discussions is better than apathy.
Comments, as usual, by email please.
						- Der

-- 
Reply:	dtynan@sultra.UUCP		(Dermot Tynan @ Tynan Computers)
	{mips,pyramid}!sultra!dtynan
	Cast a cold eye on life, on death.  Horseman, pass by...    [WBY]