[net.micro.mac] Creation of mod.sources.mac

bytebug@felix.UUCP (Roger L. Long) (11/13/85)

The input that I've received from the net so far regarding creation of
mod.sources.mac has been quite positive, but I've been asked to address
the following issues.  With each issue below, I've given my position,
but I'd like more feedback from the net community as what *you* want.
If you have anything address, please reply to me by MAIL.

One other thing I'd like to address is finding sites who would like
support mod.sources.mac by polling me and perhaps maintaining an archive
that nearby sites could access if they missed an article.  Please reply
to me by MAIL.

(1) Since most of what gets posted currently to net.sources.mac is binhex
    files, should we call this new group mod.binhex.mac?

    Actually, if we wanted to change the way things are organized currently,
    perhaps we should have the groups:

	mod.macintosh		(is currently mod.computers.macintosh)
	mod.macintosh.object	(place to post binhex type object files)
	mod.macintosh.source	(place to post ascii source files)

    This makes more sense to me, and would allow sites that didn't want
    to deal with any of the macintosh stuff to just put a !mod.macintosh
    in their /usr/lib/news/sys file.  I personally favor these names, and
    would volunteer to moderate both *.source and *.object until such time
    as the volume grew to where we needed two moderators.

    On the negative side, to create a new newsgroup without existing volume
    is said to be a no-no.  Since many people don't have access to compilers,
    there is more of a need for object than source. 

    I'd still like to encourage the posting of source as this is the best
    way to learn about the inner workings of the Mac.

(2) Should shareware be allowed?

    I feel that it should.  I believe that if shareware is *not* allowed,
    we should also look at selling property or pets, posting of resumes 
    and job openings, etc. to be an equally commercial use of the net.

(3) What level of moderation is to be performed?

    I don't plan on evaluating postings much further than insuring that
    only source/object is being posted.

    I will:
	- acknowlege all postings.
	- check that binhex postings arrive intact by verifying checksums.
	- make sure bug reports that arrive to me via people replying to a
	  posting are forwarded to the originator of the posting.  I will
	  place a Reply-To header line in the article, but because of the
	  state of news software, I still expect to have to deal with some
	  replies manually.
	- keep an archive of articles and occasionally post an index.

    I won't:
	- evaluate usefulness of a program.
	- make sure that the program is bug-free.

(4) How will back-issues be handled so that repeat postings aren't needed?

    I will keep an archive of articles and occasionally post an index.

(5) Is there an interest in a similar facility for Amiga and Jackintosh?

    I must admit that I haven't kept current on Amiga and Jackintosh.  If
    there's interest, you'd have to find someone else to moderate these
    newsgroups.
-- 
	roger long
	filenet corp
	trwrb!felix!bytebug

tim@ISM780B.UUCP (11/15/85)

>       mod.macintosh           (is currently mod.computers.macintosh)
>       mod.macintosh.object    (place to post binhex type object files)
>       mod.macintosh.source    (place to post ascii source files)

Change these to
	mod.mac
	mod.mac.object
	mod.mac.source

Names should be uniqe in the first 14 characters because notes seems to
want to store group foo.bar.spam in directory foo.bar.spam instead of
directory foo/bar/spam like news would.  And some sites DO use notes.

mazlack@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Lawrence J. &) (11/19/85)

>
>>       mod.macintosh           (is currently mod.computers.macintosh)
>>       mod.macintosh.object    (place to post binhex type object files)
>>       mod.macintosh.source    (place to post ascii source files)
>
>Change these to
>	mod.mac
>	mod.mac.object
>	mod.mac.source
>
>Names should be uniqe in the first 14 characters because notes seems to
>want to store group foo.bar.spam in directory foo.bar.spam instead of
>directory foo/bar/spam like news would.  And some sites DO use notes.

Great.  I definately agree with the tri-division.
(a) There is enough traffic for three groups

(b) It satisfies the need to separate object and source code. It is clear that
    some people feel offended/threatened/? by other peoples stated interest
    in source code.  Me, I want source code.  I do considerable Lisa/Mac
    coding and, in general, would prefer source for the following reasons:
    (1) correcting bugs
    (2) enhancements - both functional and efficiency
    (3) recompiling with a different compiler (I have several)
    (4) changes to better fit my environment: memory, periphials, etc.

(c) It would save time as people looking for source code wouldn't have to
    go through all the BinHex and people looking for object wouldn't have
    to be bothered with the source.

...Larry Mazlack MAZLACK@ERNIE.BERKELEY.EDU