bryce@hoser.berkeley.edu (Bryce Nesbitt) (01/15/88)
Thu Jan 14 10:18:25 PST 1988
I'm taking votes on a proposal for changing the comp.sys.amiga newsgroup.
The topic has been hashed before, I won't do that again. I have a
proposal: if you like it, VOTE YES. If you don't, VOTE NO.
------THE REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL-------
comp.sys.amiga is consistently in the top 4 most voluminous newsgroups. It
rates high on both the number of messages, and the number of raw bytes
transferred. Too high in some opinions, including mine.
Many people have complained that the volume is too high to read
comfortably. Others enjoy the volume. No problem, this proposal
accommodates both tastes. Read on.
In the past the major problem has been finding a meaningful split. One
danger is that splinter groups will merge into one "effective" group though
cross-posting or miss-posting. Again, I think this problem is solved.
For the people who have trouble finding time to sort though all of
comp.sys.amiga's bulk, the split is only important if it enables them to
unsubscribe to one or more of the new groups. I analyzed comp.sys.amiga
volume for two months, and calculated that, at current rates, my proposal
would result in a 65/35% split.
----THE PROPOSED NEW CONFIGURATION------
comp.sys.amiga
This group will remain virtually untouched. The only class of articles
that will be discouraged are those that match a subgroup of
comp.sys.amiga.
"This group is for general discussion about the Amiga computer.
Technical discussion belongs in comp.sys.amiga.tech. Cross-posting of
announcement-type material to a subgroup is allowed, provided that
followups are specifically directed to the more appropriate group."
comp.sys.amiga.tech
A forum for technical discussions ONLY. If it does not directly relate
to programming or hardware hacking on the Amiga computer it does not
belong here.
It you want to talk about HOW to get something done, put it here. If
you talk about WHY something would be done, put it in comp.sys.amiga.
How to write a virus: comp.sys.amiga.tech
The effects/moral issues surrounding a virus: comp.sys.amiga
"comp.sys.amiga.tech is for technical discussions about the Amiga. If
it is not about how to get things done with the Amiga, it belongs in
comp.sys.amiga. Cross-posting of announcement-type material to other
groups is allowed, provided that followups are specifically directed to
the more appropriate group."
The lower volume of this technical group should attract more high
quality technical participants.
-------------HOW TO VOTE-----------------
This proposal will sink or swim as is. If you want something else, you are
free to make a comment. Votes are requested to have a subject line that
reads something like this:
vote YES for comp.sys.amiga split
vote NO for comp.sys.amiga split
comment on comp.sys.amiga split
In the first two cases I'll just tabulate the vote. In the last case I'll
actually read the body of the message to see what is going on. Voting will
last 30 days from this date, or until votes stop trickling in, whichever is
later. This message will be reposted in 10 days and again in 20 days.
You are welcome to GIVE A REASON for your vote. My address are:
ucbvax!hoser!bryce
well!cogsci!hoser!bryce
rutgers!ames!ucbvax!bryce
bryce@hoser.berkeley.EDU
1712 Marin Ave. Berkeley, Ca 94707-2206
My system eats incoming mail on occasion. Sorry, I can't do anything about
that. If you are unable to reach these address, you may post your vote in
news.groups. DON'T post anything else about this in comp.sys.amiga. This
discussion will continue in news.groups.
--------ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS----------
Q. "I want to read everything about the Amiga. Why change what is not
broken?"
A. It IS broken for some people. The volume is to high for some people to
feel comfortable reading. Even using all the tricks such as the "n", "^N",
"k", "K", "=", and "TAB" keys.
Faced with a hundred or more unread messages, finding the information that
buried in the haystack of comp.sys.amiga can be hard. Your eyes glaze
over and your brain turns to mush as your press "n" over and over again.
Worse yet are those messages have have such a poor subject line that they
force you to either read the message or risk missing something. Add a slow
1200 baud modem to the picture and the problem gets worse.
Splitting the groups allows one to immediately slice off a large percentage
of uninteresting messages.
Obviously, if you want to get every last bit of value out, you will have to
read both groups. The total volume won't be much higher. You might end up
reading both groups, but give greater attention of the more interesting
one. You'll need to make the tradeoff between time searching for
information, and the value of that information.
Q. "The split won't help. The distinction is too muddy between the
groups. Massive cross-posting will boost the net load ever higher."
Facts:
Messages contain a header that specifies what group(s) the message is
intended for; the actual message is only sent once. Cross-posting a
message does not take more raw net bandwidth than posting to a single
group.
There is a facility in the news software that checks to see if you have
already read a particular message from another group. If this is
enabled at your site then you won't even see the cross-postings.
This split actually quite clear cut. Acrcane technical discussions are not
everyone's interest. Thus they are a prefect segment of the discussion to
separate out.
-------------GUIDELINES------------
In any high volume group, making the content of your message clear from the
subject line is very important. Be descriptive. If you are asking a
question, say so. The less descriptive you are, the greater the chance
most of the readers will simply hit 'n'.
Mark your message clearly:
FOR SALE:
WANTED:
QUESTION:
PRIVATE MAIL FOR:
In the case where you message is of regional interest, restrict the
distribution. If you know that your target audience is in the usa, don't
send the message to the entire world! Example restrictions:
na ;North America
usa ;USA
ca ;California
Please don't fiddle with the subject like of messages you are responding
to. People want to be able follow discussion threads with the "^N"
(CTRL-N) key. If you do fiddle, use parenthesis to make what you did
clear:
QUESTION: Do Llamas spit? (Was Re: Queen Mary's Grave)
NOW VOTE!
|\ /| . Ack! (NAK, SOH, EOT)
{o O} . bryce@hoser.berkeley.EDU -or- ucbvax!hoser!bryce (or try "cogsci")
(")
U "Your theory is crazy... but not crazy enought to be true." -Niels Bohr