taylor@hplabsc.UUCP (03/27/87)
Well, I just got off the phone with some people, and it appears that I committed quite a gaffe - forgetting all my reporter background I didn't bother to find out what the facts really were before going off half-cocked. As it turns out, while my concerns are shared by others, they simply aren't applicable in this situation. I hereby withdraw my comments and ask that they be chalked up to laziness and ignorance on my part. I also hereby apologize for anyone I either directly or indirectly have slandered or impinged upon during my period of (uh) erroneousness. *sigh* On the other hand it did show me that it is much more difficult than it should be to find out what the status of the various projects the USENIX Association is or have been funding. As a consequence of this, I will be sending a letter to the board saying essentially what this does and requesting that the previous message I sent them be saved in mailfolder +null *wry smile* but also suggesting that the projects funded be required to have a one-pararaph status printed in each issue of ";login:" or something similar. Again, I am sorry for this confusion and hostility - it's been totally uncalled for and I am to blame. *head hung low in embarassment* Perhaps I'll just withdraw from the net for a few weeks and ``cleanse my brain'' or something... -- Dave Taylor --
ccplumb@watnot.UUCP (03/30/87)
Actually, Dave Taylor had a good point buried in his posting. (I think so; please be restrained in flaming if you don't.) Namely, there has been a long tradtion of zero *entry* cost into the UUCP/usenet system. You just go up to a leaf node and grovel. Now, the backbone sites pay great sums of money to keep things running, and even the average cost of maintaining a UUCP connection exceeds any fees being talked about today... BUT I think the idea that you can get into the system at no cost is a very good one, and contributes a very desirable spirit to usenet. Even though it isn't currently threatened, it should be carefully looked after. It's easier to say to a boss, who doesn't see the need for external mail or netnews, that it doesn't cost anything except a phone line for a few hours a night and some work on your behalf, than that there is a price tag (however small) on the facility. Then, people can get to liking, it, maintaining the system can become an official activity, long-distance links can be set up, your site can feed others, etc. Usenet has a great communal atmosphere, and I wouldn't want to risk it. -- -Colin Plumb (watmath!watnot!ccplumb) Silly quote: It's a fiat accompli.