karl@ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) (09/15/88)
In article <10476@ncc.Nexus.CA> lyndon@ncc.nexus.ca (Lyndon Nerenberg) writes: >In article <2610@inco.UUCP> mack@inco.UUCP (Dave Mack) writes: >> [...] >>I'm not sure how useful this would be actually be, however. There is >>very little traffic in the biz groups. Presumably, this is due to >>horrible connectivity and/or lack of interest. > >Connectivity is quite good. I think the lack of traffic is caused by >the majority of net readers not knowing the groups are there, or not >knowing their purpose. If Karl doesn't speak up I'll post the biz >"policy statement." Well, since I haven't posted this in a while, and you asked for it.... Wed Sep 14 21:56:29 CDT 1988 Please send comments to 'karl@ddsw1', or post them as followups. Discussion is welcome. Please; if you have interesting information to share on various hardware and software products (whether you produce them or not!) post it in the appropriate place. And if you administer a netnews site, tell your neighbors about the 'biz' groups -- KSD] Charter for the 'biz' distribution. Contents: I. What is BIZ II. Posting, receiving, and forwarding guidelines III. Obtaining a top-level group IV. Administrative issues and concerns Note: This is a consensus government, with some anarchy thrown in for good measure. These are just guidelines which I feel are appropriate to the distribution. Agree or disagree as you see fit, but please refrain from being destructive. Newgrp/rmgroup wars and worthless flaming help _no one_. I. WHAT IS BIZ BIZ is a distribution of newsgroups which are carried and propagated by sites interested in the world of business products around them -- in particular, computer products and services. The distribution currently encompases only the computer-related business, although the break-down points for other lines of business have been allowed for (ie: the 'hooks' are there). As a result, this may eventually grow to be a distribution medium for information from all sorts of manufacturers. The structure has been set up to maximize the selection capabilities of the individual sites which will be carrying these groups. As originally envisioned, 'biz' is a place where companies can support their products free from the inevitable charges of 'commercializing' the Usenet. Some commercial material will undoubtably be present in that which is posted to 'biz', in fact, as long as the material posted is factual (as opposed to marketing 'hype') it is encouraged. The following newsgroups will be created at the outset: biz.config - Configuration discussions. biz.control - Control messages and distribution biz.newgroup - New group requests biz.test - Of course biz.comp.hardware - Non-vendor specific hardware forum biz.comp.software - Non-vendor specific software forum biz.comp.software.demos - Demonstration versions of software biz.comp.services - Non-vendor specific services forum biz.comp.telebit - Telebit modems and other telebit stuff biz.comp.xxxxx - Other companies who wish a group The groups at the top are considered 'general'; any posting within the description is welcome. The groups below the split are created for specific traffic; Telebit due to anticipated high volume of information, and 'mcs' because we would like a group for our support functions as well as product announcements. II. POSTING, RECEIVING, AND FORWARDING GUIDELINES Those users who post to the 'biz' distribution should direct their general questions to the appropriate non-vendor specific forum, unless they are vendor-specific, in which case posting to a vendor's group is acceptable. Companies are free to use their own forums (if they have one), and post to the non-vendor specific forums as well (or if they have not obtained their own group). HOWEVER -- companies should *not* cross-post to both their own group and the non-vendor specific groups. If the material posted deals with your firm's products or services, and you have your own group, post it there. If you do not have your own group, then use one of the "generic" groups which best fits your product or service. Each site which receives and propagates these groups should know that the following is considered 'standard policy' with regards to these groups, and should be willing to try to comply with the 'biz'nets requests in this regard. 1) Messages of a commercial nature *will* appear in this distribution. If you do not want to or cannot have this material on your machine, or if your communications methods prohibit this type of activity, you should not receive or forward 'biz'. Firms who are using the 'biznet' are actively encouraged to offer support, suggestions, and light factual advertisements and announcements on the 'biznet'. 2) Postings should show, at a minimum, some level of intelligence. Obnoxious flames will be resoundingly cancelled. Postings from customers and the like should *not* be interefered with if they are posted to a non-vendor specific group (what you do with your own namespace is up to you, but censorship is likely to be noticed and will undoubtably be frowned upon...) 3) Advertising is permitted. However, mindless drivel and 'puff' is annoying, useless, and may prompt people to refuse to forward your group(s). It is thus recommended that firms stick to the hard facts in their postings, and not attempt to be inflamatory or 'puff' their products. III. OBTAINING A TOP-LEVEL NEWSGROUP If you are a company (incorporated or not) and want a top-level newsgroup (with possible subordinate newsgroups under the top): 1) All firms wishing to have a group for themselves (or multiple groups) should first obtain a feed of the *current* biz groups. Once you have done this, post a message to 'biz.newgroup' requesting the group name you wish to use. If there is no overwhelming scream of anguish :-), a 'newgroup' message may be sent by you (or will be sent by us here) a couple of weeks later (we will, and you should, wait 14-21 days to allow all sites to receive and comment on your proposed name). If you post the 'newgroup' yourself, *please* post it to biz.control. All sites receiving 'biz' should receive and forward this group, as it is where control messages related to the 'biz' distribution will appear. 2) No firm's top-level group should be moderated. Free discussion is one of the primary purposes of this forum. If you feel you need a moderated place to sound off, create a group under your top-level (ie: biz.comp.mcs.support). 3) Any firm which has a top-level group should feel free to act as 'god' with regards to groups under their top-level. This means that creation of multiple groups under the top-level within reason, cancellation of inappropriate messages in your *own* group, etc. should all be considered 'legit' activities. However, you should use your censorship "right" with extreme caution. 4) Bogus newgroup messages, or those which have not been preceeded by notification to the biznet as a whole (ie: if you do not follow 1-2) will be promptly cancelled or 'rmgroup'ed at 'ddsw1' as soon as it's obvious what has occurred. This should tend to cut down on the number of bogus group creation messages that are passed (or at least act to remove their effect quickly). Note that we will not pass judgement on the proposals; all we ask is that your proposal be aired a few days before you take action. IV. ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS AND GUIDELINES All networks need some form of administration. We at 'ddsw1' will provide the service of sending newgroup messages, providing feeds (system capacity permitting), and other miscellaneous administrative functions for as long as the users of the 'biznet' desire our services. A couple of common questions which have been asked of me (and points brought up on the net when the discussion was taking place there): Q. Creating many newsgroups is bad, isn't it? Won't it break a lot of smaller systems? A. There is nothing inherently wrong with many groups. What IS bad is a group which is not used. The news software does have a "builtin" limit of 512 newsgroups, but this can be easily changed with a few minutes work and a recompile (it's a tunable constant). Some machines might not be able to handle changes to this -- those systems (PDP-11s and similar probably fall in here) will simply be unable to carry all of the biznet. Q. Won't commercial postings just make the net into a place of commercial exploitation, as occurred with roadsides when billboards were erected, for example? A. I doubt it. There is a fundamental difference -- those who carry the groups can STOP if the level of noise gets too high. Since there is a natural check and balance on a company's activities, this problem should not occur. If it does, then the offender can be isolated given that the others who carry the net really find the material offensive or useless. This is impossible with something like a billboard -- remember that the owner of the board does not bear any additional cost from a *particular* renter. Q. How do I get a feed of the biznet? A. If you are unable to find a local feed (try posting to the regular usenet; you are likely to find someone who has the groups) you may feed from 'ddsw1' at 2400 baud or PEP (Trailblazer). 1200-baud feeds are discouraged, but we will accept them if you have no alternative. Send your request to 'ddsw1!usenet' for your login id and further instructions. Make sure you include your system name and a return path to your site from a well-known system (ex: codas, rutgers, ihnp4, etc). Suggestions are, as always, welcome. -- Karl Denninger (ddsw1!karl) Data: (312) 566-8912, Voice: (312) 566-8910 Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. "Quality solutions at a fair price"