ss6349@leah.Albany.Edu (Steven H Schimmrich) (05/20/89)
This is a call for votes on a proposal to create SCI.GEO -- an unmoderated newsgroup to discuss the earth and planetary sciences. Send votes for or against the proposal to "SS6349@LEAH.ALBANY.EDU". The following should clear up any questions regarding the newsgroup proposal. What is SCI.GEO and why is it needed? ------------------------------------- SCI.GEO is the proposed name for an unmoderated newsgroup to discuss the earth and planetary sciences. There currently does not exist any newsgroup for the discussion of geology, paleontology, geophysics, planetology, meteorology, climatology, etc. except where they might fit into other newsgroups such as SCI.BIO, SCI.ASTRO, SCI.CHEM, SCI.PHYSICS, SCI.SPACE, etc. There are no SCI newsgroups dealing specifically with the earth sciences and this one would fill that gap. I believe that the newsgroup would also be broad enough to stimulate interest and discussion by non-professionals in the above fields. I can envision discussions on plate tectonics, earthquake risks, petroleum reserves, mass extinctions, dinosaurs, claims made by creationists, the geology and meteorology of other planets, ice ages, the greenhouse effect, el nino, etc. What were the results of the discussion period? ----------------------------------------------- During the one month discussion period (begun by the posting of article <1775@leah.albany.edu> to NEWS.GROUPS on April 20), the postings and all of the mail I received indicated a positive interest in the formation of a newsgroup to discuss the geological sciences. I received no responses against the proposal. The only point of contention among the respondents was what to call the newsgroup. Most felt that SCI.EARTH, the original suggestion, was not the best choice although they would support such a group regardless of what it was named. The various suggested alternate names were SCI.GEO, SCI.GEONOMY, SCI.PLANETS, SCI.PLANETS.EARTH, SCI.EPLAN, and SCI.EARTHPLANET. The largest number of respondents supported SCI.GEO which I believe to be the best choice being both brief and succintly describing the purpose of the newsgroup. How long will the vote last? ---------------------------- The call for discussion was posted on April 20th, this call for votes is being posted on May 20th, and the voting will last until June 20th. No votes will be accepted after that date. In two weeks, I will post a reminder of the call for votes, and on June 21st I will post the final voting results. If I have received 100 more YES votes than NO votes, the group should then be created shortly thereafter. How do I vote for the creation of SCI.GEO? ------------------------------------------ To vote for the creation of a SCI.GEO newsgroup, send mail to : SS6349@LEAH.ALBANY.EDU and explicitly state in the text of the mail message either "Yes, I vote for the creation of a SCI.GEO newsgroup" or "No, I vote against the creation of a SCI.GEO newsgroup." Don't bother suggesting new names for the newsgroup, that stage has passed. It will be named SCI.GEO or it will not be created (at least through my efforts). To make the vote counting easier for me, may I suggest placing either YES or NO on the subject line of your mail message. I will try to acknowledge the receipt of each vote. REMEMBER -- DON'T POST YOUR VOTE INSTEAD OF MAILING IT! A POSTED VOTE DOES NOT COUNT! Please, If you want to see the group created then mail me your vote -- this is not too controversial a topic so every vote will count and is needed. Thank you for your time. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- | Steven H. Schimmrich | Internet : ss6349@leah.albany.edu | | Department of Geological Sciences | "The Rock Men are very primitive | | State University of New York at Albany | Flash, they have no science." | | Albany, New York 12222 (518) 442-4470 | Dr. Zarkhov. | -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --