evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) (11/01/89)
Amongst the complaints of stagnation, the flaming about namespace, and the creation (sigh) of alt.sex.masturbation, I would like to solicit comments on an idea I've been sitting on for a while. I would like to propose three new groups: comp.unix.digest comp.unix.digest.d comp.unix.digest.request (I'm not religiously devoted to that naming scheme. It seems appropriate, but I'm willing to listen to better alternatives.) PURPOSE: comp.unix.digest is intended to be an 'electronic magazine' in the same way as, say Unix World, but on a totally volunteer basis (and without ads :-) The scope of it would specifically include (but not be limited to) - Product reviews of Unix-related hardware and software; - Details of industry events which don't otherwise receive wide distribution; - Opinion and analysis pieces on relevant issues; - Progress reports on Unix-related developments anywhere. It would specifically exclude official company statements and new product announcements. Employees may not review their own company's products, but VARs and dealers may review products they resell. comp.unix.digest.d would be a place where people would discuss (or add to) issues raised in comp.unix.digest. comp.unix.digest.request has a twofold purpose: - To suggest topics people might like to write about; - For readers to suggest what they'd like to see; DISTRIBUTION: comp.unix.digest would be moderated, the other two unmoderated. I propose myself as moderator (qualifications below). The intent of this is to produce it in digest form (ala comp.risks). I would also act, literally, as an editor - rejecting badly written or inflammatory pieces (one can be controversial without being inflammatory), and possibly editing others to make them more concise and/or readable. Ultimately, if this works well and stabilizes, there would be a number of writers who would either cover specific 'beats', work on assignments (so that five people aren't re-inventing the same wheel at the same time), or just submit something at random. What makes me think I can edit the works of others or have the judgement to accept or reject certain articles? I have a graduate degree in Journalism, and have served as writer and editor for a number of newspapers, including the Toronto Sun and the Toronto Star (before getting into computers). I am presently a regular contributor to Computing Canada on Unix issues, and I'm working on revitalizing the newsletter of /usr/group/cdn. COPYRIGHT: At this point in time, I am proposing a compilation copyright on the moderated group. This is to recognize the input I plan to give the 'digest' through editing and choice of content. The copyright I propose explicitly grants unlimited distribution rights of the compilation, provided that the 'digest' itself is not altered for re-distribution or sold. I do not believe that to be too restrictive. CONCLUSION: What I would like to find out is: 1) Is there widespread enough interest in such an idea at all? Would people read it and/or write for it? 2) Is it acceptable enough to justify being in the conventional namespace, or do I have to join/create an alternate hieracrchy? 3) Even if people are wary of this idea's ability to succeed (or my ability to edit it), is it at least worth a trial run? I'm going to do this anyway on my own system for local distribution. My interest now is knowing whether or not it would be worthwhile to have netwide participation and readership. -- Evan Leibovitch, Telly Computing, located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario evan@telly.on.ca / uunet!attcan!telly!evan If you're smart enough to be a programmer, you're too smart to be a programmer