dorai@psyche.rice.edu (Dorai Sitaram) (12/29/89)
When I see the list of soc.culture.* groups, I notice a yawning hole where soc.culture.german should be! This hole is particularly gaping considering the recent demolition of the Wall, but single-shot sensational upheavals aside, scg would be an appropriate medium for postings on the people, culture, customs, events, hopes and fears in the German(-speaking) part of the world. How about it? I can't imagine there would be anything less than overwhelming (read newsgroup-forming) interest, both among Germans and non-Germans, in creating such a newsgroup. The group need not confine itself to the (currently) two Germanys, but also address Austria and Switzerland. (The name "german" would then be negotiable, I guess, except in the sense "German-speaking." This kind of superset group would be along the tradition of soc.culture.arabic, soc.culture.indian, soc.culture.nordic and soc.culture.latin-america.) Anyway, IMHO, scg (or whatever the name) is long overdue, and it would be a very interesting group should it materialize. Currently, there is no other group where would-be-scg topics can be aired, except maybe s.c.nordic, and that by a long stretch of the imagination. This posting is only an informal suggestion. I'm hoping some German/Swiss/Austrian (or someone tremendously into these countries) who also is knowledgeable about newsgroup formation will issue a formal call for discussion and subsequently votes. --dorai "just a Germany-watcher with a fragile familiarity with the language" -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It may be that the gulfs will wash us down; It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
karls@hpccc.HP.COM (Karl Schricker) (12/30/89)
Dorai Sitaram (dorai@psyche.rice.edu) writes: > When I see the list of soc.culture.* groups, I notice a yawning hole > where soc.culture.german should be! I've been wondering about this gaping hole myself! > How about it? I can't imagine there would be anything less than > overwhelming (read newsgroup-forming) interest, both among Germans and > non-Germans, in creating such a newsgroup. The group need not confine > itself to the (currently) two Germanys, but also address Austria and > Switzerland. (The name "german" would then be negotiable, I guess ...) I'm certainly interested. Currently, one has to rely on newspapers and magazines shipped from overseas (at an outrageous cost) to keep up with current issues. It definitely should include Austria and Switzerland, and IMHO a name of soc.culture.german would suffice. > This posting is only an informal suggestion. I'm hoping some > German/Swiss/Austrian (or someone tremendously into these countries) > who also is knowledgeable about newsgroup formation will issue a > formal call for discussion and subsequently votes. Yes! Anyone? If we don't perceive it having enough traffic to merit a newsgroup, how about a mailing list? Karl Schricker karl@hpcts.corp.hp.com