richardt@orstcs.UUCP (richardt) (10/30/85)
Having been a net user for nigh on a whopping six months, and having
a reasomnable amount of experience with BBS', I suspect that the net is
coming to a point where one thing must be decided:
*** WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF USENET ??? ***
I would suggest that UseNet is providing the base of a communications
network which can eventually grow to be one of the few true global
communications systems. So far, UseNet has been relatively free from
censorship. It has remained a fairly open system. However, the number
of new sites and users has increased dramatically within the recent past.
This has caused what has been described as an "Information Overload."
In this case, there are too many people trying out their new 'legs.'
Several solutions have been suggested for this problem: Keyword-based
news systems, modified voting/creation procedures, and a number of other
gimicks. Basically, they all boil down to one of two things: (1) exert
more control over the contents of the net, thereby reducing the volume and
the noise-to-signal ratio, but also reducing the usefulness of the Net as
a *human* communications medium; and (2) improve the basic workings of the
Net so that it can handle the increased volume and diversity.
I consider the first alternative to be too high a price to pay to reduce
the noise-to-signal ratio. Even assuming that we get past the basic question
"what is appropriate subject matter for x newsgroup?," we are still
faced with the creation of a central authority over the Net. I do not think
this is a good idea. Why? Not because I distrust Gene Spafford or any of
the System Adminstrators on the Net, but because I distrust myself. I do
not wish to see that much power in the hands of any one person or group.
Therefore, what can we do to improve the workings of the Net? I think that
the first major task to be accomplished is the determination of our purpose.
What are we here for? I consider us to be a *Human* communications network.
I am sure others disagree. If enough people think this is an innacurate
goal, I will quietly crawl back into my hole at Oregon State University.
I will be sorely disappointed with the people of the Net, however.
Assuming we all agree on the basic purpose of the net, what can we do to
improve it? I'm not sure. I plan to put some heavy thought into just that
subject, and I would appreciate input from everyone else on the net.
If we seem to be getting somewhere, I think we should post notices on the
high volume newsgroups and get as much of the net involved as possible.
I think these are decisions that must be made within the near future, as
they will affect the future of the net for at least the next few years.
Stepping off the Soapbox:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{hp-pcd | tektronix} !orstcs!richardt
Richard Threadgill
1230 NW 23rd #7 - SnailMail address recently changed
Corvallis Or