gts@dmcnh.UUCP (02/06/85)
[Stargate: The final frontier.] I have heard a lot from each side, and would like to add this: -There is no doubt that stargate or something similar that will cut down on the centralized cost burden is necessary to maintain USENET in any form. -As the moderators get more comfortable with their services, they will fear reprisal less and less as they realize they can control any reprisals. -As each 'landmark' lawsuit hits the papers and a new precedent for libel is set, wild paranoia is inevitably going to sweep the moderators and stricter controls will have to be set. -Someone is going to make the statement "My signoff will contain 16 words-- the length of each word will correspond to a digit (10 letters = 0) of a credit card number" or some such nonsense. -No one will ever be allowed to post again as all the moderators go into hiding in foreign countries. +-------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------+ | USENET: decvax!ittvax!sii!dmcnh!gts | | DISCLAIMER: The content of this | | USMail: 14-F Hampshire Drive | | message is the sole responsibility | | Nashua, NH 03063 | | dmcnh!gts and does not necessarily | | NEBell: (603) 880-2069 | | reflect the policies of Datamedia. | +-------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------+ Watch this space for sixteen word signoffs. It is impossible, though, to understand what I mean. (5453 7482 2062 0414)
bob@islenet.UUCP (Robert P. Cunningham) (02/08/85)
Let's not forget that the sort of moderation proposed for the stargate
material is not something completely new. The "fairwitnesses" on the
mainline Conference Tree bulletin board systems have been doing
essentially the same thing for many years now.
The Communitree group -- which developed the Conference Tree concept and
sofware -- is now disbanded, but hundreds of the systems continue in
operation. The software comes with clear & excellent guidelines on
libel and similar issues.
Among the public-access computer bulletin board systems, the Conference
Trees are remarkable for their wide-ranging discussions on a
variety of controversial topics.
--
Bob Cunningham ..{dual,ihnp4,vortex}!islenet!bob
Honolulu, Hawaii