pag@hao.UUCP (Peter Gross) (11/14/84)
[This discussion began in net.news.group, but I have moved it
to net.news because that is a more appropriate group.]
Actual lawsuits resulting from (even unscreened) broadcasting of
netnews are highly unlikely. Let's face it -- we are getting into an
area where existing laws are inadequate. It will be quite a while
before anyone outside of USENET even realizes what is being beamed
down. There have been no lawsuits yet under current USENET structure,
have there? If everyone sits around constantly worrying about lawsuits,
broadcasting will never happen.
Prediction #1: it won't ever get off the ground. Pity. The fear of
legal reprisals and finger-pointing are only part of the reasons why.
Prediction #2: given current growth rates of USENET, even without a home
micro infusion, volume will become so large that the many sites will
no longer be able to continue phone transmission in less than two years.
The amount of traffic (most of it compressed) through our site is
incredible, and has been growing steadily. Without fundamental changes,
USENET will collapse from its own weight. And I'm not talking about
"students returning in the fall". I'm just waiting for the day
when management comes by and says "we just can't pay these phone
bills any more".
Comments welcomed....
--peter gross, doomsayer
hao!pag