chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) (05/25/84)
*gack* While I like the idea of using something like tiredgroups or some
placekeeper for unused groups, it simply doesn't work.
1) .newsrc files would have to have the groups removed from them. You lose
subscription data.
2) If you assume that the group will restart from 1, what does this do to
people who archive that group? Do you realize the hell people would go
through if net.unix-wizards started over at 1? There are a number of
sites that store old articles and rely on the fact that
<topic>/<message_number> is unique
3) If a group isn't being used, why keep it around? It seems rather silly
to me as a general principle. It is sort of like keeping the empty paper
rolls from a package of paper towels in case I ever buy one that comes
without it. Thinking ahead, but practical?
4) What does this do to the list of active newsgroups? Are ALL of those old
things kept in it even though they aren't used? you might reduced the
overhead on the system but you haven't reduced the complexity of the
network one bit for the user. That was the whole point of this in the
first place (I ought to know, I started this idiotic discussion. Again.
I should know better). You have also INCREASED significantly the
complexity of the software which is notoriously bug free already.
Great tradeoff. You gain a lot of new features of highly dubious value that
do absolutely nothing for you. I'm very impressed.
If we are going to get rid of groups (and I STILL think we need to get rid
of obsolete groups. *gack*) then they need to be gotten rid of. Deleted.
Nuked. Wasted. Removed. Made non-existant. This is an Ex-parrot! (sorry,
got carried away there). The only question is how.
Would you believe that I have a solution? (Wow! original concept!). How
about this: We create a new piece of software. Its purpose is to keep an
eye on the groups. If a group is not used for a specific period of time
(say 4 months or 6 months) this piece of software sends out an rmgroup and
notifies the network in net.news.group with an automatic message. This
makes topic reaping completely fair. There is no more worry about vendettas
(Ah HA! I'm gonna get net.wobegon if it is the last thing I EVER DO!) and
there is no sympathy voting either (I know we don't USE net.wobegon, but we
like knowing it exists. Please don't hurt us!). The only thing that matters
is usage. Use it or lose it. We can, of course, make arrangements for
worthy(?) seasonal topics like net.rec.ski if we really want to. To make
absolutely sure this software has a good idea of what the network is using
it should be on some major site (like decvax or ihnp4).
Anyway, my rant runneth over. Flames to /dev/chuqui or whatever you call it
this week. Have you ever noticed how much time we spend arguing and how
little time we spend accomplishing anything. *gack*
chuq
--
From the closet of anxieties of: Chuq Von Rospach
{amd70,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4}!nsc!chuqui (408) 733-2600 x242
I'm really gonna miss her. A tomato ate my sister...bbanerje@sjuvax.UUCP (06/05/84)
>> >> Would you believe that I have a solution? (Wow! original concept!). How >> about this: We create a new piece of software. Its purpose is to keep an >> eye on the groups. If a group is not used for a specific period of time >> (say 4 months or 6 months) this piece of software sends out an rmgroup and >> notifies the network in net.news.group with an automatic message. This >> makes topic reaping completely fair. There is no more worry about vendettas >> (Ah HA! I'm gonna get net.wobegon if it is the last thing I EVER DO!) and >> there is no sympathy voting either (I know we don't USE net.wobegon, but we >> like knowing it exists. Please don't hurt us!). The only thing that matters >> is usage. Use it or lose it. We can, of course, make arrangements for >> worthy(?) seasonal topics like net.rec.ski if we really want to. To make >> absolutely sure this software has a good idea of what the network is using >> it should be on some major site (like decvax or ihnp4). I'm in full sympathy with your goals to nuking woebegon. However, what's to prevent someone writing a piece of software that posts to their favourite group once every n months, where n is less than the zapping interval. Regards, -- Binayak Banerjee {allegra | astrovax | bpa | burdvax}!sjuvax!bbanerje P.S. Send Flames, I love mail.