spell@seq.uncwil.edu (Chris Spell) (05/07/91)
RENEWED REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION
Unfortunately, due to the fact that the vote for comp.sys.hp48 and
comp.sys.hp48.d was run as a single vote to create two groups, we are
going to run the vote over as multiple parallel votes. The newgroups
for those groups were issued a little prematurely; please remove them
if you have them at your site.
The original call for votes succeeded by 171:56, but the relatively
high number of no votes compared to other outwardly uncontroversial
proposals suggests some problems either with the names or with the way
the previous vote was conducted. So, in this discussion period we
would like to reconsider the names to better fit in the USENET
namespace. Hopefully then, with the vote run as a standard parallel
vote, the main administrative objections will have been fairly
addressed.
Here are the names we propose now:
comp.sources.hp48 moderated, for HP 48-SX source code postings
comp.sys.handhelds.hp48 unmoderated, for general HP 48-SX discussion
comp.sys.handhelds.misc unmoderated, renamed from comp.sys.handhelds
Our primary objective is to provide specific groups for the HP 48-SX;
the renaming of .handhelds is incidental, but not critical to the
proposal. Renaming .handhelds to .handhelds.misc will allow new
handheld groups to be easily created and will match the USENET
namespace more appropriately. Ideas to create groups for other
handhelds should be addressed in another proposal.
HISTORY AND MOTIVATION:
HP 48-SX topics and source code postings dominate comp.sys.handhelds,
often squeezing out worthwhile discussion which is otherwise suitable
for the group. To break out the 48 traffic to its own groups would
allow people who want to post about other machines to not feel
overwhelmed and unheard.
CHARTER FOR comp.sources.hp48:
The purpose of this moderated group is to allow uniform source
postings, informative postings, and anything in general that is worth
archiving. Each posting will have a standard rkive(1) header to
permit automatic archiving of the articles posted.
The moderator will be responsible for posting all articles in timely
fashion. The moderator will attempt to test all source before
posting, and review such postings as time permits. Source will be
posted in asc format, uuencoded if necessary, and rpl or assembly when
available. While every effort will be made to ensure submissions
represent functional code, there is, of course, no guarantee of
function or suitability for purpose by the moderator.
The moderator will maintain a frequently asked questions list which
will be posted on a regular basis to the unmoderated group. The
moderator will attempt to handle simple questions by mail, except when
answers are deemed sufficiently useful to the group to be included in
a digest. This should reduce the volume of such questions in
comp.sys.handhelds.hp48, and afford people who might feel
uncomfortable about posting a "stupid question" a measure of
flame-retardance.
The position of moderator will be held by Chris Spell
<spell@seq.uncwil.edu> until such time as he wishes to name a successor.
CHARTER FOR comp.sys.handhelds.hp48:
This unmoderated group is for general discussions. Anything
permissible within the rules of net etiquette may be posted here
pertaining to the HP 48-SX or such systems sufficiently similar as to
warrant the interest of HP 48-SX users. A frequently asked questions
article will be maintained and posted by the moderator of
comp.sources.hp48.
PROPOSAL SCHEDULE:
This renewed discussion period will last for approximately ten days,
after which a 21 day vote will be held.
SPONSORS:
Chris Spell <spell@seq.uncwil.edu>
Jeff E Mandel <mandel@vax.anes.tulane.edu>
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The authors wish to thank the following individuals, without whose
assistance, this proposal would not be possible:
David C Lawrence <tale@cs.rpi.edu>
Gene Spafford <spaf@cs.purdue.edu>