kanefsky@cs.umn.edu (Steve Kanefsky) (11/20/89)
Since there seems to be interest in the formation of a video software
newsgroup, and since there seems to be no clearly defined place for
these discussions to take place at present, I will stick my neck out
and call for the discussion of a new newsgroup called rec.video.software
This is a formal call for discussion on the formation of a new newsgroup
to be called rec.video.software (the name is also up for discussion, for
those who may be opposed to the use of "software" in this context).
This unmoderated group would be for the discussion of video software in any
currently available format, including VHS, S-VHS, Beta, ED-Beta, 8mm, and
Laserdisc, as well as past and future video formats.
Some of the primary uses of the group might include:
* Announcements and discussion of upcoming releases on video
* Queries about the availability of particular titles in particular
formats
* Reviews of new releases (in terms of video and sound quality
and other factors relevant to the video transfer)
* General discussion about the relative merits of particular formats,
related only to their suitability for the presentation of pre-recorded
video software.
* Discussion concerning the distribution of video software: pricing,
rental versus purchase, copy protection, etc.
Note that this group would in no way take the place of either Rec.arts.movies
or Rec.video. Rec.arts.movies would still be used for discussions of the
content of movies and Rec.video would still be used for the discussion of
video hardware and non-commercial software. There needs to be a group,
however, where people knowledgeable about movies and people knowledgable
about video can get together and discuss what's good and bad about the
video software market. As an analogy, think of this group as rec.music.cd,
while rec.video would be rec.audio and rec.arts.movies would be rec.music.*
Well, there it is. I'm putting this up for discussion until December 4th,
at which time I will formally call for votes, assuming there is sufficient
interest in the group (and sufficiently little interest in *not* having
the group) and assuming we have the name and charter worked out properly.
[Note that followups have been directed to news.groups, where the discussion
should take place. If you follow up to this article and are not discussing
the formation of rec.video.software, be sure you aren't posting to
news.groups.]
--
Steve Kanefsky
kanefsky@umn-cs.cs.umn.edu