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