From: forrie@morwyn.uucp (Forrest Aldrich)
Subject: New group creation (et al)
Organization: Vision Graphics
			  Dover, NH
			  USA
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 13:55:16 GMT

I'm all for the creation of a new MODERATED Usenet group for the topic
of UFO and Alien criteria.

However, before such a thing is done, I think there are a few things to
consider.  First of all, the moderator.  I know someone who moderates
a popular group, and it's hell.  Especially when there are a lot of
articles to go through.  To be a moderator of such a group you should 
be unbiased; have the time, energy, and committment to moderating the
group (ie dealing with articles and getting them out on a timely basis);
and be reliable in terms of your Internet/Usenet connection (ie we don't
want the moderator to suddenly disappear because of political problems
with his/her machine/site).  It can be enjoyable at times, but for the
most part it's not a joy ride.

Secondly, to create a group with the name 'alt.paranet' would most likely
not be a good idea without the permission and blessings from the people
(who work very hard) at Paranet.  Actually, I see the alt.paranet.* 
groups as a separate issue, really.  I would like to see much of the 
Paranet echo copied to the alt.paranet.* structure, so that others out
here can participate with it; that would require someone to be responsible
for posting to/from the alt.paranet.* groups to the actual Paranet echos.

Personally, I'm for the creation of a more mainstream group structure.
This will require more time, voting, and so forth.  If the group
were in one of the mainstream structures, there would be a better
distribution, and perhaps a better participation.  Not all sites carry
the alt.* groups, for exactly the kinds of reasons of what go on in these
groups.... 'moderated' or not.  As such, there are probably hundreds, if
not more, people out there who cannot participate with the discussions.  I
was one of these people (I could read the articles but couldn't post because
my parent site didn't feed the groups) until I pulled some strings, and it
was a pain.

I propose something like the following:

	Create a grouped structure from one of the mainstream newsgroups
	================================================================

	EXAMPLE:

		sci.speculation.ufo
		sci.speculation.new-age
		sci.speculation.out-of-body
		sci.speculation.magick

	    OR

		misc.speculation.ufo
		misc.speculation.new-age
		misc.speculation.out-of-body
		misc.speculation.magick

This will provide for and about other topics (as desired) appropriately,
can be moderated, and will have a widespread, even distribution which will
enable better participation... the advantages are obvious.  Granted, I don't
know whom to contact in consideration of creating such an addition to a
mainstream structure, but someone out there must know. 

I 'borrowed' the term 'speculation' from a computer service I used to belong
to, BIX, which organized several groups through this name structure.   
It does not have to say 'speculation' but I thought it to be appropriate,
given the content and type of subjects discussed.

I am willing to bet that there are indeed many, many other people out there
who would contribute positively to the UFO/Alien discussion/agenda here,
if given the chance.  The necessity for a moderator is, IMHO, imperative.
Some of the junk that's been posted here (unrelated even) needs to be
dealt with appropriately.  I'm sure some of the people posting mean well,
but this is what you get in an unmoderated, alt.* group.  That is why alt.*
groups exist... in them, anything goes.

Questions, comments are encouraged and welcomed.  Thank you...

Forrest

-- 
	   -----------	      Forrest Aldrich	      -----------
	   -------     morwyn!forrie@unhtel.unh.edu	  -------
	   ----						     ----
	   --	     VISION GRAPHICS --	Dover, NH - USA	       --
	   ------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: alt.alien.visitors