From: Kay.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org (Kay Shapero)
Newsgroups: alt.music.filk
Subject: more suggestions
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 92 17:06:24 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:102/524 - StormGate Aerie, Los Angeles CA

I've probably said enough about this already, but after reading Mike 
Whitaker's and other peoples' suggestions about rules, more explanation 
may be needed for you folks over on usenet.  Yes, this is important.

FILK is a FIDOnet echo.  First, and foremost, it is a FIDOnet echo, since 
I am having it carried on the FIDOnet backbone, and am thus subject to the 
rules for doing so.  OK - any echo carried on the FIDOnet backbone must 
have an individual who is referred to as "the moderator" in spite of the 
fact that usenet uses this term for a different function.  In order to 
avoid confusion, I shall henceforth use the term "Designated Topic Cop" 
(DTC) to refer to this construction in this message.  Goodness knows I have 
NO desire to function as a usenet moderator; not with the traffic this 
thing carries...  The DTC is _obligated_ to 1) make rules for the echo.  
This is the equivalent of a usenet charter, but may be changed on occasion 
by the DTC.  2) post these rules at least onec per month and 3) enforce 
these rules.  Not by being a net.nazi, but by noticing when people are off 
the topic and telling them to stop.  This is what the "kabonging" of 
threads is about - my noting that things are off topic and asking all and 
sundry not to be off topic.  More personal warnings go via netmail.

Now - on FIDOnet, along with the responsibility to keep order (basically 
they don't want flamewars flooding the backbone; this stuff takes up a heck 
of a lot of room as it is), comes the power to enforce things by, if 
necessary, having an offensive user ejected for being "excessively 
annoying".  This is NOT possible on usenet.  I have no intention of trying 
to do this on usenet (or anywhere else in internet land this may arrive).  
I DO intend to continue to follow FIDOnet policy in regards posting rules, 
with such parts as are strictly intended FOR FIDOnet clearly marked as such 
(cf. rule 6).  If I want to keep this thing on the backbone I have no other 
choice.

So; I like the idea of having all you folks on usenet join us.  I like the 
idea of alt.music.filk since it takes some of the pressure off of Rick, and 
also of you folks who were getting two screens of header with every five 
line message.  I am willing to make some accomodations to usenet for this 
feature, including making it obvious that the enforcement policy in the 
rules is intended solely for FIDOnet.  BUT, if it becomes impossible to 
keep up the requirements that I am obligated to keep up for FIDOnet, I will 
have no choice but to pull the link to usenet.  This will NOT kill any 
newsgroup that exists at that time, but it will remove the FIDOnet input 
from it.  I do not anticipate needing to do this; I think you folks are 
civilized enough not to abuse the priviledge.  But this is essentially an 
experiment.  If it does not work out, then it will be ended.  (And I will 
probably promptly subscribe to alt.music.filk separately, and crosspost 
things from time to time, but that's another story!) 



--  

Kay Shapero
Internet: Kay.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org
Compuserve: >internet:Kay.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org