From: adc@tardis.msu.edu (Alan D. Cabrera)
Subject: Re: RFD: rec.games.netrek reorganization
Reply-To: adc@tardis.msu.edu
Organization: Michigan State University
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 92 16:33:08 GMT

In article 27404@reed.edu, horde@reed.edu (Mr. Heiji Horde) writes:
> In article <BxIHnn.Cw@uunet.uu.net> adc@tardis.cl.msu.edu (Alan D. Cabrera) writes:
> >This is the Request For Discussion regarding the proposal to split 
> >the newsgroup rec.games.netrek, containing discussion of the game netrek.
> >
> >rec.games.netrek.announce (moderated)
> >Moderated by Alan D. Cabrera (adc@tardis.cl.msu.edu). If anyone 
> >else is interested in assisting contact Alan.
> >
> >rec.games.netrek.programmer (moderated)
> >Moderated by Alan D. Cabrera (adc@tardis.cl.msu.edu). If anyone 
> >else is interested in assisting contact Alan.
> 
> Just a quick question...who died and made you GOD?
> 
> You want to regulate who can talk about what in the realm of netrek
>   programming? I don't see any logical reason for wanting to moderate
>   the discussion of how to hack the netrek server/client/'bot code.
>   You going to pass on to this moderated group EVERY time they want
>   to ask a 'how to write this/that' question?
>   [come on, not even rec.games.xtank.programmer is moderated]

The reason I would like to see those groups moderated is that r.g.n
posters are notorious for their lack of self-control and going off on a
tangent.  I myself don't need to be THE moderator, I just want to make
sure that the discussion sticks to announcements and programming
stuff.  When I posted the RFD I just put my name in.

Ideally, there would be a set of moderators.  That way, if one went on
vacation the group wouldn't grind to a halt.  Also remember that the
same incentive that makes a netrek server god even-handed, if he/she is
a tyrant no one will play on their server, is the same incentive for a
moderator to be timely and even handed, if he/she isn't no one will use
the group.

> >rec.games.netrek.inl
> >Discussions directly related to the Intercollegiate Netrek League, INL.
> 
> Technically, it should be more like INTERNATIONAL Netrek League. Don't
>   forget our friends overseas (the ENL- European Netrek League?). And not
>   all of us go to college (though maybe we do work there).

Good point.  Someone else also brought this up.  I then suggested
rec.games.netrek.leagues.

> >NEWSGROUP CREATION
> >The discussion period will be from November 7th, 1992 to November 30th, 1992.
> 
> Considering that I'm on the INTERNET, and I didn't receive this until
>   the 10th, I feel there is something really wrong about having the
>   discussion period starting on the 7th. [Even if it did have to go through
>   tale for the news.announce crosspost.]

I apologize, our news server had the flu this week.  Nov. 30 isn't
carved in stone and if the debate is heated enough, I imagine we could
lengthen it.

> Anyhow, where did this come from? I don't remember seeing and real discussion
>   of any sort of reorg in r.g.n recently. I'm mot sure if a reorg is really
>   needed right now. In terms of traffic, I show 189 articles in my news spool
>   directory and that is with a 4 day expire.

I tried to discuss it on r.g.n and got harrassed for not doing it the 
proper way and posting an RFD.  I'm only following the rules posted
by the gods at uunet.uu.net.  I will send you a copy of those rules.

Your sample of the newsgroup load is skewed.  The light load you see at
the time you checked isn't representative of the kind of load that's
typically generated when a flame war begins.  No one can argues that
flame wars on r.g.n, or any un moderated group for that matter, doesn't
happen on a regular basis.  Anyway 99% of those 189 articles is
garbage; typically people with whinney remarks about other teams and
players.

Actually, one sees an implicit request for this split when one begins
to count the shear number of mailing lists that are available for
netrek.  I'm in at least three.  These lists are not mentioned in FAQs
hence new users aren't aware of their existence.  Splitting the
newsgroup would accomplish the same goals that these mailing lists hope
to accomplish and yet still be readily available to new users to
browse.


---
Alan Cabrera				internet:  adc@tardis.cl.msu.edu
Computer Laboratory			phone:     (517) 353-3027
Michigan State University		fax:       (517) 353-9847
514 Computer Center			bitnet:    CABRERA@MSU
East Lansing, MI 48824

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