From: spani@mprgate.mpr.ca (Leonard Spani)
Subject: Re: alt.alien.visitors.sewage.garbage.bullshit.crackpots.fantasy
Organization: MPR Teltech Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 92 23:05:50 GMT

Hi Gregg (and everyone else),

Here we go again... ;^)

I'm all for creating a new news group with a more serious slant towards
UFOs. Since you've initiated this attempt, I'll give you some free advice
after participating in the last few attempts:

  - leave alt.alien.visitors alone (i.e. don't try to change it or 
    rename it.) It is an "anything goes" newsgroup that provides
    access to the New Age side of UFology. Noone could ever change it.
    Besides, judging by the name, it was never meant for anything serious.

  - keep your proposal simple. You will never be able to get consensus
    with a large complicated new group proposal. Define 1 new newsgroup 
    that meets the following criteria:

	- the name *must* not pre-judge the phenomenon (i.e. alt.alien.visitors)
                                                                 ^^^^^
	- the name should *try* to fit into an existing hierarchy to avoid
	  creating a new top-level group. The net.anal.retentives get 
	  real p.o.'d at top-level newsgroups unless there is a good reason.
          You could try for a sci news group (after all sci.skeptic got
          one), but there will be less resistance in alt (IMO)

	- the name must sound "serious" (alt.ufo-crash.bang.bang.bang is
	  right out ;^)

	- the name (hierarchy) *should* be expandable if new groups *need*
	  to spin off (i.e. abductions, mutilations, crop circles) 
	  (keep in mind that something like alt.ufos.crop-circles falls
	  victim to pre-judgement) I really don't think that more than
	  one group is necessary (IMO of course).

   - don't just create a new alt group. Power tripping news admins will 
     refuse to carry it out of spite ;^) 

   - post a new group proposal to alt.config and cross-post it to other
     groups that may be interested (i.e. alt.paranormal, alt.conspiracy, 
     sci.skeptic, alt.alien.visitors, etc...) Your proposal should have 
     a group charter to say what stuff is encouraged and what is discouraged
     (be careful here!) and some hard promises for regular FAQ postings. Be
     prepared to argue as to why we need a new group instead of using
     sci.skeptic or alt.alien.visitors (no trouble for readers of these
     groups, but try convincing someone who is *not* interested in UFOs
     that it is a worthy interest) If you feel any kind of consensus,
     call for a vote. A simple "create this newsgroup Y/N?" vote is
     probably best. If you can't get consensus with one group name then
     get people to vote for 1 of the N choices (or for *no* new group).

   - try to get a promise of regular posting of research material from 
     other "serious" UFO groups or organizations (i.e. MUFON, Paranet, etc..)
     *if* (and only if) the new group is created. (i.e. "promise candy" ;^)

   - remember that a new group won't necessarily scare away the New Agers.
     All you can really promise is a charter, FAQ, and the right to discourage
     flaky postings (which nobody has on alt.alien.visitors).

   - remember to mention the benefits to the readers of other groups, not
     just the new group. Lots of alt.alien.visitors readers would *love* 
     to be able to get rid of us darn "researchers".

   - try to organize through email, with 1 person as the central
     organizer (Since you started it - I nominate you Gregg.)


What will I do? Well... I'll promise to contribute to the FAQ of the
new group if it is created. I'll even take on Roswell if required ;^)
What would I propose? 1 new group: alt.ufo.research.



Leonard.

-- 
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| Leonard E. Spani      |       //!?\\         | (disclaimer-p)       |
| spani@mprgate.mpr.ca  |       \\?!//         | t                    |
*****************-<( "everybody thinks I'm paranoid" )>-***************