From: rray@lookout.it.uswc.uswest.com (Randy J. Ray)
Subject: RFD: rec.models.scale
Followup-To: news.groups
Organization: US WEST Communications, Inc. -- Denver, CO
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 20:53:24 GMT

I would like to open a Request For Discussion on a group to be named 
rec.models.scale, to discuss the various aspects of scale modeling. While there
exist groups such as rec.models.rc and rec.models.railroad, their specific
nature leave many hobbyists excluded from the majority of discussions (all, in
some cases). The group I propose is meant to exist in place with the current
rec.models.* groups. I have included a rough draft, tentative charter below as
a starting point for discussion. I would like discussion and revision of the
charter to take place for at least 3 weeks, and no more than 4 weeks, before a
vote will be taken. Thank you.

                  Proposed Charter for rec.models.scale
                  -------------------------------------

PURPOSE
=======
The designated purpose of this group is to discuss the hobby of scale
modeling. Within this realm is included static (display) models, radio-
controlled models built to specific designs, railroad modeling, model
rocketry, and many other aspects. However, the scope of this group is
restricted to construction techniques and issues, discussion of materials
and kits, discussion of local, national, and international events, and
other topics that pertain to the general hobby of craftsmanship. This
group is not a forum for discussion of controls (radio or remote), for
discussion of performance of RC engines, rocket motors, or any other
subject that, while part of a modeling-related hobby, does not pertain
to craft skills. This group is meant to, among it's primary purposes,
augment the existing rec.models.* groups by providing a forum for the
reader that is more directed towards "How do I do this?" rather than
"Brand X motors only deliver half the promised power." While modeling
is generally associated with plastic kits and IPMS (the International
Plastic Modeler's Society), this group will not be affliated with IPMS,
nor will it be limited to plastic modeling.

GUIDELINES
==========

1) The group will be unmoderated.

2) The group will be under the existing rec.models hierarchy, and exist
to provide discussion in areas not generally covered by rec.models.railroad,
rec.models.rc, or rec.models.rockets.

3) Any discussion pertaining to craftsmanship, review of materials or
kits, events pertaining to the hobby, events such as air exhibits that
pertain to original subjects modeled, or request for information about
any aforementioned subject, is welcomed. Subjects such as comparisons of
motors for functional models, or engines for flying rockets or aircraft,
is discouraged. "Help needed trying to mount Brand X engine in my home-
built model plane" is within this sphere, where "Brand Y remote system
doesn't work 20 feet away" is more suited for rec.models.rc, as a
question about the proposed NMRA (National Model Railroad Association)
Control Standard, which deals not with the construction and painting of
the models, but rather with the controlling of operational models, is
outside the sphere.

4) The forum is not sanctioned by, recognized by, or in anyway associated
with the International Plastic Modelers' Society, the National Model
Railroad Association, the Association of Military Modelers, or any such
hobby organization.

5) The forum is not devoted solely to modeling exact duplicates of hist-
orical items. Science fiction, fantasy, or any other imaginative subjects
are equally welcome. The forum recognizes that people model that which
interests them, be it a prototype F-4 Phantom II, or an entirely fictional
spacecraft. The purpose is to discuss technique, not debate selection.

6) The forum is not restricted to plastic modeling. The finest craftsmen
use those mediums which suit their task. They do not fit the task to a
specific material. Discussion of metal, wood, plastic, fiberglass, or
any other materials is within the sphere of the newsgroup.

NAME
====
The name rec.models.scale was chosen for several reasons:
        1) To fit within the hierarchy already established by rec.models.rc,
                rec.models.rockets, and rec.models.railroad.
        2) Because the name does not imply any bias to a specific topic
                in modeling, or a specific approach.
        3) And because all models are built to represent a specific subject
                in a display medium relative in size to the original. Even
                when the original is fictional in its own origin, there is
                still an element of scale in the fact that the model can be
                (and generally is) a different size, usually smaller, than
                the original.

Though the name rec.models.misc has been suggested, rec.models.scale 
maintains an unbiased stance while specifying that the basic subject is to
create representations of existing or fictional objects in a size (possibly)
other than the original.

-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Randy J. Ray -- U S WEST IT/CSD         rray@{lookout,uswat}.it.uswc.uswest.com
I'd rather talk religion with Charles Manson than discuss ethics with Congress.
     -me                                                   Phone: (303)595-2852
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