Aucbvax.2946
fa.unix-wizards
utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!unix-wizards
Fri Sep  4 15:04:28 1981
Re:  PROPER FORUM
>From mike.bmd70@BRL Fri Sep  4 14:55:10 1981
Gentlepeople -

       My concern about UNIX-WIZARDS being the proper forum stems from
comments several months back, where a rash of "wizards" dropped off the
list because of the increasing triviality of the messages being sent.
We must try to cater to the people who have only a limited amount of time
to devote to reading their mail.  On the other hand, I enjoy reading these
messages, because this way I can keep informed.  The discussion on the CS-11
strongly reinforced some of our purchasing decisions, and saved us (The
Guv'mnt) a lot of time & trouble.  However, I get nearly 100 letters a day,
and consider myself fortunate that I can take the time to read them all.

       There are only two mechanisms that I know about which we can use
to try and insulate those people with limited time from the full blast
of mail:

1)  Separate into several mailing lists.  Discussions on hardware used with
   UNIX is useful.  Comments about Bugs & Troubles are critical.  Meta-
   discussions are useful in assessing where we are and where we are going.
   All are important.  Perhaps they should be separate lists with overlapping
   memberships.

2)  Adopt a "Digest" Format like SF-LOVERS or some of the other big lists,
   with the moderator serving as a "filter" for junk mail, and re-directing
   simpler inquires to appropriate people without hitting the whole list.
   Would anybody care to moderate the list?

BRL has a strong commitment to UNIX, and we encourage discussions about UNIX.
If SRI gets overwhelmed by the burden of distributing the list, or if we
"clone" several lists, we will be glad to take on the task of mailing the
stuff.  Enough of it comes from here, anyways.

I am also concerned about the USENET participants.  We really need to be
able to interact with them in a better way, yet UUCP gateways to the
ArpaNet are VERBOTEN.  The only umbrella I know of is CSNET...

Can we reach some kind of agreement on how the list should grow and
expand?  It should be easier (because I just volunteered mail services),
but it should be conherent!

                               Cheers,
                                -Mike

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