Repost: New comp.sys.apple2 charters

[90taobri@wave.scar.utoronto.ca (TAO BRIAN T)]

    The four new comp.sys.apple2 subgroups have been around for almost
a month now and things are going smoothly.  There are still a minority
of csa2 readers who do not get the new groups.  I have kept copies of
the official control messages if anyone needs them to convince their
sysadmin to carry the newsgroups.

    I will repost the charters of the four newsgroups here, for the
benefit of new csa2 readers and for those who aren't aware of the new
groups.  Please post in the proper newsgroup -- that is why they were
created!  If you feel you must cross-post, please set the Followup-To:
header to a *single* newsgroup.  There have been complaints of
duplicated messages appearing on systems which don't auto-kill
cross-posted articles.

    This article will be reposted once a month on comp.sys.apple2
until the start of the next academic school term so that everyone is
aware of the changes.

- Brian


===
=== CHARTER:  comp.sys.apple2.comm (unmoderated)
===

    The original proposal called for the "comp.sys.apple2.bbs"
newsgroup.  The new name is offered here as a more accurate
alternative.  Topics suitable for discussion in csa2.comm include (but
are not limited to):

 1. Telecommunications software (ProTERM, ANSITerm, ZLink, TIC, etc.)
 2. Bulletin board software (METAL/FutureVision, ProLine, Warp Six,
      GBBS Pro, Prime, etc.)
 3. Online services (GEnie, CompuServe, America Online, etc.)
 4. Telecommunications hardware (high-speed modems, building cables,
      selecting a serial card, etc.)
 5. Networking (AppleShare, LocalTalk, Ethertalk, CAP, etc.)
 6. Cross-platform connectivity (IBM-to-Apple, Apple-to-Macintosh,
      Apple-to-UNIX via UUCP, etc.)


===
=== CHARTER: comp.sys.apple2.marketplace (unmoderated)
===

    A very active segment of any comp.sys.* newsgroup is the
discussions related to the buying and selling of used computers,
peripherals, old software, etc. between private individuals. 
Currently, all messages of this type are posted to csa2 or one of the
misc.forsale groups.  Csa2.marketplace proposes to focus all Apple II-
related "for sale" or "wanted" postings and their discussion in one
newsgroup.  Commercial listings are inappropriate for csa2.marketplace,
as per Usenet guidelines.


===
=== CHARTER: comp.sys.apple2.programmer (unmoderated)
===

    Csa2.programmer will be a newsgroup for the discussion of
programming techniques, reference information and hardware pertaining
to the entire Apple II family.  Topics that can be covered include
(but are not limited to):

 1. Programming the Apple II in any compiled or interpreted language
      (C, Pascal, BASIC, assembly, Forth, HyperTalk, etc.)
 2. Source code fragments that may be of interest to the Apple II
      programming community
 3. Specific programming and operating systems (Merlin 16+, ORCA
      shell environment, HyperC, GS/OS desktop programming, etc.)
 4. Information pertaining to the Apple II hardware architecture
      (softswitch locations, addressing the Ensoniq sound chip,
      accessing slots, using DMA, etc.)

    Paragraph (2) does not advocate the posting of complete source
code to csa2.programmer.  Comp.sources.apple2 exists for such a
purpose.  However, small fragments of code illustrating a particular
algorithm or a reader's problem are allowed.

    Discussions relating to Procyon's GNO/ME multitasking programming
environment, normally falling under Paragraph (3), are usually of a
very specific nature.  They should generally be limited to the
comp.sys.apple2.gno newsgroup, with cross-posting to csa2.programmer
if a wider audience will benefit.

    Paragraph (4) does not include general hardware questions
(installation, repair, upgrades, best hardware product to buy, etc.) 
Articles of this nature should be posted to csa2 or csa2.marketplace
as appropriate.


===
=== CHARTER: comp.sys.apple2.usergroups (unmoderated)
===

    The user group is perhaps the most important resource for any
computer user, more so for the Apple II family than for many other
platforms.  With dwindling visible Apple II support from Apple, Inc.
and a scarcity of large third-party companies supporting the Apple II,
the user group becomes an invaluable asset for both novices and
veterans alike.

    The charter for this group comes from the NAUGSAW promotional
literature, an Apple User Group convention held annually in
different cities across North America:

  "Sessions will focus on helping User Groups effectively
   serve members and communities. They will identify common
   challenges, brainstorm new concepts, and discuss how best
   to meet those needs. Topics will include forming a group,
   obtaining non-profit status, affiliating with other groups,
   setting up a BBS system, publishing newsletters, volunteer
   management, case histories, fund raising, and more."

    The creation of csa2.usergroups will unite Apple II user groups
from around the world.  It will serve as a forum for the exchange of
ideas, as well as discussion of common problems inherent in running an
Apple II user group.  Representatives of user groups with Internet
access can draw upon the collective knowledge and experience of others
on csa2.usergroups.  Other comp.sys.* hierarchies may want to consider
adding a similar subgroup if csa2.usergroups proves to be successful.

--
Brian Tao:: taob@io.org (Internex Online, 416-363-3783, 10 lines, v.32bis)
::::::::::: *** Note that my <taob@r-node.hub.org> address has changed ***