[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RFD: comp.sys.apple2 reorganization
______________________________________________________________________
OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION - comp.sys.apple2 reorganization
______________________________________________________________________
Submitted by: Brian Tao (taob@r-node.hub.org)
Date submitted: Mar 29 1993
===
=== INTRODUCTION
===
This is an official Request For Discussion concerning the
reorganization of the comp.sys.apple2 Usenet newsgroup (referred to
now as "csa2"); specifically, the creation of four new subgroups under
the current csa2 hierarchy:
csa2.comm Discussions related to Apple II data communications
csa2.marketplace Buying/selling/trading of Apple II-related equipment
csa2.programmer Discussions related to Apple II programming
csa2.usergroup Discussions related to running an Apple II user group
All four proposed newsgroups will be UNMODERATED. Charters for
each newsgroup are posted below in this article.
Comp.sys.apple2 currently acts as a "catch-all" newsgroup for
Apple II-related discussions. As such, it may reach over 100 new
articles per day with several dozen threads active at once. In
preliminary discussions on csa2, many readers have expressed the
desire to see a few broad-interest newsgroups created under the csa2
hierarchy so that 1) message traffic on the main newsgroup is reduced,
and 2) Apple II users who are interested in a particular aspect of the
computer will not have to sift through irrelevant news articles.
General topics relating to the entire 8-bit Apple II family and
the 16-bit Apple IIGS personal computer should be posted to the
original csa2 newsgroup. Because of the intent of this proposal
(i.e., to divide Apple II-related discussions into more manageable
groups), cross-posting to several csa2.* groups is not encouraged.
However, if you're not sure where to post, then use csa2!
Please note than this proposal does not include the removal or
renaming of comp.sys.apple2 itself. Csa2 will remain as the top-level
newsgroup in this hierarchy.
Although not in strict accordance with the procedure described in
the "Guidelines For Usenet Group Creation" document, it was felt that
a single RFD and a single ensuing CFV (with individual votes on a
per-group basis) would be more desirable. See the "comp.sys.mac
reorganization" RFD posted by Chuq Von Rospach (chuq@apple.com) on Feb
19 1990 for a good example of a multiple-group RFD.
The RFD period will commence when this article appears on
news.announce.newgroups (cross-posted to news.groups, comp.sys.apple2
and comp.sys.apple2.gno) and will end 28 days hence. At that point, a
Call For Votes (CFV) may follow. Follow-ups concerning this proposal
will be directed to news.groups. All consenting and dissenting
opinion should be posted publicly on news.groups and may be cross-
posted to comp.sys.apple2 only. Do not e-mail comments to me, or post
only in the csa2 newsgroup (and neglecting news.groups). Discussion
on the four charters and the structure or wording of this proposal
will be entertained.
===
=== 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.)
This proposal also calls for the merging of the "a2bbs" mailing
list, currently maintained by Doug Granzow on the ProLine BBS network
system. Creation of csa2.comm will expand the distribution of this
popular mailing list (over 100 readers) to the Usenet domain.
===
=== 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)
===
This is the 2nd RFD for the creation of csa2.programmer. The
original RFD was submitted by Richard Muise (881045m@ace.acadiau.ca;
address may not be current) on Jul 8 1992. The current charter is
based on Richard's original proposal.
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.
This proposal also suggests the merging of the HyperC-L mailing
list, currently maintained by Steve Craft (scraft@graphics.rent.com)
at ccsvax.sfasu.edu. Hyper-C is a freeware C compiler designed for
the 8-bit Apple II family.
===
=== CHARTER: comp.sys.apple2.usergroup (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.usergroup 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.usergroup. Other comp.sys.* hierarchies may want to consider
adding a similar subgroup if csa2.usergroup proves to be successful.
--
Brian Tao:: 90taobri@chasm.scar.utoronto.ca (University of Toronto)
::::::::::: taob@r-node.hub.org (r-Node BBS, 416-249-5366, FREE!)