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Information about uk.* newsgroup hierarchy

UKNETNEWS - Other Resources

Below is a copy of what was at one time a weekly post in uk.net.news.config of the resources available carrying information about the uk.* newsgroup hierarchy and their Charters (definitions). It is recommended that all readers of the uk.* newsgroups should also subscribe/read uk.net.news.announce, a low traffic group that informs of current proposals for new newsgroups and related information.

Totally 'unofficial' but may be useful to people.

This is 'unofficial' as this is a summary of announced resources, as well as the fact that this has been created by one person on their own. Some input from others has been received.

Sections of this document

0. Introduction

uk.net.news.config is for discussing the creation/modification of uk.* hierachy newsgroups. If you wish to propose a new group, see the document "Guidelines for Group Creation within the UK hierarchy", posted to uk.net.news.announce and available from many sources shown below.

Posts relating to HOW the hierarchy is managed or voting methods SHOULD be posted in uk.net.news.management .

1. General Comment

RFDs and any other correspondence with 'control' and 'committee' is preferred as PLAIN TEXT, as that is how the RFD/Charter/Fast-Track announcement will appear as Plain Text.

Use of MIME, web pages ( HTML ) and word-processor formats will only cause delays, to any proposal as the proponent will be asked to resubmit in plain text format. This posting has been sent using plain text format.

When sending email 'control' and/or 'committee' email addresses, use your REAL email address. Use of 'spam-blocking' and 'address munging' will mean any proponent will not see any responses, acknowledgements or their proposal going forward.

1.1 Configuring Newsreaders

For a guide on how to configure your web-browser or newsreader for posting to uk.* newsgroups it is recommended that users see <http://www.usenet.org.uk/ukpost.html>.

2. Pointers to Information on uk.* newsgroups and creation

Ever since the committee (committee@usenet.org.uk) and control (control@usenet.org.uk) got established there has been a growing collection of archives and information about the uk.* newsgroup hierarchy.

This is an attempt to gather together all known internet resources that hold information about the hierarchy, newsgroup that exist as well as rules and procedures for setting them up. Most of the information is frequently posted in uk.net.news.announce, which you are recommended to subscribe to.

Any other related internet resources pointers are welcomed.

2.1 World Wide Web (WWW) resources

    <http://www.darkstorm.org/ukusenet/uk.usenet.faq.html>

A very useful FAQ and overview of the procedure and common questions asked about creating newsgroups.

    <http://www.usenet.org.uk/>

This site contains the rules and procedures about the hierarchy along with group and hierarchy charters.

    <http://www.ukvoting.org.uk/>

This site is the home pages of UK-VOTING

    <http://www.uk-mentors.org.uk/>

Home page for UK Mentors to assist in group creation

    <http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/>

The RFD maker, web site is a way to assist in writing an RFD for a new newsgroup, if still in doubt contact the UK Mentors above.

2.1.1 The Perils of Moderated Newsgroups

Often proponents would like to create a moderated newsgroup, to reduce the off-topic posts and spam. Please be aware this is NOT an easy thing to do, as it really requires:-

either a team of moderators

or arrangements with a permanently connected machine to run moderation software (which the proponent will have to find).

For an FAQ on the problems of single moderator on a newsgroup see the following web page - <http://www.eyrie.org/~eagle/faqs/mod-pitfalls.html>.

2.2 FTP archives

2.2.1 Imperial College

This site appears no longer to exist.

2.3 Email Servers

Due to diminishing usage of email server with more and more easier web access and increasing spam levels. This service is being withdrawn early in 2004.

Regular postings of this FAQ and others will still continue.

2.4 Mentors (need help with your proposal)

See also <http://www.uk-mentors.org.uk/>

There is a group of volunteers able to provide assistance with your proposals, called the UK Mentors. This is run by a mailing list and their assistance can be sought by

Asking control or the committee to forward your proposal for assistance. They might also suggest you contact the UK Mentors in some cases.

Contacting the UK Mentors directly via email at

<mailto:mentor-request@uk-mentors.org.uk>

Please see the UK Mentors document <http://www.usenet.org.uk/mentors.html> or from other sources, to see what the mentors can do for you.

Note

That the mentors can assist you with formation of your RFD and the proposal's passage through the creation process. This does NOT guarantee your proposal will be successful and will still require work from the proponent for a successful proposal to become a new newsgroup.