🚀 go-pugleaf

warwick@cs.uq.edu.au (Warwick Allison) writes:
>This group seems to just be an echo of the problems and solutions
>(often just crossposts) as the main comp.os.linux.* groups.

Warwick, I think you are missing the point(s).

Firstly, as I'm sure you are aware, the traffic volume in the
comp.os.linux.* groups is enormous.  As a consequence it is more than
likely that either nobody will answer your queries, or that you will
miss the reply.  By having this group, not only do we provide a forum
where local "experts" can help people with their problems, but we
help reduce the traffic in c.o.l.* by providing a first port of call
for people with problems.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, having this group available, 
for whatever purpose, helps to foster a sense of community for Australian
Linux users.  I don't know how long you've been reading this group, but
I recall the early days when there was little or no traffic, and I must
say I prefer the way it is now.

>There ARE Australia-SPECIFIC Linux issues, such as CD-ROM retailers,
>FTP sites, net access, and user-groups.  But they get lost in the noise.

I find this a strange comment, from someone who reads the comp.os.linux.*
groups, to be complaining that a.c.l has so much traffic that they can't
keep up.  ~10 messages per day is hardly overwhelming, and if it is I'm
sure judicious use of a kill file would fix your problems.

Further, if we did limit the newsgroups to those topics you mention
above, not only would we have 3 auto-postings per week, but nobody
would read them anyway because the group would be so boring.

[ And Australian net access surely has more appropriate groups. ]

Hope this clears things up a bit.

regards

 - Mike

p.s. Though I admit the crossposts bug me.