🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <xlxr9co4jyf.fsf@gold.cis.ohio-state.edu>,
Matt Curtin <cmcurtin@interhack.net> wrote:

> (I really hate web-based fora...it's a perfect example of using the
> wrong tool for the job. Usenet was built for this stuff; the tools
> that support it are mature and highly functional...why not use them?)

FWIW, I do... you'll note I'm a frequent poster on cmh.general &
oh.general, and I lurk cle.general.  I intend to continue.

Good point about Usenet vs. web-based, though.  However, there are
advantages to web-based.

Firstly, it tends to introduce people to online discussion.  True
Usenet access (i.e. nntp) is not available on many service providers,
and you'd honestly have to be looking for Usenet to learn about such
websites as deja.com- not something the net newbie is likely to do.
Even those service providers that do carry Usenet access oftentimes
bury it in the service so, once again, you'd have to be looking to find
it.

Secondly, the rigor of registering newsgroups- even within the alt.*
hierarchy- does not spark interest in creating new groups nowadays.
Newly created specialized groups of limited interest often are stunted
due either to outright rejection of the charter, or an unwillingness on
the part of news admins to carry a group with little traffic (a vicious
cycle, as no coverage means no traffic means no coverage).

Finally, the organization of a group of specialized fora (gotta love
Latin!) on one website of general interest will create the necessary
traffic to sustain all forums on the site.  While a newsgroup on Ohio
genealogy might not survive in the Usenet jungle (even under oh.*), it
stands a better chance on a successful Ohio website where it is more
highlighted for newcomers.  Of course, this is assuming the website
itself is successful.
--
Jeff Billman
Columbus, OH


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