Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!dcdwest!ittvax!decvax!decwrl!sun!amdahl!sjl From: sjl@amdahl.UUCP (Steve Langdon) Newsgroups: net.followup,net.jobs,net.news Subject: Re: Headhunters in net.jobs Message-ID: <1117@amdahl.UUCP> Date: Sat, 9-Feb-85 03:59:26 EST Article-I.D.: amdahl.1117 Posted: Sat Feb 9 03:59:26 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 11-Feb-85 04:04:23 EST References: <290@bbnccv.UUCP> <1108@amdahl.UUCP> <2331@nsc.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Amdahl Corp, Sunnyvale CA Lines: 66 Xref: watmath net.followup:4441 net.jobs:1002 net.news:3125 > In article <2331@nsc.UUCP> chuqui@nsc.UUCP (chuqui) writes: > > I think I ought to point out that the Solution is (I believe) a timesharing > system, and AA personnel a client. This implies, of course, that AA > Personnel is paying cold cash for their access to the network and > the postings they do. This also gives them a BETTER claim to do so than > many, because they ARE directly supporting the costs of the network, > rather than pretending that it is free. I think that you are struggling to make the point that you get to later in your posting. How many of the companies who are on the net are not "contributing" at least as much as AA Personnel? My reading of the maps suggests that the Solution is a leaf node, and as such is not one of the systems that is spending large amounts of resources to keep the net alive. > Rule? Usenet? Rule? (vicious, hysterical laughter.....) Lets create a > rule-- no headhunters on the net. Lets create a rule-- Chuqui can't post > any more. Lets create a rule-- No redheaded blue eyed Polish people with > lefthanded traits can post the to the net in net.jokes on alternate > Thursday. Better yet, lets TRY to enforce these rules. > > You can create rules as much as you want, but enforcement of these rules is > another matter entirely. > ... > BIG advantages of the net as it currently stands. If you want to do > something, We (meaning the fascist upper management inner circle of Usenet > dictators) can't stop you. But it also means that if someone else does > something you don't like, you can't stop them, either. > ... > Go ahead. Make rules. But I also suggest you look for ways of turning > rules into policies. Without a rule maker or a rule enforcer, a rule is a > very lonely thing. > > Chuq von rospach I think that we have now got to the substance of your posting, and reading it makes me rather sad. I detect signs of burnout from one of the more important contributors to the net. Please try and continue to be patient with the unfortunate negative side of uncensored communication. I also get frustrated at the amount of junk that I have to weed my way through to get at the gems available on the net. However, I feel that it is important that we continue to have the raw medium available. This does not mean that I support the rabid rantings we have seen recently (from Adrian etc.). In fact I support the existing moderated groups, and I am very enthusiastic about Stargate, even if, as seems likely, It will only be used for moderated traffic. This does not mean that the uncensored net is unimportant. Your reactions remind me of the ACLU supporters who left when the ACLU defended the Nazis marching in Skokie. While I abhor their views, they have the right to express them, and your committment to freedom of expression is suspect, if it only extends to people who share your views. Gordon is an articulate defender of the uncensored net. I do not believe that this disqualifies him from commenting on inappropriate use of the net. While general disapproval is unlikely to stop new users from posting "hello world" in net.general, it may discourage ongoing advertising. For example, the Solution might decide that the revenue received from customers willing to use the net in a non-commercial way exceeds that from AA Personnel. Sustained moral pressure may not be a very satisfying way of policing the net, but it is the only way to maintain the virtues of a unique forum. -- Stephen J. Langdon ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun,nsc}!amdahl!sjl [ The article above is not an official statement from any organization in the known universe. ]