On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 09:21:52 -0500, Tom Watson wrote:


... .snip
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Posted on Sun, Mar. 13, 2005



There's still a lot of use for Usenet


ayup


The Internet's defining characteristic is its interactivity, and one
of the oldest tools for this is Usenet. America Online recently
decided to drop Usenet from its services.

This, along with generating howls of protest from some, has led others
to question the viability of Usenet as a useful tool for individuals
and businesses.


So if AOL drops it, it's no longer viable?

.... snip
Despite the fact that Americans, and English speakers in general, are
disproportionately represented, participation is worldwide, which has
led some over the years to suggest that Usenet can help people better
understand one another and bridge differences between countries and
cultures.


"disproportionately represented"? By whose standards? Something about
that paragraph just really rubbed a raw nerve.



.... snip

Usenet can still be a valuable resource, for discussing what is on
your mind and gauging what is on the mind of others.

"AOL doesn't get it," Nathan Boyle said in a discussion at CNET, a
technology news and information site, following a CNET article about
AOL's decision to drop Usenet.


Using AOL as the signpost of the future is problematic.

.... snip


Thanks for the post Tom.




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The absence of accidents does not mean the presence of safety
Army General Richard Cody
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