I dropped a note to webmaster at Big-8.org and got this interesting reply.
Responses were made in-line.
Key points - B8mb may want to revisit whether to include binaries and
possibility of converting to a moderated group. Don't know how this is done
or if it is feasible? Any thoughts??

=====================================

I frequently use an electronics discussion group
news:alt.binaries.schematics.electronic which is a good forum for
engineers and technicians to exchange technical material. Is there any
way to somehow include this group or modify it so that it fits within
your guidelines?

We sort of went on the warpath against binaries when the board
was formed in 2006 or thereabouts.

We may have to revisit the issue.

The problem is that folks will use any binaries group as a
tool for circulating warez.

Maybe a moderated binary schematics group? That costs time,
money, and flack.

Yes, I am a Verizon customer but trying to move forward and find if
there is a way to maintain my communications. I do appreciate the spirit
of what you are doing. There are way too many bogus groups

Please distinguish: we had nothing to do with Verizon's decision.
Any trimming of groups that we've done has had nothing to do with
alt.* groups.

Thank You for any guidance you may render

Robert Oppenheimer
Electrical Engineer
LUDL Electronic Products
Hawthorne, NY USA

Nice talking with you.

Marty
co-chair, b8mb
Canisius College
2001 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14208

Oppie wrote:

I dropped a note to webmaster at Big-8.org

In a group ? Where can I read it ?


and got this interesting reply.
Responses were made in-line.
Key points - B8mb may want to revisit whether to include binaries

Excellent news since invaluable for the sci groups and some rec ones.


and possibility of converting to a moderated group.

That needs someone with the time to be a moderator. I post to only one
moderated group for example and it's clear to me that although the traffic
isn't very high, it makes definite demands on his time.


Don't know how this is done or if it is feasible? Any thoughts??

I'm interested in learning.

I'm also interested if the 'big 8' might broaden their scope slightly to become
a big 10 or 12 since some of the existing heirarchy is overly restrictive.

e.g a 'tech' hierachy in addition to 'sci'. That alone could unblur some very
fuzzy lines.

Also maybe 'pro' to indicate groups relevant to professionals in their field
whatever that might be.

Also, you Americans may not be very aware of many 'country groups' like uk.
aus. fr. and de. What happens to them under the USA's new freedom of Speech
restrictions ?

I'd suggest country.groupname.countrycode. That would clarify the specific
country groups too.


=====================================

I frequently use an electronics discussion group
news:alt.binaries.schematics.electronic which is a good forum for
engineers and technicians to exchange technical material. Is there any
way to somehow include this group or modify it so that it fits within
your guidelines?

We sort of went on the warpath against binaries when the board
was formed in 2006 or thereabouts.

We may have to revisit the issue.

The problem is that folks will use any binaries group as a
tool for circulating warez.

Maybe a moderated binary schematics group? That costs time,
money, and flack.

Yeah - no hope.

Rather than moderating every INPUT post at present - now about a moderator who
can delete a post that's unsuitable 'after the event'.

That would require news servers to co-honour message cancels of course, at
least in such groups. Surely not too hard.

Graham