[humorix] On Topic Usenet Newsgroup

[James Baughn <jbaughn@ldd.net>]

On Topic Usenet Newsgroup
John Elfrink, electricmonk@mailcity.com
March 30, 2000

The Internet community was stunned  yesteday when a new
Linux newsgroup was announced. Though not newsworthy by
itself, what made the new group unique is that it will
actually be focused on discussing Linux and not just
bashing Microsoft and Bill Gates.

The announcement quickly spread to
alt.movies.joe-vs-volcano, nearly eliminating the heated 3
month debate about what one of the four ghosts from pac-man
is the best. From here the news branched out to such
newsgroups as alt.wolves.hybrid and
soc.college.financial-aid.

Skepticism abounded in the early hours of the announcement.
However, rec.collecting.cards.non-sports, a group long
known for its monitoring and debunking of Internet hoaxes,
quickly confirmed the news.

"I was stunned," said one alt.personals.jewish user. "The
last time I even remember an on topic post was probably 3
years ago in
misc.forsale.computers.mac-specific.cards.video right after
that big flamewar about who had the best chocolate chip
cookie recipe."

The Linux newsgroup is being founded by Ben Thayer, a cajun
cheff from fairbainks Alaska who manages the alt.archery
newsgroup, and Don Thatt, a highschool geography teacher in
Naples, Florida who moderates the
rec.crafts.textiles.quilting newsgroup.

"Don and I have known each other from the
alt.military.police newsgroup for some time now," said Mr.
Thayer. "We were talking one day about how there wasn't a
good place to talk about Linux ever since
rec.sport.water-polo changed and started discussing the
tragadies of Shakespeare."

"It was actually Ben who first suggested the idea," said
Mr. Thatt. "We both had experience moderating newsgroups. 
Ben, for instance, founded rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang as
a place for people who are fans of Star Trek."

The posters at alt.music.pet-shop-boys are eagerly awaiting
the launch of the new Linux newsgroup. "Everyone can't wait
to get started," said one user. "Even the crossposting to
alt.snowmobiles has sparked interest."

Preliminary work is still being done. The newsgroup should
be available for posting by early next week.


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