Philip R. Banks
07-19-2003, 05:12 PM
Welcome to the Comp.Sys.Acorn newsgroups.
=========================================
Last modified on the 8th of June 2003
* New email address for comp.sys.acorn.announce submission as well as new
email address.
This is a weekly introductory posting intended to aid newcomers to the
newsgroups in finding the right place to post, where the various FAQs lurk
and general conventions observed in the groups. For reader convenience this
document can be found on the WWW, in a hypertext format, at :-
http://www.geocities.com/~banksp/Archives/Welcome.html
The Comp.Sys.Acorn newsgroups are dedicated to the discussion of all
matters Acorn. Before launching into the groups it is worthwhile spending a
moment or two identifying which newsgroup to post to, whether or not your
question has been answered already in one of the FAQ lists and whether or
not your post conforms to the general guidelines that constitute netiquette.
Failure to check on the appropriateness of your post generally results in
you being reminded, frequently politely, of your mistake - both publicly and
privately.
Newsgroups
Here are the charters for each Acorn group, as defined when the group was
voted for and created. (These copies of the charters have been mildly edited
to ensure relevance.) The charters roughly define what constitutes
appropriate topics for discussion in the group. If none of the groups quite
fit, then it is possible your message is best suited to the misc group.
comp.binaries.acorn
Distribution of binaries for Acorn machines.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderator at
cba@bridge.wn.planet.gen.nz and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well
configured news software will do this automatically for you.)
comp.sources.acorn
Distribution of sources for Acorn machines.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderator at
csa@bridge.wn.planet.gen.nz and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well
configured news software will do this automatically for you.)
comp.sys.acorn.advocacy
Here you can hold long debates why the ARM610 is better than the 586, why
Translator's user interface is so very bad (or good!), or why Acorn should
lower their prices. If you hold your wars here, the people who want to
actually *do* things can get on with their work in the other Acorn groups.
comp.sys.acorn.announce
This will be a low-noise group in which announcements about (products
for) Acorn computers or the ARM can be made, as well as additions to public
archives, FAQ lists, virus alerts etc.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderators at
csaa@owlart.net and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well configured
news software will do this redirection for you automatically.)
comp.sys.acorn.apps
For discussions of software packages and applications on Acorn machines
from a *user* viewpoint. There should be no programming discussions in this
group.
comp.sys.acorn.extra-cpu
Comp.sys.acorn.extra-cpu is open to discussion on all aspects of
processor cards for the Acorn range of computers. The scope of discussion
includes setting up problems, compatibility issues, hardware matters,
multiprocessing operating systems (e.g. TAOS) and anything else which
relates to these cards. The scope of discussion specifically excludes
matters which *solely* relate to the processor in question, which should be
discussed in the appropriate group.
comp.sys.acorn.games
comp.sys.acorn.games serves as a forum for the discussion of games on
Acorn machines. Topics that may be discussed include:
* Announcements of new games releases
* Original game reviews
* Magazine game review summaries
* Discussion of general aspects of Acorn games
* Hints and cheats for games
comp.sys.acorn.hardware
For discussions of hardware on Acorn machines from both technical and
user viewpoints.
comp.sys.acorn.misc
For discussions which do not fit into any of the other categories. Please
try to put your post in the correct group, before you resort to posting here.
comp.sys.acorn.networking
For discussions of networking on Acorn machines, this includes modems,
tcp/ip software, WWW browsers, ethernet cards and other comms hardware and
software.
comp.sys.acorn.programmer
For discussions of Acorn related programming matters. This includes Acorn
specific C, BASIC, Assembler (6502 or ARM.) Generic ARM code should be
discussed in comp.sys.arm.
FAQ Lists
Various FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) Lists abound for the Acorn world.
Their aim is to answer commonly asked questions before they get asked in the
newsgroup. Hopefully this will reduce both the redundant traffic and the
annoyance factor for long time readers, as well as helping the newcomer to
the group.
* Acorn FTP and mail-server archives
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.networking,
comp.sys.acorn.misc.
Comprehensive list of Acorn related FTP and mail server sites with a
brief description for each site on its type of content.
* Comp.{Binaries,Sources}.Acorn FAQ
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.acorn, comp.sources.acorn,
comp.sys.acorn.announce
Details on policy regarding the moderation of comp.binaries.acorn and
comp.sources.acorn as well as submission details.
* Comp.Sys.Acorn FAQ List
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.misc.
WWW: http://www.vigay.com/riscos/FAQ/
A general FAQ that covers the ground that more specific FAQs don't, as
befitting its home newsgroup of comp.sys.acorn.misc. General information
about Acorn machines (hardware, OS, software etc...) as well as an email
list of Acorn companies on the net and a smattering of Acorn related web
pages.
* Comp.Sys.Acorn.Announce Charter
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce.
WWW: http://www.owlart.net/csaa/
Detailed charter document on what is, and is not, acceptable for
submission to be posted on the newsgroup comp.sys.acorn.announce.
* comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.games.
Accumulated answers about Acorn games in development, tips for coding
games and general advice on games for Acorn machines.
* comp.sys.acorn.networking Frequently Asked Questions
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.networking.
WWW: http://www.jeffray.co.uk/csan-faq.html
Accumulated answers and wisdom on the networking of Acorn computers.
Included is information on setting up TCP/IP and Ethernet networks, AUN
and the companies involved in the Acorn networking scene.
Netiquette
As with any social group there is a basic standard of behaviour expected
of group members. This is primarily intended to facilitate easy, relaxed and
fruitful discussion amongst members with a minimum of conflict and strife.
If entirely new to Usenet, then subscribing to news.announce.newusers and
reading the FAQs there is an extremely good idea. However general advice
includes :-
* Before posting consult the relevant FAQs to see if your question is
answered there. Asking questions already in the FAQ tends to irritate the
FAQ maintainer at the very least and often also annoys long term readers
of the group who have probably seen and answered your question several
times before.
* If none of the FAQs answer your question then it is frequently worthwhile
consulting a news archive service like DejaNews and searching for the
topic of interest.
* Money making schemes, chain letters and similarly intrusive off-topic
posts are not welcome.
* Advertising a commercial service or product is not welcome anywhere
except the comp.sys.acorn.announce group, submit your advertising to the
moderators of that group. But referring a poster on to a commercial
product or service that solves their problem is generally okay.
* If new to the groups read them for a week or two first, to get a feel for
the topics and conventions the group members talk about and use.
* Don't cross-post unless you really need to. It breaches the separation of
topics that the newsgroup hierarchy provides.
* If you must cross-post, or are following up to a cross-posted article,
check the groups being cross-posted to. Don't be afraid to remove groups
that are not relevant to the contents of your post.
* When cross-posting then do not post multiple identical articles to each
different newsgroup. Use the Newsgroups header and post the article just
once, that way readers will only have to download the article once and
often only read it once.
* Don't post binaries or source files, submit them to the moderator of
comp.{binaries,sources}.acorn instead. People frequently pay to download
news and binaries can get expensive quickly, not to mention annoying,
when unwanted.
* If you feel a discussion has now changed topic sufficiently to now be
best suited to another group, consider using the Followup-To: header to
redirect the discussion to that group. When doing that it is polite to
say as much in the post itself.
* When posting a private advertisement place at the start of the subject
line either 'WTD:', for a wanted to buy advert, or 'FS:', for a for sale
advert. That way people who wish to ignore adverts can easily filter them
out.
* When posting please trim your reply and keep line lengths to less than 80
characters. Not everyone has high resolution displays, fast connections
or the latest software to read your postings. Try to be as concise and
brief as possible.
* Replying is generally best done by putting your answer directly below the
segment you are replying to. That way people can read the previous
posters comments and see what you are replying to without having to
backtrack and read older postings. If you aren't directly replying to it
then trim it.
Other than that just being generally polite is a good rule of thumb. That
and enjoy yourself, the newsgroups are here for you to enjoy just as much as
anyone else.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All additions, corrections & suggestions for this document should be sent to
banksie@paradise.net.nz. Being the maintainer of this document I reserve the
right to be wrong, incorrect, slow, out of date and generally how I please
with it.
=========================================
Last modified on the 8th of June 2003
* New email address for comp.sys.acorn.announce submission as well as new
email address.
This is a weekly introductory posting intended to aid newcomers to the
newsgroups in finding the right place to post, where the various FAQs lurk
and general conventions observed in the groups. For reader convenience this
document can be found on the WWW, in a hypertext format, at :-
http://www.geocities.com/~banksp/Archives/Welcome.html
The Comp.Sys.Acorn newsgroups are dedicated to the discussion of all
matters Acorn. Before launching into the groups it is worthwhile spending a
moment or two identifying which newsgroup to post to, whether or not your
question has been answered already in one of the FAQ lists and whether or
not your post conforms to the general guidelines that constitute netiquette.
Failure to check on the appropriateness of your post generally results in
you being reminded, frequently politely, of your mistake - both publicly and
privately.
Newsgroups
Here are the charters for each Acorn group, as defined when the group was
voted for and created. (These copies of the charters have been mildly edited
to ensure relevance.) The charters roughly define what constitutes
appropriate topics for discussion in the group. If none of the groups quite
fit, then it is possible your message is best suited to the misc group.
comp.binaries.acorn
Distribution of binaries for Acorn machines.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderator at
cba@bridge.wn.planet.gen.nz and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well
configured news software will do this automatically for you.)
comp.sources.acorn
Distribution of sources for Acorn machines.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderator at
csa@bridge.wn.planet.gen.nz and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well
configured news software will do this automatically for you.)
comp.sys.acorn.advocacy
Here you can hold long debates why the ARM610 is better than the 586, why
Translator's user interface is so very bad (or good!), or why Acorn should
lower their prices. If you hold your wars here, the people who want to
actually *do* things can get on with their work in the other Acorn groups.
comp.sys.acorn.announce
This will be a low-noise group in which announcements about (products
for) Acorn computers or the ARM can be made, as well as additions to public
archives, FAQ lists, virus alerts etc.
This is a moderated newsgroup, posts should be sent to the moderators at
csaa@owlart.net and not posted directly to the newsgroup. (Well configured
news software will do this redirection for you automatically.)
comp.sys.acorn.apps
For discussions of software packages and applications on Acorn machines
from a *user* viewpoint. There should be no programming discussions in this
group.
comp.sys.acorn.extra-cpu
Comp.sys.acorn.extra-cpu is open to discussion on all aspects of
processor cards for the Acorn range of computers. The scope of discussion
includes setting up problems, compatibility issues, hardware matters,
multiprocessing operating systems (e.g. TAOS) and anything else which
relates to these cards. The scope of discussion specifically excludes
matters which *solely* relate to the processor in question, which should be
discussed in the appropriate group.
comp.sys.acorn.games
comp.sys.acorn.games serves as a forum for the discussion of games on
Acorn machines. Topics that may be discussed include:
* Announcements of new games releases
* Original game reviews
* Magazine game review summaries
* Discussion of general aspects of Acorn games
* Hints and cheats for games
comp.sys.acorn.hardware
For discussions of hardware on Acorn machines from both technical and
user viewpoints.
comp.sys.acorn.misc
For discussions which do not fit into any of the other categories. Please
try to put your post in the correct group, before you resort to posting here.
comp.sys.acorn.networking
For discussions of networking on Acorn machines, this includes modems,
tcp/ip software, WWW browsers, ethernet cards and other comms hardware and
software.
comp.sys.acorn.programmer
For discussions of Acorn related programming matters. This includes Acorn
specific C, BASIC, Assembler (6502 or ARM.) Generic ARM code should be
discussed in comp.sys.arm.
FAQ Lists
Various FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) Lists abound for the Acorn world.
Their aim is to answer commonly asked questions before they get asked in the
newsgroup. Hopefully this will reduce both the redundant traffic and the
annoyance factor for long time readers, as well as helping the newcomer to
the group.
* Acorn FTP and mail-server archives
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.networking,
comp.sys.acorn.misc.
Comprehensive list of Acorn related FTP and mail server sites with a
brief description for each site on its type of content.
* Comp.{Binaries,Sources}.Acorn FAQ
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.acorn, comp.sources.acorn,
comp.sys.acorn.announce
Details on policy regarding the moderation of comp.binaries.acorn and
comp.sources.acorn as well as submission details.
* Comp.Sys.Acorn FAQ List
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.misc.
WWW: http://www.vigay.com/riscos/FAQ/
A general FAQ that covers the ground that more specific FAQs don't, as
befitting its home newsgroup of comp.sys.acorn.misc. General information
about Acorn machines (hardware, OS, software etc...) as well as an email
list of Acorn companies on the net and a smattering of Acorn related web
pages.
* Comp.Sys.Acorn.Announce Charter
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce.
WWW: http://www.owlart.net/csaa/
Detailed charter document on what is, and is not, acceptable for
submission to be posted on the newsgroup comp.sys.acorn.announce.
* comp.sys.acorn.games FAQ
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.sys.acorn.games.
Accumulated answers about Acorn games in development, tips for coding
games and general advice on games for Acorn machines.
* comp.sys.acorn.networking Frequently Asked Questions
Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.networking.
WWW: http://www.jeffray.co.uk/csan-faq.html
Accumulated answers and wisdom on the networking of Acorn computers.
Included is information on setting up TCP/IP and Ethernet networks, AUN
and the companies involved in the Acorn networking scene.
Netiquette
As with any social group there is a basic standard of behaviour expected
of group members. This is primarily intended to facilitate easy, relaxed and
fruitful discussion amongst members with a minimum of conflict and strife.
If entirely new to Usenet, then subscribing to news.announce.newusers and
reading the FAQs there is an extremely good idea. However general advice
includes :-
* Before posting consult the relevant FAQs to see if your question is
answered there. Asking questions already in the FAQ tends to irritate the
FAQ maintainer at the very least and often also annoys long term readers
of the group who have probably seen and answered your question several
times before.
* If none of the FAQs answer your question then it is frequently worthwhile
consulting a news archive service like DejaNews and searching for the
topic of interest.
* Money making schemes, chain letters and similarly intrusive off-topic
posts are not welcome.
* Advertising a commercial service or product is not welcome anywhere
except the comp.sys.acorn.announce group, submit your advertising to the
moderators of that group. But referring a poster on to a commercial
product or service that solves their problem is generally okay.
* If new to the groups read them for a week or two first, to get a feel for
the topics and conventions the group members talk about and use.
* Don't cross-post unless you really need to. It breaches the separation of
topics that the newsgroup hierarchy provides.
* If you must cross-post, or are following up to a cross-posted article,
check the groups being cross-posted to. Don't be afraid to remove groups
that are not relevant to the contents of your post.
* When cross-posting then do not post multiple identical articles to each
different newsgroup. Use the Newsgroups header and post the article just
once, that way readers will only have to download the article once and
often only read it once.
* Don't post binaries or source files, submit them to the moderator of
comp.{binaries,sources}.acorn instead. People frequently pay to download
news and binaries can get expensive quickly, not to mention annoying,
when unwanted.
* If you feel a discussion has now changed topic sufficiently to now be
best suited to another group, consider using the Followup-To: header to
redirect the discussion to that group. When doing that it is polite to
say as much in the post itself.
* When posting a private advertisement place at the start of the subject
line either 'WTD:', for a wanted to buy advert, or 'FS:', for a for sale
advert. That way people who wish to ignore adverts can easily filter them
out.
* When posting please trim your reply and keep line lengths to less than 80
characters. Not everyone has high resolution displays, fast connections
or the latest software to read your postings. Try to be as concise and
brief as possible.
* Replying is generally best done by putting your answer directly below the
segment you are replying to. That way people can read the previous
posters comments and see what you are replying to without having to
backtrack and read older postings. If you aren't directly replying to it
then trim it.
Other than that just being generally polite is a good rule of thumb. That
and enjoy yourself, the newsgroups are here for you to enjoy just as much as
anyone else.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All additions, corrections & suggestions for this document should be sent to
banksie@paradise.net.nz. Being the maintainer of this document I reserve the
right to be wrong, incorrect, slow, out of date and generally how I please
with it.