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3RD REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)
This is a formal Request For Discussion (RFD) for the following changes
in the uk.* Usenet hierarchy:
create unmoderated newsgroup uk.rec.gps
Changes from previous RFDs:
The first RFD only implied that other systems would be On Topic.
Specific reference to the EU Galileo, and the Russian GLONASS systems,
added for second and third RFDs. Also reference to radio navigation
systems added.
The clause in RFD1 specifically allowing technical and professional
posts to be specifically On Topic has been removed in both RFD2 and RFD3.
The section of the charter on Geocaches has been rewritten from RFD2.
Newsgroup line:
uk.rec.gps Global Positioning Systems and radio navigation systems
*** ALL DISCUSSION MUST TAKE PLACE IN UK.NET.NEWS.CONFIG ***
This is not a Call for Votes (CFV); you cannot vote at this time.
Further procedural details are given below.
RATIONALE: uk.rec.gps
GPS receivers are used in many recreational activities, walking,
sailing, climbing, cycling, Geocaching, etc where it is useful to know
where you are, and which direction to travel, speed etc. etc. in the
middle of a moor, lake, sea, city or even motorway. Also in such
recreations as rocketry for altitude verification, tracking etc.
Geocaching is a relatively new recreation, where a cache of objects of
little value are placed in a waterproof box at stated coordinates
where others can find them by GPS. The new "Right to Roam"
legislation together with improvement in accuracy and falling prices
may well catalyze other GPS based recreations.
Some GPS recreations as in
http://www.pointersolutions.com/eng/metsastys_koiragps.htm are
unlikely to become popular in the UK.
There are various alt.* GPS groups with the usual alt.* USA bias and
propagation problems, also sci.geo.satellite-nav for the scientific
community. Also several gps newsgroups for other nations. It is
suggested that a uk newsgroup would be advantageous to discuss uk
specific subjects, such as OS mapping, laws, regulations etc. The
name "gps" is almost universally used in the UK, it has been chosen
against the alternative "satellite navigation" for this reason.
It is expected that uk.rec.gps will have general GPS threads, in the
same way as uk.food+drink.misc, and other uk.* groups will have
threads specific to their own charters. As an example the "GPS
versus map and compass" debate will probably continue on
uk.rec.walking for the foreseeable future. It is hoped that
uk.rec.gps may become a repository for uk.* expertise on GPS.
CHARTER: uk.rec.gps
This newsgroup is for the discussion of all aspects of the UK use of
the US Department of Defense Global Positioning System, the EU
Galileo, the Russian GLONASS systems, and any other satellite
positioning/navigation systems which may be developed. Also any
improvements, or extensions to the above. Also radio navigation
systems. GPS threads also occur on other uk.* newsgroups where they
may be On Topic.
Advertising
Advertising is forbidden, with these exceptions:
Suppliers of goods and services relevant to GPS in the UK
may post an invitation to visit their web site or request details.
It should be of four lines or fewer and not posted more than once
every 3 months. The subject line should begin "ADVERT: ",
except for vacancy adverts, when it should begin "JOB: ".
Advertisements of Geocaches are allowed,
the Subject: field should be of the form
GEOCACHE: gps position. a short description of its position.
Binaries & Formatting
Encoded binaries (e.g. pictures, compressed files, etc.) are
forbidden. Such material belongs on a web or FTP site to which
a pointer may be posted. Cryptographic signatures (e.g. PGP)
may be used where authentication is important and should be as
short as possible.
Posts must be readable as plain text. HTML, RTF and similarly
formatted messages are prohibited. To see how to make some
common newsreaders comply with this, read
<http://www.usenet.org.uk/ukpost.html>.
Warning. Anyone posting contrary to this charter may be reported to
their "postmaster" and/or Service Provider.
END CHARTER
PROCEDURE:
This is a request for discussion, not a call for votes. In this phase of
the process, any potential problems with the proposal should be raised
and resolved. The discussion period will continue for a minimum of 10
days, starting from when this RFD is posted to uk.net.news.announce
(i.e. until March 26th) after which a Call For Votes (CFV) may be
posted by a neutral vote taker if the discussion warrants it.
Alternatively, the proposal may proceed by the fast-track method. Please
do not attempt to vote until this happens.
This RFD attempts to comply fully with the "Guidelines for Group Creation
within the UK Hierarchy" as published regularly in uk.net.news.announce.
Please refer to this document if you have any questions about the process.
DISTRIBUTION:
This RFD has been posted to the following newsgroups:
uk.net.news.announce
uk.net.news.config
uk.rec.cycling
uk.rec.driving
uk.rec.motorcycles
uk.rec.sailing
uk.rec.walking
uk.telecom.mobile
Proponent:
Dave Fawthrop <[email hidden]>
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