Aunc.1260 net.news utzoo!decvax!duke!tucc!unc!smb Mon Oct 5 23:21:51 1981 undigested lists, "forgeries", etc. On the ARPAnet, the advantage of a direct-distribution list over an automated digest like SPACE is that recipients get their messages very quickly, and hence can reply immediately. We on the Usenet don't have that advantage -- we are essntially limited by the frequency at which decvax (or whomever) calls ucbvax. Consequently, we are bombarded with a pile of news, but only at intervals. A second advantage of the direct-distribution to ARPAnuts is that 'reply' commands can reach the original sender. Again, that doesn't work for us Usenuts; our 'reply' commands just reach the list -- perhaps preferable, but certainly different. At any rate, I suggest that Berkeley collect the messages in a file, transmitting it at a certain size or a certain clock-tick -- say, every 3-4 hours. Such clock ticks could even be scheduled shortly before the regular polls. There would be fewer problems with headers -- essentially, they could be left alone. People could use whatever digest-reading software they have if they want. And 'reply' would still reach the list. Comments? ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.