From: tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca 
  
 "Comboman"  wrote in message 
 news:h1b5b0plvcjusluf0lfhnd2igm5n8vluit@4ax.com... 
 > On Wed, 19 May 2004 10:42:37 -0230, "Terry"  
 > wrote: 
 > 
 > I agree that this newsgroup is under-utilized to an alarming degree. 
 > However, I must disagree with many of your other statements. 
 > 
 > First of all, once a newsgroup is started, it is just about impossible 
 > to get rid of it.  My ISP currently carries over 77000 newsgroups, 
 > many of which have had little or no on-topic traffic since they were 
 > created (alt.fan.amy-fisher is a good example, but there are hundreds 
 > of others).  The reason they are still around is that they cost no 
 > time, computer capacity or money if no one posts messages to them (and 
 > an infinitesimally small amount of computer capacity and money if only 
 > a few people post to them). 
 > 
 > Secondly, I monitor other newsgroups and the amount of spam and 
 > off-topic posts in can.consumers is EXTREMELY small compared to other 
 > newsgroups.  It only appears large in comparison to the EXTREMEMLY 
 > small number of on-topic posts.  In general it is pretty easy to 
 > separate the legitimate posts from the advertising and off-topic 
 > posts.  It is not nearly so easy on other groups (like say 
 > misc.consumers).  In general, the more popular a newsgroup is, the 
 > more likely it will be a target for spammers and other off-topic 
 > posters. 
 > 
 > Thirdly, I don't think discussion threads that deteriorate into rants 
 > and name calling contests do anything to add to the usefulness of a 
 > newsgroup.  I used to monitor the can.taxes newsgroup but I don't any 
 > longer.  Not because it is under-used, but just the opposite.  For 
 > every legitimate post on Canadian tax issues, there are 50 posts by 
 > detaxers (people who feel they don't need for pay taxes for dubious 
 > legal/moral reasons) just looking for arguments (and someone is always 
 > willing to take the bait).  Basically they've hijacked the newsgroup 
 > and keep if from being used for it's intended purpose. 
 > 
 > In conclusion then, I agree that can.consumers is not being used to 
 > it's full potential.  If it is eliminated (assuming that were even 
 > possible) it will NEVER be used to it's full potential.  Here are some 
 > suggestions for improving the situation: 
 > 
 > 1) Post some messages at other newsgroups where people concerned about 
 > Canadian consumer issues might be lurking (misc.consumers, 
 > can.politics, can.taxes, etc) and tell/remind them that this newsgroup 
 > exists. 
 > 
 > 2) Many users new to the internet only know web-browsers and email. 
 > They are completely unaware of the amazing resource that exists called 
 > newsgroups.  I'm not sure how these people can be reached (perhaps a 
 > website pointing them to the newsgroup?) but that's probably the best 
 > chance for increasing the viability of this newsgroup. 
  
 Thanks for the excellent comments/suggestions. 
 BTW I did at one point in the past get a response from the 'sponsor' of this 
 news group, saying that it was being looked at! 
 Not much has happened! 
 I checked a UK consumer news group this morning, of it's latest 20 posts 
 three (3) were spam/advertising etc. That's just taking the main topics of 
 the threads not all the sub-answers replies or comments to each main topic 
 posting. Quite a difference in usefulness. 
 My regards. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)