Procedure to remove newsgroups - Revision history

Tristan Miller: Technical considerations

2022-04-11T11:31:19Z

Technical considerations

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:31, 11 April 2022
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	Though it is uncertain how many news administrators still comply with the rmgroup control messages used to remove newsgroups, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]]. This is particularly true for abandoned moderated newsgroups, since submitted posts simply vanish without explanation, much to the confusion or frustration of users.		Though it is uncertain how many news administrators still comply with the rmgroup control messages used to remove newsgroups, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]]. This is particularly true for abandoned moderated newsgroups, since submitted posts simply vanish without explanation, much to the confusion or frustration of users.


	== Unmoderated newsgroups ==		== Unmoderated newsgroups ==
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	5. No later than 7 days after voting begins, the Board announces the result and the [[Technical Team]] implements it.		5. No later than 7 days after voting begins, the Board announces the result and the [[Technical Team]] implements it.

			== Technical considerations ==

			When a group is removed, the [[ISC]] is responsible for posting the [[rmgroup]] control messages to {{news\|control.rmgroup}}. These are typically issued on the day of removal, then again one day later, seven days later, and thirty days later. As described at [[How to Use Checkgroups and Control Messages]], Administrators of individual news servers are responsible for monitoring the control groups for these control messages and then implementing them. Some admins may instead choose to follow the [[checkgroups]] list, which is posted on the 15th of each month. It can therefore be up to a month before a group removal takes effect on all participating servers.

	[[Category:Group Removal]]		[[Category:Group Removal]]

Tristan Miller: remove obsolete reference to Dead Groups Task Force

2022-04-11T11:22:46Z

remove obsolete reference to Dead Groups Task Force

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 11 April 2022
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	Though it is uncertain how many news administrators still comply with the rmgroup control messages used to remove newsgroups, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]]. This is particularly true for abandoned moderated newsgroups, since submitted posts simply vanish without explanation, much to the confusion or frustration of users.		Though it is uncertain how many news administrators still comply with the rmgroup control messages used to remove newsgroups, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]]. This is particularly true for abandoned moderated newsgroups, since submitted posts simply vanish without explanation, much to the confusion or frustration of users.

	~~We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].~~

	== Unmoderated newsgroups ==		== Unmoderated newsgroups ==

Tristan Miller: Add procedure to remove moderated groups

2022-02-18T13:40:17Z

Add procedure to remove moderated groups

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:40, 18 February 2022
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	=== Ad-hoc removals ===		=== Ad-hoc removals ===

	Unmoderated groups may also be removed on an ad-hoc basis due to extremely low traffic or for other reasons that the Board deems valid. In this case, the procedures for removing groups are as follows.		Unmoderated groups may also be removed on an ad-hoc basis due to extremely low traffic or for other reasons that the Board deems valid. In this case, the usual procedures for removing groups are as follows.

	==== Removing individual groups ====		==== Removing individual groups ====
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	==== Removing groups en masse ====		==== Removing groups en masse ====

	1. The proponent ~~posts~~ a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].		1. The proponent submits a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]], which is published at the discretion of the Board.

	2. A message is posted to each target group which points to the message ID of the RFD and announces that all development of the RFD will take place through discussion in news.groups.proposals and posts in n.a.n.; such notices should have followup set to [[news.groups.proposals]], although those who wish may crosspost to the groups slated to be removed.		2. A message is posted to each target group which points to the message ID of the RFD and announces that all development of the RFD will take place through discussion in news.groups.proposals and posts in n.a.n.; such notices should have followup set to [[news.groups.proposals]], although those who wish may crosspost to the groups slated to be removed.

	3. All further versions of the RFD, [[LCC\|Last Call for Comments]], and results are posted only to [[n.a.n.]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].		3. All further versions of the RFD, [[LCC\|Last Call for Comments]], and results are posted only to [[n.a.n.]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].

			== Moderated newsgroups ==

			Moderated groups may be removed on an ad-hoc basis due to extremely low traffic, when the moderator has abandoned it and no replacement can be found (see [[Moderator Vacancy Investigations]]), or for other reasons that the Board deems valid. In this case, the usual procedure is as follows:

			1. The proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]], which is published at the discretion of the Board.

			2. After about two weeks, the proponent posts a 2nd RFD summarizing the discussion so far and making further changes to the RFD as necessary. (If no discussion has taken place, the 2nd RFD should explicitly mention this.) This step may be repeated for 3rd or subsequent RFDs if the discussion indicates that further changes to the RFD are necessary.

			3. After a further two weeks, the Board posts a Last Call for Comments (LCC) announcing that the Board will begin voting on the proposal after five days and inviting any final discussion or comments.

			4. After a further five days, Board members begin voting on the RFD.

			5. No later than 7 days after voting begins, the Board announces the result and the [[Technical Team]] implements it.

	[[Category:Group Removal]]		[[Category:Group Removal]]

Tristan Miller: Restructure page; summarize yearly cull policy

2022-02-18T13:28:05Z

Restructure page; summarize yearly cull policy

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:28, 18 February 2022
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	~~Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for~~ many ~~years. There are serious doubts about how much cooperation the B8MB finds from~~ news administrators ~~when such~~ rmgroup control messages ~~are sent. Nevertheless~~, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]].		Though it is uncertain how many news administrators still comply with the rmgroup control messages used to remove newsgroups, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]]. This is particularly true for abandoned moderated newsgroups, since submitted posts simply vanish without explanation, much to the confusion or frustration of users.

	We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].		We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].

	~~See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].~~		== Unmoderated newsgroups ==

	== ~~Outline~~ of ~~Procedure~~ ==		=== Annual cull ===

			In 2007 the Board adopted a '''[[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|policy for removing extremely low-traffic unmoderated groups]]'''. The relevant procedures are summarized as follows:

			1. '''Determine candidate groups.''' Once per year, the Board makes a call in [[news.announce.newgroups]] for traffic data on low traffic groups. Interested individuals may respond to the call. The Board uses its discretion to determine which groups merit further consideration, subject to certain constraints. The Board then posts an announcement to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]] listing the groups under consideration and the procedure for discussion. The list and procedure is discussed for at least 7 days in [[news.groups.proposals]], after which the Board may remove groups from the list or modify the proposed procedure.

			2. '''User feedback for candidate groups.''' The Board posts an article to each candidate group to solicit feedback on the proposed removal and to indicate where this feedback is to be submitted. The feedback period lasts at least 21 days and no more than 42 days.

			3. '''Finalize list of groups to be removed.''' The Board uses its discretion to determine which candidate groups are to be removed. The Board posts an announcement to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]] listing these groups and the procedure for discussion. The list and procedure is discussed for at least 5 days in [[news.groups.proposals]], after which the Board may remove groups from the list.

			4. '''Removal of groups.''' The Board issues the necessary rmgroup control messages and removes the groups from [[checkgroups]] and other lists of Big-8 groups.

			=== Ad-hoc removals ===

			Unmoderated groups may also be removed on an ad-hoc basis due to extremely low traffic or for other reasons that the Board deems valid. In this case, the procedures for removing groups are as follows.

			==== Removing individual groups ====

	1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]].		1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]].
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	4. The RFD is revised as needed.		4. The RFD is revised as needed.

	5. When the proponent and the Board agree that no further revisions or research are required, the Board schedules a vote on the RFD.		5. When the proponent and the Board agree that no further revisions or research are required, the Board schedules an internal vote on the RFD.

	6. If the proposal to remove the group is endorsed by the Board, the [[Technical Team]] implements the decision.		6. If the proposal to remove the group is endorsed by the Board, the [[Technical Team]] implements the decision.

	=== ~~Special Case:~~ Removing ~~Groups of Groups~~ ===		==== Removing groups en masse ====

	1. The proponent posts a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].		1. The proponent posts a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].

Tristan Miller: copy-editing

2021-11-12T15:46:57Z

copy-editing

Moleski: /* Outline of Procedures (DRAFT) */

2010-07-15T22:41:06Z

Outline of Procedures (DRAFT)

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 15 July 2010
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	See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].		See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].

	== Outline of ~~Procedures~~ (DRAFT) ==		== Outline of Procedure (DRAFT) ==

	1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to news.announce.newsgroups.		1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to news.announce.newsgroups.

Moleski: Created page with 'Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for many year…'

2010-07-15T22:40:48Z

Created page with 'Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for many year…'

New page

Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for many years. There are serious doubts about how much cooperation the B8MB finds from news administrators when such rmgroup control messages are sent. Nevertheless, the [[B8MB]] believes that it is in the interests of the [[Big-8]] to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups|canonical list]].

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].

See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].

== Outline of Procedures (DRAFT) ==

1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to news.announce.newsgroups.

2. The Board decides whether to publish the Group Removal RFD.

3. Discussion of the RFD takes place in [[news.groups.proposals]].

4. The RFD is revised as needed.

5. When the proponent and the board agree that no further revisions or research are required, the board schedules a vote on the RFD.

6. If the proposal to remove the group is endorsed by the board, the [[Technical Team]] will implement the decision.

=== Special Case: Removing Groups of Groups ===

1. The proponent posts a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[nan|news.announce.newgroups (n.a.n.)]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].

2. A message is posted to each target group which points to the message ID of the RFD and announces that all development of the RFD will take place through discussion in news.groups.proposals and posts in n.a.n.; such notices should have followup set to [[news.groups.proposals]], although those who wish may crosspost to the groups slated to be removed.

3. All further versions of the RFD, [[LCC|Last Call for Comments]], and results are posted only to [[n.a.n.]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].

[[Category:Group Removal]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:46, 12 November 2021
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	Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for many years. There are serious doubts about how much cooperation the B8MB finds from news administrators when such rmgroup control messages are sent. Nevertheless, the ~~[[B8MB]]~~ believes that it is in the interests of the [[Big-8]] to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]].		Jim Riley has done many studies showing that a very large number of newsgroups are abandoned. Removing groups through the rmgroup control message has not been done for many years. There are serious doubts about how much cooperation the B8MB finds from news administrators when such rmgroup control messages are sent. Nevertheless, the Big-8 Management Board believes that it is in the interests of the Big 8 to remove unused and abandoned groups from the [[Checkgroups\|canonical list]].

	We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].		We are looking for volunteers to serve on the [[Dead Groups Task Force]].
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	See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].		See also [[Nan:2007-10-02-low-traffic-result\|RESULT: policy for removing extremely-low-traffic unmoderated groups passes]].

	== Outline of Procedure ~~(DRAFT)~~ ==		== Outline of Procedure ==

	1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to news.announce.~~newsgroups~~.		1. A proponent submits a [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]].

	2. The Board decides whether to publish the Group Removal RFD.		2. The Board decides whether to publish the Group Removal RFD.
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	4. The RFD is revised as needed.		4. The RFD is revised as needed.

	5. When the proponent and the ~~board~~ agree that no further revisions or research are required, the ~~board~~ schedules a vote on the RFD.		5. When the proponent and the Board agree that no further revisions or research are required, the Board schedules a vote on the RFD.

	6. If the proposal to remove the group is endorsed by the ~~board~~, the [[Technical Team]] ~~will implement~~ the decision.		6. If the proposal to remove the group is endorsed by the Board, the [[Technical Team]] implements the decision.

	=== Special Case: Removing Groups of Groups ===		=== Special Case: Removing Groups of Groups ===

	1. The proponent posts a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[~~nan\|~~news.announce.newgroups ~~(n.a.n.)~~]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].		1. The proponent posts a comprehensive [[Group Removal RFD]] to [[news.announce.newgroups]] and [[news.groups.proposals]].

	2. A message is posted to each target group which points to the message ID of the RFD and announces that all development of the RFD will take place through discussion in news.groups.proposals and posts in n.a.n.; such notices should have followup set to [[news.groups.proposals]], although those who wish may crosspost to the groups slated to be removed.		2. A message is posted to each target group which points to the message ID of the RFD and announces that all development of the RFD will take place through discussion in news.groups.proposals and posts in n.a.n.; such notices should have followup set to [[news.groups.proposals]], although those who wish may crosspost to the groups slated to be removed.