-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- 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 <> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG-v1.2.4-(GNU/Linux) Charset: noconv iQCVAwUBQjdOKmOfGXkh8vHZAQE+RwQAjGW4tPvYM0gEDUEH6XgO/s1kFsCZpApU nk8bejbLDfguYQ+AynYe8aeykmVmNbxDbLk+zmssF2wAQ2kDL90D6k38HM63ee5K M0+0qQZQq70vOBC9XTUJF8Eo/qqXTCjgpGXdykiLZVX+UJpYaIBYwHPLmctjNDal SJuz3eFjoDU= =hdJg -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
