X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 10fd46,542f830cb68bd4e,start X-Google-Attributes: gid10fd46,public X-Google-Thread: f8dca,542f830cb68bd4e,start X-Google-Attributes: gidf8dca,public X-Google-Thread: 10e432,542f830cb68bd4e,start X-Google-Attributes: gid10e432,public X-Google-Thread: 10e8de,542f830cb68bd4e,start X-Google-Attributes: gid10e8de,public X-Google-Thread: f996b,542f830cb68bd4e,start X-Google-Attributes: gidf996b,public X-Google-ArrivalTime: 1994-03-21 22:06:32 PST Xref: gmd.de alt.config:22837 alt.fan.furry:13205 alt.ascii-art:6915 alt.fan.dragons:1036 alt.mythology:4589 Newsgroups: alt.config,alt.fan.furry,alt.ascii-art,alt.fan.dragons,alt.mythology Path: gmd.de!newsserver.jvnc.net!yale.edu!yale!zip.eecs.umich.edu!panix!ddsw1!news.kei.com!eff!news.umbc.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!jhurwit From: jhurwit@netcom.com (Jeffrey Hurwit) Subject: Proposal: alt.animals.fantasy Message-ID: Followup-To: alt.config Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 06:06:32 GMT Lines: 122 Newgroup Proposal: alt.animals.fantasy ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (or alt.fan.fantasy-animals) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I watched with great interest the creation of alt.fan.dragons, from the time it was first proposed. I thought, "Why not alt.fan.unicorns, as well?" Many of the same arguments that were put forward for the forma- tion of a.f.dragons seemed to apply: There's some interest on the net in unicorns, but postings are scattered around in various places. I saw some unicorn art on alt.ascii-art, once. There's some discussion of unicorns on alt.fan.furry from time to time, and some people there have taken the form of the unicorn on the net and in other aspects of their lives. There is a considerable collection of unicorn art on avatar.snc.edu, though much of it is anthropomorphic, inspired by FurryMUCK characters, and the work of one artist. So, I thought to myself, "Yes, there's interest on the net in unicorns, but probably there won't be enough support to justify creating yet another group (over 6,400 at our site, and increasing almost daily!) Then I saw this, in alt.fan.dragons: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >In article <2kiumo$4eu@aurora.engr.latech.edu> jprejean@engr.latech.edu (Jarred P. Prejean) writes: >} >}Personally, I am probably a bigger fan of gryphons than I am of dragons, >}and that is saying quite a bit. But gryphons just might not be quite a >}broad enough subject for an entire newsgroup. How about something like >}alt.animals.fantasy for discussion of griffins, chimerae, manticora, >}pegasi, unicorns, etc.? >} >}Jarred Prejean >}jprejean@engr.latech.edu -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I thought, "Yes, this might work, it just might!" I was less sure, however, that this would be the best placement in the alt hierarchies. I therefore would like to propose alt.animals.fantasy, or alternatively, alt.fan.fantasy-animals. I would further propose (forgive my formality, but it seems appropriate) that the group be unmoderated, and for the discussion of the following topics: The life cycles, social organization, behavior, physical and other char- acteristics of, and legends and folklore surrounding fantasy ani- mals. Specific conceptions or images of fantasy animals in literature, art, film, music, and other media, specific fantasy animal characters in these media, specific works in which fantasy animals appear, and the authors, artists, and others who create these works. Fantasy animals in all times, places, and cultures, including cross- cultural comparisons and evolution over time. Any original ideas, research, stories, poems, or reviews. Anything else pertaining to fantasy animals. I would urge that binaries, ascii art, etc., not be posted to this proposed group for reasons described in many places on the net, but be posted to the appropriate groups (alt.binaries.pictures.*, alt.ascii- art, etc.) with pointers that indicate them posted in the proposed group. Or, going that idea one better, I would urge that these items be offered for archiving to the ftp sites that carry such things, where they will be available for others' enjoyment on a more permanent basis. It should go without saying, however, that consideration must be given to the rights of those who write the stories, produce the artwork, etc., to determine where and when their work gets redistributed, if only not to discourage them from their creative pursuits, which benefit every- body. Finally, though the suggested topics of this group would overlap the coverage of a few other groups, it might be worthwhile to point out how this group would essentially be different from them. Fantasy animals are discussed in alt.mythology from time to time, as part of humankind's mythological heritage. alt.mythology is not restricted to the discus- sion of mythological animals, but is open to all types of mythology. The discussion in alt.mythology seems mostly to be academically orient- ed, where this group would be more popular in nature. alt.fan.furry in- cludes some discussion of fantasy animals (such as unicorns), but the primary interest there seems to be in the anthropomorphic angle. Though not mentioned in the FAQ, it appears that furry fen are mostly inter- ested in 'morphic forms of *existent* animals (the unicorn being the most notable exception). Discussion in the proposed group could include anthropomorphic aspects of fantasy animals, but would also include the legends, folklore, and etc. surrounding these creatures, as indicated above. The discussion would be limited to "fantasy" animals, that have no real existence in the world (although some might take issue with that assertion! :) Please note: My only interest here is to suggest that the proposed group would not be a carbon copy of an already existing one. So, there it is! All that remains is to ask the net the three most basic questions I can think of: 1) Would you subscribe to this group? Would you post to it? Does it interest you? 2) From the above descriptions, do you have a good sense of what this group would be about? Do you feel that it is in fact not redundant of another group? Are the topics of discussion well and clearly defined? Is there anything you'd add to the list of topics? Any- thing you'd remove? 3) Do you feel that either the name "alt.animals.fantasy" or "alt.fan.fantasy-animals" gives a clear "at-a-glance" idea of what this group would be about? Is there another name that would be clearer, or better placed in the alt hierarchy? Please follow up to alt.config, so the discussion can be kept in one place! :) Thank you for your consideration, Jeff