From: Tony Evans on
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2ND 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.comp.mobile

Changes from previous RFD:

1. change of name to uk.comp.mobile
2. change of description
3. slight changes to the charter wording to include worn computers,

I read all the discussion, and commented on much of it. I saw a few
suggestions for variations on the wording, some desire to include
exclusions or definitions, and a reasonable amount of support for the
general idea. I didn't see a single suggested change that gathered a
lot of obvious support over the others. I am still of the view that
there is demand for a group to discuss mobile computing, that any
potential overlap with laptops will be handled inline without any need
to describe specific devices in the charter, and that the pace of
technology change means the focus should be on the mobility aspect,
rather than the specific device aspect.

If we wish to fast track this RFD, then we'll need to show some
general support. If you feel further refinements are needed, please
comment and make suggestions to the wording you'd like to see.

Newsgroup line:
uk.comp.sys.mobile Mobile computing - devices, software & applications


*** 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.comp.sys.mobile

There is increasing convergence between devices such as palmtops,
mobile phones, PDA's, worn computers, music players and other mobile
platforms. �The only major common element between these devices is
that they are truly mobile - they are fit in your pocket sized
computers. �Some of them focus on music, or photographs, or Internet
connectivity, but they all share an increasing amount of functionality
and they are all truly mobile.

This group would provide a forum for discussion of all mobile
computing, without restriction to a particular model or device type.

I have tried to be as inclusive as possible, and to avoid limiting the
discussion to a specific technology to prevent problems in the future
with new technologies.

I've had a first stab at the charter, but I'm fully open to complete
re-workings of it. �My intent (as stated above) was to make this as
inclusive as possible, for all mobile computing platforms.

CHARTER: uk.comp.sys.mobile

This group is for the discussion of all aspects of mobile computing.
This includes the hardware, operating systems, and applications
that run on mobile computers, as well as the use, development
and impact of those devices.

Mobile in this context is used to describe devices which are small
enough to be carried easily (in the hand, a pocket or handbag for
example) or sometimes worn.

As technology changes rapidly, there is no hard specific definition
about what is included, but current examples would be smartphones,
multifunction GPS devices, small tablet computers, PDA's, etc.

Advertising

Advertising is forbidden.


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 2nd) 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
and is available from http://www.usenet.org.uk/guidelines.html (the UK
Usenet website). 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.telecom.mobile,uk.comp.misc

Proponent:
Tony Evans <tony(at)darkstorm.co.uk>

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