To: python-list

Subject: comp.lang.python RFD again

From: Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl

I've followed the recent discussion and trimmed the blurb RFD down a bit

(and added the word "object-oriented" to the blurb).

I don't think it's too early to *try* to create the newsgroup --

whether we will succeed may depend on how many Python supporters there

are outside the mailing list.

I'm personally not worried about moderation, and anyway I haven't

heard from any volunteers for moderation (and I won't volunteer

myself) so I suggest that we'll continue to ask for one unmoderated

newsgroup.

My next action will be to post an updated FAQ (which will hint at the

upcoming RFD) to comp.lang.misc; then finalize the 1.0.0 release and

put it on the ftp site. I'll also try to get it into

comp.sources.unix or .misc. And all this before the end of January!

--Guido van Rossum, CWI, Amsterdam <Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl>

URL: <http://www.cwi.nl/cwi/people/Guido.van.Rossum.html>

======================================================================

These are the steps required (in case you don't know about the

newsgroup creation process):

First, we need to draw up an RFD (Request For Discussion). This is a

document that tells what the purpose of the group is, and gives a case

for its creation. We post this to relevant groups (comp.lang.misc,

the mailing list, news.groups, etc.) Discussion is held on

news.groups.

Then, after a few weeks, we run the official CFV (Call For Votes).

The votes are then collected over a period of weeks. We need 100 more

yes votes than no votes, and a 2/3 majority, to get the group.

There are some restrictions on the vote taker: [s]he cannot actively

campaign for/against the group during the vote process. So the main

benefit to Steve instead of me running the vote is that I will be free

to campaign for its creation!

The following is our current draft for the RFD.

======================================================================

Request For Discussion: comp.lang.python

Purpose

-------

The newsgroup will be for discussion on the Python computer language.

Possible topics include requests for information, general programming,

development, and bug reports. The group will be unmoderated.

What is Python?

---------------

Python is a relatively new very-high-level language developed in

Amsterdam. Python is a simple, object-oriented procedural language,

with features taken from ABC, Icon, Modula-3, and C/C++.

Its central goal is to provide the best of both worlds: the dynamic

nature of scripting languages like Perl/TCL/REXX, but also support for

general programming found in the more traditional languages like Icon,

C, Modula,...

Python may be FTP'd from the following sites:

ftp.cwi.nl in directory /pub/python (its "home site", also has a FAQ)

ftp.uu.net in directory /languages/python

gatekeeper.dec.com in directory /pub/plan/python/cwi

Rationale

---------

Currently there is a mailing list with over 130 subscribers.

The activity of this list is high, and to make handling the

traffic more reasonable, a newsgroup is being proposed. We

also feel that comp.lang.misc would not be a suitable forum

for this volume of discussion on a particular language.

Charter

-------

Comp.lang.python is an unmoderated newsgroup which will serve

as a forum for discussing the Python computer language. The

group will serve both those who just program in Python and

those who work on developing the language. Topics that

may be discussed include:

- announcements of new versions of the language and

applications written in Python.

- discussion on the internals of the Python language.

- general information about the language.

- discussion on programming in Python.

Discussion

----------

Any objections to this RFD will be considered and, if determined

to be appropriate, will be incorporated. The discussion period

will be for a period of 21 days after which the first CFV will be

issued.