18.0 Network Protocol

18.1 What are the audio newsgroups? Which group should I post to?
        It is important to post to the right group. There are a few
        reasons for that. First, you want to be read by people who
        are knowledgable and/or interested in your topic. Second,
        you want to avoid the ire of people who don't have your
        perspective or won't tolerate your ignorance.  The audio
        newsgroups are frequented by a wide group of people, including
        some outspoken experts who know their stuff and some serious
        purists who won't consider lower levels as acceptable.

        That said, here's the list of newsgroups and an explanation
        of their content:

        rec.audio: The original newsgroup, which is being phased out.
        rec.audio.car: This newsgroup supports discussion on different
                brands and models of car stereo, and also is an open
                forum for talk about car stereo installation, speaker
                selection, custom crossovers, and the special noise
                problems which occur in cars.
        rec.audio.high-end: This newsgroup caters to audiophiles and
                serious music lovers who are interested in discussing
                the subtle differences between expensive equipment, the
                nuances of selecting the best cables, the love and lore
                of LPs, and other details of audio that are inaudible to
                the untrained ear.  Currently, rec.audio.high-end is
                the only group which is available by e-mail.  To get
                this group sent to you, contact:
                        audio-requ...@lerc.nasa.gov
                This is also the only group which is moderated.  This
                group has specific, enforced posting guidelines.
                There is no cross posting allowed to r.a.h-e.  Please
                read the frequently posted info on posting before
                posting to r.a.h-e.
                rec.audio.high-end also has a FAQ. Please obtain and
                read the rec.audio.high-end FAQ before posting.
        rec.audio.marketplace: Here's the place for selling and buying
                equipment.  This is also a good place to discuss
                dealers, pricing, product sources, and models with
                specific features.
        rec.audio.misc: If you don't think it fits well in any other
                newsgroup, post it here.
        rec.audio.opinion: Everyone has opinions. Share yours here.
                Not sure which is better? Ask here. Think you hear
                a difference? Say it here.
        rec.audio.pro: This newsgroup is dedicated to professional
                audio.  It includes discussion on record production,
                studios, studio equipment, DJ equipment, recording
                concerts, sound reinforcement, mastering, mixing,
                special effects, and other topics which might apply to
                audio professionals.  If you are a home audio buff but
                like tape recording, you can find good advice here.
        rec.audio.tech: Discussion here is about audio theory, home
                made audio equipment, specifications, and other
                technicalities.
        rec.audio.tubes: This is a group discussing tube circuits,
                tube equipment, and the characteristics of vacuum
                tubes in general (UK translation: Valves).
        alt.home-theater-misc: Discussions of home theater, including
                surround sound processing, speakers, large screen
                video, and media.

        If the appropriate group is not available on your server,
        post to rec.audio.misc.

18.2 What network mailing lists are out there which aren't on usenet?
        There is an informal group of people interested in using DAT
        recorders to record "Grateful Dead" concerts. These people call
        themselves "Dat-Heads" and have a daily E-Mailing List.  This
        is also a great resource for DAT information. They maintain an
        excellent DAT FAQ with detailed information on DAT machines
        and tapes.  The FAQ is a bit obsolete, but still great. To
        subscribe to the list, or get a copy of their faq, send a
        message to:
                DAT-Heads-Requ...@fedney.near.net
        Include one of the following as the body of the message:
                SUBSCRIBE
                SEND FAQ

        There is also a general turntable chat mailing list. To
        subscribe to this list, send a message to:
                analogue-addicts-requ...@maths.ex.ac.uk
        asking to join the mailing list.

        There is the bass mailing list, devoted primarily to low
        frequency reproduction, although there is also much discussion
        of general speaker building issues. To suscribe, send
        subscribe bass <address>  to  listp...@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu

        There are two mailing lists devoted to mini-disc related issues.
        To subscribe to the MD-L list, send mail to:
                listser...@nstn.ca
        with the following request in the body of the message:
                subscribe MD-L Your Name
        To subscribe to the minidisc-users list, send mail to:
                minidisc-users-requ...@steffi.dircon.co.uk
        with the word ``subscribe'' as the body of the message.

        There is a general interest audio mailing list sponsered by
        "Sound Practices" magazine. To subscribe, mail to:
                sound-requ...@tpoint.net
        with the word ``subscribe'' as the body of the message.

        There is a technical audio mailing list (hifitech) for end
        users (not studio or professional).  To subscribe, mail to
        MAJORD...@LISTS.OULU.FI  As your message, type:
                subscribe hifitech

        The SOUND list has discussion about kits, DIY speakers, etc.  
        To subscribe, mail to LISTS...@ACM.ORG  As your message, type:
                SUBSCRIBE SOUND firstname lastname

        RADIO-L is an electronic dicussion forum for Digital Audio
        Broadcasting. To subscribe, mail to LISTS...@TC.UMN.EDU  
        As your message, type:
                SUBSCRIBE RADIO-L firstname lastname
        RADIO-L archives are available at http://magi.com/~moted/dr

        DASP-L is a forum for discussion of digital acoustic signal
        processing. To subscibe, mail to DASP-L-requ...@CESNET.CZ

18.3 Should I post a question about "XXXXXXX"?
        If it isn't addressed in the FAQ and it isn't a question for
        one individual, do it! However, try to post to the right
        group (see above).

18.4 How can I suggest a change to the FAQ?
        Send an E-Mail message to neido...@ti.com and explain
        your suggestion or correction in detail.

18.5 Where is the FAQ for rec.audio.* archived?
        This FAQ is available by ftp from   rtfm.mit.edu   in
                /pub/usenet/news.answers/AudioFAQ
        To get the entire FAQ from this archive, you need to
        get all 13 of the following files:
                part1
                part2
                part3
                part4
                part5
                part6
                part7
                part8
                part9
                part10
                part11
                part12
                part13
        The FAQ is also available on the world-wide web at these sites:
        http://www.faqs.org/faqs/AudioFAQ/part1/index.html
        http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/AudioFAQ/
        http://www.unik.no/~robert/hifi/faq/
        http://www.lib.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/faq/rec.audio.tech.html
        http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-faq/AudioFAQ-part1.html
        http://www.ucsalf.ac.uk/cgibin/faq?AudioFAQ/part1

18.6 What does FAQ stand for?
        FAQ stands for "Frequently Asked Questions".  It is assumed
        that a FAQ also contains FGA or "Frequently Given Answers".  
        The rec.audio.* newsgroups have few FGAs due to the
        personalities involved and the subjective nature of audio.  
        For that reason, this document is called a FAQ.

18.7 Why did I get a bitter reply when I posted a simple opinion?
        Some feel that rec.audio.* is populated by people with
        very strong opinions.  The whole audio industry is
        filled with opinionated people.

        However, for the most part, these people like voicing their
        opinions and reading others.  What may have sounded like a
        severe rebuttal may have instead been an outlet for the other
        person's frustrations or a challenge to you to "play the
        `rec.audio' game" and back up your words with some spirit.

        Be sure to stay light when reading rec.audio.  Otherwise, you
        are likely to take yourself and everyone else too seriously.

18.8 Can I post a "FOR SALE" notice on rec.audio?
        The newsgroup rec.audio.marketplace is specifically for these
        postings. Do not post For Sale to any other rec.audio.* group,
        except perhaps rec.audio.high-end.  Only post to
        rec.audio.high-end if the item is of interest to the high-end
        crowd.  rec.audio.high-end is moderated, so if the post is
        deemed inappropriate by the moderator, it will not post.

        All For Sale posts need to have a real name and a real phone
        number.  It is also very valuable to include your location,
        so that people can determine if shipping will be cheap or
        impractical.

        Usenet is not for commercial purposes, so if you are associated
        with a store or other retail operation, this is the wrong
        place for your advertisement.  If you have some used personal
        gear or something you bought and don't need, feel free to post.

        If you see an advertisement for a store that has a great deal,
        AND people had been asking about where to buy that item cheap,
        you might want to tell the readers on rec.audio.marketplace
        about it. However, avoid commercializing. Something like:

                Pete's Audio has JVC PS992 for $435, which is 40%
                less than anywhere else; If interested 202-555-1212.

        should be fine. Avoid posting their entire price list,
        or using too many superlatives. If commercialism leaks
        into Usenet, it could materially hurt us all.

        When posting something for sale, have a concise but complete
        subject line.  Come to think of it, this is good advice for
        any post. Some use abbreviations like WTB (the poster Wants
        To Buy) or WTS (the poster Wants To Sell). Here are some
        examples of good subject lines:

            Subject: WTB 100W Receiver any condition
            Subject: 4Sale Power Amp PS 352 $500 San Francisco area
            Subject: 4Sale Stereophile Back Issues 4/88 to 6/92

        Think about who you are willing to sell to before you post.
        If it is fragile or heavy, you may not want to ship it, so you
        may restrict to people who are close enough to pick it up.
        Use the Distribution: header to restrict your posting area.
        If you will only sell to people in Texas, don't distribute it
        to Australia.  Check with your system administrator if you
        aren't familiar with the options you have for Distribution.
        Different sites have different restriction codes available.
        Distribution headers don't always restrict distribution, so
        it is still a good idea to include the target area in the
        Subject.

        Anyone buying or selling needs to understand that Usenet
        contains no mechanism to protect the buyer's money or the
        seller's property.

        There is a frequently posted message "A Guide to Buying and
        Selling on Usenet" which talks of other issues on the subject.
        This is posted to news.answers as well as other newsgroups.  
        It is also available by ftp from "rtfm.mit.edu" in
        "/pub/usenet/news.answers/radio" as file "swap-guide".

18.9 Can I cross-post?  Should I cross-post?
        Cross posting means sending the message/posting to more than
        one newsgroup. This is more efficient than posting the same
        message twice, as it stores less space on disks, takes less
        time to transmit, etc. If you need to address the message to
        more than one newsgroup, put all newsgroups in the Newsgroup:
        line.

        However, there is rarely a reason to cross-post to many of
        the rec.audio.x newsgroups. If you have a repair question,
        it belongs in rec.audio.tech and no where else. If you are
        selling a tuner, post to rec.audio.marketplace. Want opinions
        on the right cable? Post to rec.audio.opinion.  Not sure?
        Post to rec.audio.misc.

18.10 Are there any sites containing audio files available for ftp?
        Yes. Try ftp.uu.net directory "usenet/rec.audio.high-end".

18.11 Are there any audio-specific World-Wide Web sites?
        Zillions of them.  Here are some places to start:
        Robert's page pointing to many Audio pages
                http://www.unik.no/~robert/hifi/hifi.html
        Dan and Steve's Audio-Related page
                http://www.qnx.com/~danh/info.html
        rec.audio.* FAQ with Search Engine
                http://hydra.unik.no/%7Erobert/hifi/faq/
        BMG and Columbia CD Music Club Unofficial Lists and FAQ
                http://www.eskimo.com/~bloo/cdfaq/toppage.htm/
        Ambisonic Surround Sound FAQ
                http://members.tripod.com/martin_leese/Ambisonic/
        Tube related stuff
                http://www.interport.net/~blackie
        Speaker Repair FAQ
                http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/FAQ/BODY/F_Speaker.html
        William Nau's Mail Order Equipment FAQ
                http://www.ssesco.com/nau/mailorder.htm
        Audio Web
                http://www.audioweb.com/

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The information contained here is collectively copyrighted by the
authors. The right to reproduce this is hereby given, provided it is
copied intact, with the text of sections 1 through 8, inclusive.
However, the authors explicitly prohibit selling this document, any
of its parts, or any document which contains parts of this document.

--
Bob Neidorff; Texas Instruments     |  Internet: neido...@ti.com
50 Phillippe Cote St.               |  Voice   : (US) 603-222-8541
Manchester, NH  03101 USA

Note: Texas Instruments has openings for Analog and Mixed
Signal Design Engineers in Manchester, New Hampshire.  If
interested, please send resume in confidence to address above.