CHARTER
John
CONTENTS:
(1) What is this document ?
(2) What are "newsgroups ?
(3) When did all of this start ?
(4) How many groups are there ?
(5) What rec.photo groups currently exist ?
(6) What are the group charters ?
(1) What is this document ?
This is an unofficial revision of the charters as posted by
Bob Atkins along with some information on the USENET and
rec.photo groups specifically. Bob's original charters can be
seen in their entirety at
http://bobatkins.photo.net/info/charter.htm
(2) What are newsgroups ?
The groups are part of what is called the USENET. Essentially
they are a BBS (Bulletin Board System) service that nearly every
ISP (Internet Service Provider) provides but unfortunately they
also don't advertise. You can find just about any topic known to
modern man in a USENET group. If two or more people have a common
interest, chances are there is a USENET group for it !
(3) When did all of this start ?
The USENET is actually the predecessor to the WWW (World Wide
Web). It was created slowly in the late '70's as the Unix User
Network. Initially it began a collaborative effort for research
and development by government, educational and large, private
corporations such as Tektronix
For more history of the USENET, I suggest looking at ;
http://www.google.com/googlegroups/archive_announce_20.html
http://www.vrx.net/usenet/history/
(4) How many groups are there ?
I'm not sure that anyone knows exactly how many USENET groups
there are but currently my system shows 32,120 though I'm certain
the total number globally is more than 62,000. My ISP has decided
to "thin the heard" a little though I am surprised that they
still carry so many as most are in languages I don't begin to
understand.
(5) What rec.photo groups currently exist ?
There are currently 22 groups. They are:
rec.photo
rec.photo.help
rec.photo.moderated (moderated)
rec.photo.darkroom
rec.photo.digital
rec.photo.film+labs
rec.photo.equipment.35mm
rec.photo.equipment.aps
rec.photo.equipment.films+labs
rec.photo.equipment.large-format
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
rec.photo.equipment.misc
rec.photo.technique.art
rec.photo.technique.misc
rec.photo.technique.nature
rec.photo.technique.people
rec.photo.marketplace
rec.photo.marketplace.35mm
rec.photo.marketplace.darkroom
rec.photo.marketplace.digital
rec.photo.marketplace.large-format
rec.photo.marketplace.medium-format
(6) What are the charters for each group ?
CHARTER: rec.photo.digital
Digital cameras, scanners, printers, software, PhotoCD
This group is for the discussion of all aspects of digital
photography, including digital cameras, scanners, image
manipulation software, printers, and CD-ROM technology.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography . Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.technique.nature
Wildlife, landscapes, travel tips etc. This group is for
the discussion of the techniques involved in nature photography
and other peripheral issues. It is not intended for discussions
of equipment except where a piece of equipment is directly
related to some other technique issue. Strictly equipment
discussions should take place in the relevant equipment group.
Issues appropriate for this group would be ethics of nature
photography, questions about locations for nature photography,
questions about how too most effectively *USE* equipment,
questions about projected flash techniques, questions about macro
techniques, etc.
Examples of appropriate question involving equipment might be:
* What's the most useful fixed focal length lens for landscapes,
20, 24 or 28mm?
* Is a 300/4 or 400/5.6 lens more useful for wildlife work?
* Is mirror lock up really useful in nature photography?
* Is autofocus really needed for nature photography?
Inappropriate equipment related questions would be:
* Is the Canon 24/2.8 better than the Sigma 24/2.8?
* Is the Canon 300/4L better than the Sigma 400/5.6 APO?
* What's the best 100-300mm zoom lens?
* Does anyone have test reports on the Nikon 80-200/2.8?
All questions about specific items of equipment belong in
the equipment groups. Tagging on a nature comment such as "is
lens A better than lens B - FOR NATURE WORK", does *NOT* make
them appropriate for the technique group!
All postings made to this group should conform to existing
Usenet guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline
documents). This group explicitly prohibits the posting of
commercial advertisements or other promotional material, whether
or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.technique.people
Portraits, figure studies, weddings etc. This group is for
postings related to the photography of people This includes
portraits, figure studies, abstracts, nudes etc. It is not
intended for the discussion of equipment except as related to
other issues of technique. Suitable topics for posting would
include lighting, posing, models, releases, wedding photography
etc.
Examples of appropriate question involving equipment might
be:
* What's the best focal length for portrait photography?
* Do I really need to move to medium format for weddings?
* Are soft focus lenses/filters really useful?
Inappropriate equipment related questions would be:
* What's the best 85mm f1.8 lens?
* Should I buy a Canon or Nikon system?
* Are Sigma lenses just as good as Zeiss lenses?
These latter three questions all belong in the relevant equipment
subgroup. All postings made to this group should conform to
existing Usenet guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for
guideline documents). This group explicitly prohibits the posting
of commercial advertisements or other promotional material,
whether or not it is in any way related to photography. Binary
postings (i.e. non text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.technique.art
rec.photo.technique.art Issues of fine art, framing, display
This group is for postings related to art issues in photography.
These would include what "art" really is, discussions of
particular photographs and what makes them art, mounting and
displaying pictures as art, fine art photography etc.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.technique.misc
rec.photo.technique.misc - misc non-equipment posts about
technique
This group is for the discussion of issues of technique which are
not covered by any other technique group. Such subjects might
include sports photography, aerial photography, architectural
photography, scientific photography, photomicroscopy, copy work
etc.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.equipment.large-format
rec.photo.equipment.large-format - Large format cameras and
lenses
This group is for the discussion of any issues related to large
format equipment. Large format cameras are normally taken to be
those which record their images on individual plates, rather than
on roll film, and in which the image size is 4" x 5" or larger.
Such cameras are often referred to as "view cameras" and focusing
is normally achieved by observing the image on a ground glass
screen, which is replaced by the photographic plate prior to
exposure. "Plate" in this case refers to either glass plates, or
individual sheets of photographic film. The 4" x 5" specification
above is not intended to exclude cameras using smaller film size,
should they possess the other characteristics of "large_format"
or "view" cameras.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing
Usenet guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline
documents). This group explicitly prohibits the posting of
commercial advertisements or other promotional material, whether
or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format - Medium format cameras and
lenses
This group would be for the discussion of issues related to
medium format equipment. Medium format cameras are normally taken
to be cameras in which 120 or 620 size roll film is used,
producing images in the range of 6cm x 4.5cm to 6cm x 9cm. The
cameras used are typically either single lens reflex, twin lens
reflex or scale (or rangefinder) focusing. The discussion of
panoramic cameras using 120 film size would also be appropriate
for this group.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.equipment.35mm
rec.photo.equipment.35mm - 35mm cameras and lenses
This group is for the discussion of all aspects of 35mm camera
equipment. This includes 35mm SLR camera bodies and lenses, 35mm
point-and-shoot cameras, 35mm rangefinder cameras, 35mm scale
focus cameras and 35mm half-frame cameras.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.equipment.misc
rec.photo.equipment.misc Other formats, tripods, projectors, bags
etc.
This group is for the discussion of equipment not covered by any
other equipment group. This would include tripods, projectors and
screens, camera bags, lighting equipment, batteries, flash
equipment, light meters, filters. Equipment related to digital
photography or home darkroom use should be posted to either
rec.photo.digital or rec.photo.darkroom respectively, rather than
in this group. Postings about cameras not covered by the other
equipments groups (e.g. subminiature) may be made in this group.
Postings about movie cameras using film (but not video cameras,
which are covered in the rec.video groups) would also be
appropriate.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
CHARTER: rec.photo.equipment.film+labs
rec.photo.equipment.film+labs Film and commercial photofinishing
This group is for the discussion of photographic film of any
format and type. It is anticipated that the discussions will
concern the imaging characteristics of the film and conditions
under which each film type of film will give optimum results.
This group is also for the discussion of *COMMERCIAL*
photofinishing services, i.e. recommendations for and comments on
photo labs, It is *NOT* for advertising by such labs. Postings
about film development related to home darkroom use should be
posted to rec.photo.darkroom, not rec.photo.film+labs.
All postings made to this group should conform to existing Usenet
guidelines (see news.announce.newusers for guideline documents).
This group explicitly prohibits the posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material, whether or not it
is in any way related to photography. Binary postings (i.e. non
text postings) are prohibited.
rec.photo.marketplace Trading of personal photographic equipment
rec.photo.marketplace will contain all "for sale" and "wanted"
postings. These posting will be restricted to the private sale of
personally owned and used equipment. This newsgroup specifically
does *not* permit commercial advertising, postings by dealers
selling or soliciting equipment, or postings by amateurs
regularly dealing in used equipment principally or incidentally
for purposes of financial gain. It is intended a forum in which
photographers can sell, trade or request equipment in connection
with their individual photographic interests. Postings which
receive no replies should *NOT* be reposted for at least one week
after the initial posting and should not be repeatedly reposted
without material change. Replies (other than factual corrections)
should be sent *only* by email and *never* posted in
rec.photo.marketplace. Advertisers should include a telephone
number if possible in case there are problems with email
connections (and email problems are not unusual!).
rec.photo.darkroom Developing, printing and other darkroom issues
This newsgroup will contain postings related to all aspects of
photographic darkroom use. As such it will cover subjects such as
the developing of slide and negative film, photographic printing
from negatives and slides, photographic toning processes and
alternative chemistry. This newsgroup specifically does *NOT*
permit the posting of commercial advertisements for products or
services, even if they are related to photography.
rec.photo.misc General issues related to photography
This newsgroup will deal with postings on all subjects not
specifically covered by the other rec.photo newsgroups. Any and
all postings concerning the recreational use of photography will
be appropriate for inclusion in this newsgroup. Such postings
might include (but are not limited to) announcements of
photographic shows, requests for travel related photographic
information, book reviews, discussions of ethical issues, general
discussions about the "death of photography", discussion of the
work of famous photographers, philosophy etc. This newsgroup
specifically does *NOT* permit the posting of commercial
advertisements for products or services, even if they are related
to photography.
CHARTER for rec.photo.moderated
Rec.photo.moderated is a moderated Usenet newsgroup for the
discussion of topics related to the art and science of
photography and that are of interest to the serious amateur
recreational photographer.
MODERATION CRITERIA
Articles must be relevant to the art or science of photography
and of interest to serious amateur recreational photographers,
must be in reasonably good taste, and must conform to Usenet
guidelines. Suitable topics include: the technical aspects of
photographic equipment, technique, optics, film, photographic
philosophy, ethics and conduct, photography as fine art, and
brief reviews of new products and announcements of events. Other
topics may be accepted at the moderators' discretion, with the
main criterion being interest to serious amateur recreation
photographers.
Articles about topics usually associated with
commercial/professional photography may be accepted on a limited
basis as long as they are relevant to serious amateur
recreational photographers. Thus, for example, postings regarding
wedding photography may be accepted if they meet the relevancy
test, but articles regarding the business aspects of wedding
photography
are not acceptable. Advertising is prohibited, except that brief
notices of events, shows, workshops, and the like will be
considered if they relate to the art or science of photography
and are of interest to serious amateur recreational
photographers.
Postings must bear the submitter's real name and contain a valid
reply address. Authors that are affiliated with or have other
financial interest in manufacturers, distributors, or service
providers must disclose this fact in postings mentioning those
products or services.
Picture (binary) postings are not accepted.
The moderators reserve the right to cut off the discussion of a
topic when its "signal to noise ratio" has dropped too low and
reject postings on recently discussed topics. They will also
normally reject postings comparing or seeking comparisons of
equipment, "what xxx should I buy?" and "me too" postings, and
postings asking questions the author could have answered for
himself/herself with a minimal amount of work. Flames will be
rejected. Postings may be rejected because of inappropriate
crossposting, and postings to multiple moderated groups will
normally be rejected. (Approved FAQ's, RAD's, and CFV's are a
special case.)
Joseph Hopton
>Rec.Photo Charters & FAQ
<snip>
Thank you for posting this. FWIW, if I were searching for it (and I
was a few weeks ago), I would have searhced for FAQ and missed it.
John
>
>Thank you for posting this. FWIW, if I were searching for it (and I
>was a few weeks ago), I would have searhced for FAQ and missed it.
Thanks.I'll remember that the next posting. I think once per week is
reasonable.
Regards,
John S. Douglas - Photographer, Webmaster & Computer Tech
Website --- http://www.darkroompro.com