From [email protected] Tue Mar  7 16:39:10 1995
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: John Kondis 
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.physics,sci.materials,sci.polymers,sci.engr.semiconductors
Subject: RFD: sci.physics.solid-state
Followup-To: news.groups
Date: 7 Mar 1995 15:37:01 -0500
Organization: uci.edu
Lines: 73
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: gs2.UU.NET news.announce.newgroups:6351 news.groups:137991 sci.physics:112469 sci.materials:8939 sci.polymers:2261 sci.engr.semiconductors:2435

                     Request for Discussion (RFD)

Newsgroup       : sci.physics.solid-state
Status          : unmoderated
Distribution    : worldwide
Summary         : A center for discussion of topics related
                  to solid state experiment and theory.
Proponents      : John P. Kondis  

This Request For Discussion begins a period for active discussion related
to the creation of a new, unmoderated group, sci.physics.solid-state.
This is NOT a call for votes, so please don't respond to this message
with a vote on this newsgroup.  The voting period will be announced with
a call for votes (CFV) which will contain complete instructions for
voting for or against the group creation.

The language in this RFD has used previously submitted RFDs as a model.


CHARTER
~~~~~~~
The new newsgroup sci.physics.solid-state is focused on discussion of
matters pertaining to experimental and theoretical solid state physics,
the study of the structural, electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, and
optical properties of solid materials.  Although discussion should be
directed specifically to the physics of these materials, it is expected
that scientists in the arenas of chemistry, engineering, and materials
science will also be interested in this forum.


RATIONALE
~~~~~~~~~
Solid state physics is and has been an important research component in
modern physics, chemistry and engineering.  In addition to practical uses
for solid state physics, there exists tremendous theoretical interest in
the study of solids.

A forum on Usenet dedicated specifically to solid state physics concerns
is an easy choice for those who currently present their discussions on a
variety of other groups.  Existing Usenet groups, such as sci.materials,
sci.polymers, sci.engr.semiconductors, etc., do address some of the
practical aspects of solid state physics.  Unfortunately, however, there
is no central place for the discussion of solids on a more fundamental
level.  Since solid state physics is a scientific discipline in its own
right, it makes sense that a newsgroup directed at a fundamental
understanding of solids should be established on Usenet.

Currently, those who wish to discuss solid state physics need to use the
general physics newsgroup, sci.physics.  Due to the high volume of
traffic handled by this group, it is difficult to distinguish the
articles which focus on solid state.  Discussion on sci.physics tends to
be broad-based and often focuses on modern theoretical concerns such as
General Relativity or quantum mechanical interpretations, topics which,
though interesting, offer little to the typical solid state physicist.

The creation of sci.physics.solid-state will not affect the existing
sci.* groups or sci.physics.* groups.  It is to be an addition to the
existing hierarchy.


PLEASE NOTE: Follow-up discussion of the proposed creation of
sci.physics.solid-state should be held only in news.groups, at least if
it is to be relevant to its proposed creation.  Within this discussion,
the details such as moderation status, the name of the group, etc will be
addressed and new proposals along these lines will be taken into
account.

Any concerns regarding this RFD or this newsgroup that are not directly
applicable to the discussion process can be addressed to me, the
proponent, John P. Kondis, at "[email protected]".

...John P. Kondis           [email protected]
University of California, Irvine California

From [email protected] Sun Mar 19 16:24:03 1995
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (John Kondis)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,fj.sci.physics,sci.chem,sci.engr,sci.optics,sci.polymers,sci.materials,sci.techniques.xtallography
Subject: 2nd RFD: sci.physics.cond-matter
Followup-To: news.groups
Date: 19 Mar 1995 15:33:47 -0500
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Lines: 99
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: gs2.UU.NET news.announce.newgroups:6461 news.groups:140180 sci.chem:37799 sci.engr:14838 sci.optics:11193 sci.polymers:2371 sci.materials:9226 sci.techniques.xtallography:1615

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a second RFD proposal for a condensed matter
newsgroup.  Because of popular demand, the proposed name has been changed
to broaden its scope, from "sci.physics.solid-state" to
"sci.physics.cond-matter".  Otherwise, the RFD remains relatively
unchanged.

                     Request for Discussion (RFD)

Newsgroup       : sci.physics.cond-matter
Status          : unmoderated
Distribution    : worldwide
Summary         : A center for discussion of topics related
                  to condensed matter theory and experiment
Proponents      : John P. Kondis  

This Request For Discussion begins a period for active discussion related
to the creation of a new, unmoderated group, sci.physics.cond-matter.
This is NOT a call for votes, so please don't respond to this message
with a vote on this newsgroup.  The voting period will be announced with
a call for votes (CFV) which will contain complete instructions for
voting for or against the group creation.

The language in this RFD has used previously submitted RFDs as a model.


CHARTER
~~~~~~~
The new newsgroup sci.physics.cond-matter is focused on discussion of
matters pertaining to experimental and theoretical condensed matter
physics, the study of the physics of various properties of liquid- and
solid-phase matter.  These properties include, but are not limited to,
structural, electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, magnetic, and optical
properties.  In addition, the important topics of phase transitions,
superfluidity, and critical phenomena are to be discussed.  Although
discussion should be specifically physics-oriented, it is expected that
scientists in the arenas of chemistry, engineering, fluid dynamics, and
materials science will also be very interested in this forum.  However,
discussion of solid state electronics, which has come to mean something
unrelated to physics, is not what this group is for.

Experimental techniques and theoretical and mathematical approaches to
condensed matter problems are a fundamental part of this group.
Additionally, questions from readers and general comments about the
direction of condensed matter research are also welcome.


RATIONALE
~~~~~~~~~
Condensed matter physics is and has been an important research component
in modern physics, chemistry and engineering.  In addition to practical
uses for this physics approach, there exists tremendous theoretical
interest in the study of condensed materials.

A forum on Usenet dedicated specifically to condensed matter physics
concerns is an easy choice for those who currently present their
discussions on a variety of other groups.  For example, existing Usenet
groups, such as sci.materials, sci.optics, sci.engr.semiconductors,
etc., address some of the practical aspects of solid state physics.
Unfortunately, however, there is no central place for the discussion of
condensed phases on a more fundamental level.  The study of condensed
matter represents a unique and widely studied scientific discipline in
its own right, with a large base of interest on the Internet, so a
specific newsgroup dedicated to such concerns is justified.

Currently, those who wish to seriously discuss condensed matter physics
need to use the general physics newsgroup, sci.physics.  Due to the high
volume of traffic handled by this group (typically 100-200 articles per
day) and its generalized focus, it is difficult to distinguish the
articles which focus on condensed matter, when they appear.  Discussion
on sci.physics tends to be broad-based and often focuses on modern
theoretical concerns such as General Relativity or interpretations of
Quantum Mechanics, topics which, though interesting, offer little to the
typical condensed matter theorist or experimentalist, and little insight
into the properties of both everyday and novel materials.

There are also some mailing lists on the Internet which serve certain
specific disciplines related to condensed matter physics.  However, these
lists serve highly specialized audiences and are more narrowly focused.
A mailing list serving the general interest in condensed matter would be
inappropriate, as the scope of condensed matter is quite broad and the
number of Internet users associated with the study is very large.

The creation of sci.physics.cond-matter will not affect the existing
sci.* groups or sci.physics.* groups.  It is to be an addition to the
existing hierarchy.


PLEASE NOTE: Follow-up discussion of the proposed creation of
sci.physics.cond-matter should be held only in news.groups, at least if
it is to be relevant to its proposed creation.  Within this discussion,
the details such as moderation status, the name of the group, etc will be
addressed and new proposals along these lines will be taken into account.

Any concerns regarding this RFD or this newsgroup that are not directly
applicable to the discussion process can be addressed to me, the
proponent, John P. Kondis, at "[email protected]".
-- 
...John P. Kondis           [email protected]
University of California, Irvine California

From [email protected] Mon May  8 18:44:42 1995
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Bill Aten)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,fj.sci.physics,sci.chem,sci.engr,sci.engr.semiconductors,sci.materials,sci.optics,sci.physics,sci.polymers,sci.techniques.xtallography
Subject: CFV: sci.physics.cond-matter
Followup-To: poster
Date: 8 May 1995 12:51:08 -0400
Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers
Lines: 160
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Expires: 30 May 1995 00:00:00 GMT
Message-ID: 
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: gs2.UU.NET news.announce.newgroups:6784 news.groups:148328 sci.chem:41794 sci.engr:16031 sci.engr.semiconductors:3031 sci.materials:10215 sci.optics:12202 sci.physics:120368 sci.polymers:2885 sci.techniques.xtallography:1765

                         FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
                  unmoderated group sci.physics.cond-matter

Newsgroups line:
sci.physics.cond-matter	Condensed matter physics, theory and experiment.

Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 29 May 1995.

This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party.  For voting questions
only, contact the votetaker, Bill Aten .  For questions about
the proposed group, contact the proponent, John P. Kondis .

RATIONALE

This is the rationale for the proposal as submitted by the proponent.

    This group should be created because of the huge unmet demand by Usenet
    readers and other Internet users for a group devoted to condensed
    matter and solid state physics.  It is a huge field in the real world
    (the largest within physics) and this group can provide a forum for both
    experts to discuss current developments and for non-physicists
    interested in discussing aspects related to condensed matter physics.

CHARTER

This is the newsgroup charter as submitted by the proponent.

    sci.physics.cond-matter
       This newsgroup is focused on discussion of matters pertaining to
       experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics, the study of
       the physics of various properties of liquid- and solid-phase matter.
       These properties include, but are not limited to, structural,
       electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, magnetic, and optical
       properties.  In addition, the important topics of phase transitions,
       superfluidity, and critical phenomena are to be discussed.  Although
       discussion should be specifically physics-oriented, it is expected
       that scientists in the arenas of chemistry, engineering, fluid
       dynamics, and materials science will also be very interested in this
       forum.  However, discussion of solid state electronics, which has come
       to mean something unrelated to physics, is not what this group is for.

       Experimental techniques and theoretical and mathematical approaches to
       condensed matter problems are a fundamental part of this group.
       Additionally, questions from readers and general comments about the
       direction of condensed matter research are also welcome.

DISTRIBUTION

This CFV has been cross-posted to:
  news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, fj.sci.physics, sci.chem, sci.engr,
  sci.engr.semiconductors, sci.materials, sci.optics, sci.physics,
  sci.polymers, sci.techniques.xtallography

This CFV will also appear on the following mailing lists:
(Please note that the RFDs did *not* go out to these mailing lists.)

        Neutron scattering
           List address:    
           Request address: 

        Semiconductors of the II-VI type
           List address:    
           Request address: 

OFFICIAL SOURCES OF THE CFV

IMPORTANT:  If anyone gave you a pre-completed ballot which did not leave the
voting choice up to you, you should modify the vote to reflect your choice of
YES, NO or ABSTAIN next to the item in the ballot.  If you give anyone copies
of the CFV, the copies must be whole and unmodified.  Distributing pre-filled
in ballots or modified copies of this CFV is considered voting fraud.

The only official sources for copies of this CFV are the UseNet newsgroups to
which it is posted including news.announce.newgroups, and the e-mail server at
   
The CFV server will return a copy of the CFV to the sender.  Your message may
be left empty because any contents will be ignored.

An official copy of this CFV will also be sent to the previously mentioned
mailing lists after it is posted in news.announce.newgroups.

HOW TO VOTE

Erase everything above the "BEGINNING OF BALLOT" line and erase everything
below the "END OF BALLOT" line.  Do not erase anything between these lines,
and do not change the group name.  In other words, remove everything except
the ballot.  It will be greatly appreciated by the votetaker if you do NOT
forward the entire CFV back to me--this mail is archived.

Give your name on the line that asks for it.  To vote, place a YES in the
brackets to vote for it, or place a NO in the brackets to vote against it.
If you don't want to vote on the group, place an ABSTAIN in the brackets.
If you leave the bracket blank, your vote will be rejected for failure to
cast a vote.  Don't worry about the spacing of the columns or any quote
characters (">") that your reply inserts.

Then MAIL the ballot to:  
Just Replying to this message should work, but check the "To:" line.

Quick voting checklist:
1) Fill in the ballot form below.  Don't forget to include your Real Name.
2) Delete everything but the ballot in your reply to this CFV.
3) Make sure your reply goes to .

===== BEGINNING OF BALLOT: Delete everything BEFORE this line ================

Please DO NOT alter, modify, or delete any of the information in this ballot.
Provide your name where asked, and insert your vote inside the bracket(s).

sci.physics.cond-matter Ballot
 (Do not remove this marker!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Give your Real Name here (on this line) -->:
(If you do not give your real name, your vote may be rejected.)

[Your Vote]  Group
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[     YES ]  example.yes.vote
[      NO ]  example.no.vote
[ ABSTAIN ]  example.abstention

[         ]  sci.physics.cond-matter
===== END OF BALLOT: Delete everything AFTER this line =======================


IMPORTANT VOTING PROCEDURE NOTES

Anything other than the official ballot may be rejected by the automatic vote
counting program.  The votetaker will respond to your received ballots with
an automated acknowledgement by e-mail.  If you do not receive one within
several days, try again.  It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is
registered correctly.

Only one vote per person, no more than one vote per account.  Addresses and
votes of all voters will be published in the final voting results list.

If you later change your mind, you may vote again.  To erase your vote and
eliminate your address and vote from the final results listing, vote again
using the CANCEL example shown above.  Just be aware that duplicate votes
will be resolved in favor of the most recent valid vote.

Anonymous votes will not be accepted.  Votes mailed by WWW/HTML/CGI forms are
considered anonymous votes (the vote must be mailed directly from the
voter to the votetaker).

Neither ABSTAIN nor CANCEL messages are counted as votes; they serve
only to cancel any previous vote.  Abstentions are noted in the final
vote list, whereas CANCEL removes your vote from that list entirely
(this is the only difference between the two).

In cases where voting fraud is determined to have occurred, it is standard
operating procedure to delete ALL votes submitted by the violator.

There will be a five-day period following the voting period during which
the published vote list may be corrected and any irregularities addressed.
The requirements for group creation are 100 more YES votes than NO votes,
and 2/3 of all counted votes must be YES.

When in doubt, ask the votetaker.

From [email protected] Thu May 25 18:48:13 1995
Path: uunet!bounce-back
From: [email protected] (Bill Aten)
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,fj.sci.physics,sci.chem,sci.engr,sci.engr.semiconductors,sci.materials,sci.optics,sci.physics,sci.polymers,sci.techniques.xtallography
Subject: 2nd CFV: sci.physics.cond-matter
Supersedes: 
Followup-To: poster
Date: 23 May 1995 16:03:04 -0400
Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers
Lines: 178
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected]
Expires: 30 May 1995 00:00:00 GMT
Message-ID: 
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]> 
Reply-To: [email protected]
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net
Xref: gs2.UU.NET news.announce.newgroups:6891 news.groups:150955 sci.chem:43056 sci.engr:16390 sci.engr.semiconductors:3211 sci.materials:10557 sci.optics:12544 sci.physics:122416 sci.polymers:3056 sci.techniques.xtallography:1802

                         LAST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
                  unmoderated group sci.physics.cond-matter

Newsgroups line:
sci.physics.cond-matter	Condensed matter physics, theory and experiment.


Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 29 May 1995.

This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party.  For voting questions
only, contact the votetaker, Bill Aten .  For questions about
the proposed group, contact the proponent, John P. Kondis .


RATIONALE

This is the rationale for the proposal as submitted by the proponent.

    This group should be created because of the huge unmet demand by Usenet
    readers and other Internet users for a group devoted to condensed
    matter and solid state physics.  It is a huge field in the real world
    (the largest within physics) and this group can provide a forum for both
    experts to discuss current developments and for non-physicists
    interested in discussing aspects related to condensed matter physics.


CHARTER

This is the newsgroup charter as submitted by the proponent.

    sci.physics.cond-matter
       This newsgroup is focused on discussion of matters pertaining to
       experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics, the study of
       the physics of various properties of liquid- and solid-phase matter.
       These properties include, but are not limited to, structural,
       electronic, mechanical, thermodynamic, magnetic, and optical
       properties.  In addition, the important topics of phase transitions,
       superfluidity, and critical phenomena are to be discussed.  Although
       discussion should be specifically physics-oriented, it is expected
       that scientists in the arenas of chemistry, engineering, fluid
       dynamics, and materials science will also be very interested in this
       forum.  However, discussion of solid state electronics, which has come
       to mean something unrelated to physics, is not what this group is for.

       Experimental techniques and theoretical and mathematical approaches to
       condensed matter problems are a fundamental part of this group.
       Additionally, questions from readers and general comments about the
       direction of condensed matter research are also welcome.


DISTRIBUTION

This CFV has been cross-posted to:
  news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, fj.sci.physics, sci.chem, sci.engr,
  sci.engr.semiconductors, sci.materials, sci.optics, sci.physics,
  sci.polymers, sci.techniques.xtallography

This CFV will also appear on the following mailing lists:
(Please note that the RFDs did *not* go out to these mailing lists.)

        Neutron scattering
           List address:    
           Request address: 

        Semiconductors of the II-VI type
           List address:    
           Request address: 


OFFICIAL SOURCES OF THE CFV

IMPORTANT:  If anyone gave you a pre-completed ballot which did not leave the
voting choice up to you, you should modify the vote to reflect your choice of
YES, NO or ABSTAIN next to the item in the ballot.  If you give anyone copies
of the CFV, the copies must be whole and unmodified.  Distributing pre-filled
in ballots or modified copies of this CFV is considered voting fraud.

The only official sources for copies of this CFV are the UseNet newsgroups to
which it is posted including news.announce.newgroups, and the e-mail server at
   
The CFV server will return a copy of the CFV to the sender.  Your message may
be left empty because any contents will be ignored.

An official copy of this CFV will also be sent to the previously mentioned
mailing lists after it is posted in news.announce.newgroups.


HOW TO VOTE

Erase everything above the "BEGINNING OF BALLOT" line and erase everything
below the "END OF BALLOT" line.  Do not erase anything between these lines,
and do not change the group name.  In other words, remove everything except
the ballot.  It will be greatly appreciated by the votetaker if you do NOT
forward the entire CFV back to me--this mail is archived.

Give your name on the line that asks for it.  To vote, place a YES in the
brackets to vote for it, or place a NO in the brackets to vote against it.
If you don't want to vote on the group, place an ABSTAIN in the brackets.
If you leave the bracket blank, your vote will be rejected for failure to
cast a vote.  Don't worry about the spacing of the columns or any quote
characters (">") that your reply inserts.

Then MAIL the ballot to:  
Just Replying to this message should work, but check the "To:" line.

Quick voting checklist:
1) Fill in the ballot form below.  Don't forget to include your Real Name.
2) Delete everything but the ballot in your reply to this CFV.
3) Make sure your reply goes to .

===== BEGINNING OF BALLOT: Delete everything BEFORE this line ================

*** PLEASE ***
    DO NOT alter, modify, or delete any of the information in this ballot!

sci.physics.cond-matter Ballot
 (Do not remove this marker!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples showing how to indicate your vote (DO NOT vote in this section):

[     YES ]  example.yes.vote
[      NO ]  example.no.vote
[ ABSTAIN ]  example.abstention
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In order to properly record your vote, please provide your REAL NAME and
indicate your desired vote in the following section:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Give your Real Name here (on this line) -->:
(If you do not give your real name, your vote may be rejected.)

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

Insert your vote inside the brackets for each newsgroup listed below:

 Your Vote   Group
 ---------   -----
[         ]  sci.physics.cond-matter
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

===== END OF BALLOT: Delete everything AFTER this line =======================


IMPORTANT VOTING PROCEDURE NOTES

Anything other than the official ballot may be rejected by the automatic vote
counting program.  The votetaker will respond to your received ballots with
an automated acknowledgement by e-mail.  If you do not receive one within
several days, try again.  It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is
registered correctly.

Only one vote per person, no more than one vote per account.  Addresses and
votes of all voters will be published in the final voting results list.

If you later change your mind, you may vote again.  To erase your vote and
eliminate your address and vote from the final results listing, vote again
using the CANCEL example shown above.  Just be aware that duplicate votes
will be resolved in favor of the most recent valid vote.

Anonymous votes will not be accepted.  Votes mailed by WWW/HTML/CGI forms are
considered anonymous votes (the vote must be mailed directly from the
voter to the votetaker).

Neither ABSTAIN nor CANCEL messages are counted as votes; they serve
only to cancel any previous vote.  Abstentions are noted in the final
vote list, whereas CANCEL removes your vote from that list entirely
(this is the only difference between the two).

In cases where voting fraud is determined to have occurred, it is standard
operating procedure to delete ALL votes submitted by the violator.

There will be a five-day period following the voting period during which
the published vote list may be corrected and any irregularities addressed.
The requirements for group creation are 100 more YES votes than NO votes,
and 2/3 of all counted votes must be YES.

When in doubt, ask the votetaker.