From [email protected] Tue Mar 7 16:39:10 1995 Path: uunet!bounce-back From: John KondisNewsgroups: 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.