Jean B. > wrote:

> I am especially leaning toward that evolution/posting here after
> looking at the link that Sandi posted. Immediate problems I
> foresee: determining the number of cookbook-related posts across
> all newsgroups over the past three months. (I am reminded that
> google has screwed up the group search by combined ngs and email
> groups, etc. Someone once posted a link to the old search
> function, and maybe that would help, but it would seem daunting to
> search across all ngs.) Also, minor by comparison, I'd have to
> find a different newsreader that allows one to post control messages.

Be careful. Some people on alt.config tend to exaggerate their
importance to the point of self-aggrandisement. The alt.* hierarchy is
omitted by a lot of news providers as a whole. No one on alt.config,
nor the the alt.config as a whole, can guarantee or promise anything
definite at all. They do count, but that's all.

As suggested before - and repeated very strongly - you are well advised
to spend at least a few months reading news.groups - and that would
apply for alt.config, too - to get some actual idea of what you are
thinking to do.

I'd also suggest you e-mail Brian Mailman and ask for his personal
advice. He's been active on both news.groups and alt.config for a long
time - and he used to be an rfc regular and is still a regular on at
least one rec.food newsgroup. He is also is a moderator of the
rec.food.cuisine.jewish .

Victor