Larry Dighera wrote:

On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:32:29 GMT, Jim Riley
wrote in . net:

[rec.aviation.piloting added to cross-post. It was mispelled, so that
the message I am responding to did not show up in that group]

On Sat, 11 Nov 2006 01:49:18 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

I would like to see rec.aviation.stories changed to unmoderated.

When the group was originally proposed, the rationale for moderation
was:

A number of netters brought up this group as a very strong desire
at Oshkosh. People felt that one of the greatest strengths of the
net was the "I was there" stories -- stories which are very
different from the semi-sanitized accounts one sees in commercial
magazines. The desire was to have a forum for these longer
stories, one in which (a) it could be ensured that they'd be
easily found, (b) they wouldn't be intermixed with other stuff,
and (c) they wouldn't get drowned out by follow-ups. A moderated
newsgroup makes sense in this case, and also will allow a final
formatting check to be done to ensure that the articles are easy
to read (line lengths, etc.).

The group was expected to be relatively low volume (perhaps one or 2
articles per week) so that it could easily be hand moderated.

Well, my comment was out of frustration. I have submitted stories
over the years, but they are never approved by a moderator. I presume
that is because no one has been performing the moderation function. [...]

So, given the rationale for moderation cited above, and the desire to
see stories actually published in the rec.aviation.stories newsgroup,
what is the appropriate procedure for establishing a new moderator so
that the newsgroup can become functional again? And in the future, if
a moderator should disappear, what is the proper procedure for
installing a replacement to assume that role?

Post a message in news.groups reporting the problem and requesting that
it be fixed. Possible fixes include removing the group (if there are
likely no longer people who wish to post to it), appointing a new
moderator (if a volunteer or volunteers with the necessary skills), or
changing the group status to unmoderated.

If there is a replacement readily available who is acceptable both to
the potential users of the group and the Big 8 Management Board (B8MB),
the replacement can be installed fairly quickly and easily.

--
Kathy - member of B8MB, speaking just for myself