How to propose a new group -- template & worked example (start here)

Welcome to rb.news.groups — RootBadger's control group for proposing new groups, in the tradition of Usenet's news.groups.

If you read RootBadger with a newsreader (slrn, tin, Pan, Thunderbird, Forte Agent, MesNews...), this is where you ask for a new group. Post a new article to this group using the format below. An admin reviews every proposal; approved groups are created and announced back here.

How to propose a group — copy this template into a new post

Newsgroup line:  rb.<hierarchy>.<name>     (lowercase, dot-separated)
Name:            <short human-readable name>
Slogan:          <one-line tagline — optional>
Status:          unmoderated | moderated
Flags:           <nsfw? private? members-only? — default: none>

Charter:
  2-5 sentences. What is the group FOR? What is on-topic, and what is
  explicitly off-topic? This is the group's constitution — be specific.

Rationale:
  Why does RootBadger need this group? Who will post to it, and why won't
  an existing group do the job?

Moderation plan:   (only if you marked Status: moderated)
  Who moderates, and by what policy?

Worked example

Newsgroup line:  rb.alt.radio.shortwave
Name:            Shortwave & DX Listening
Slogan:          Chasing signals from the other side of the planet
Status:          unmoderated
Flags:           none

Charter:
  A home for shortwave radio and DX listening: loggings, QSL reports, rig
  and antenna talk, HF propagation, numbers stations, and pirate radio.
  On-topic: anything you can pull in on an HF receiver. Off-topic: buying
  and selling gear (use a marketplace group) and FM/broadcast-band chatter.

Rationale:
  RootBadger has rb.alt.radio, but no home for the shortwave/DX niche, which
  keeps its own etiquette — UTC loggings, QSL cards, propagation reports.
  Several rb.alt.radio regulars have asked for a dedicated space.

Moderation plan:
  n/a — unmoderated.

Naming notes

• Slot your group into an existing hierarchy: rb.alt.* (anything goes), rb.comp.*, rb.news.*, rb.sci.*, and so on. Pick the closest fit.
• Segments are lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens, separated by dots.
• Keep it short and descriptive: rb.alt.food.bbq beats rb.alt.the-best-bbq-ever.
• A tight charter prevents 90% of future "is this on-topic?" arguments — spend your effort there.

Post your proposal as a new thread in this group. Questions about the process? Just reply to this one.

— RootBadger Admin