REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)
unmoderated group sci.engr.micromachining

Newsgroup line:
sci.engr.micromachining Devices enabled by micromachined structures.

This is a formal Request For Discussion (RFD) for the creation of a world-wide
unmoderated Usenet newsgroup sci.engr.micromachining. This is not a Call For
Votes (CFV); you cannot vote at this time. Procedural details are below.

RATIONALE: sci.engr.micromachining

Microsystem technology and micromachining is an emerging science based on the
use of silicon and other materials to fabricate small scale or microscopic
systems traditionally seen on a macroscopic scale as well as new devices that
can only be fabricated using micromachining techniques. These systems typically
see corresponding benefits in precision and integrated circuit-like mass
production.

Many fabrication techniques and design strategies have only been developed in
recent years. While information exchange is facilitated through published
papers, conferences and mailing lists, a Usenet newsgroup would allow people
worldwide to participate in discussion and exchange information, theories and
ideas concurrently.

The creation of this newsgroup will bring the developing science further into
the realm of the general public. By opening up discussion to people with
expertise in other areas who might have fresh new ideas, it s possible that
these people will come up with a novel approach to a problem that the experts
dismissed out of hand due to established principles.

In summary, creating a newsgroup for micromachining will allow a more uniform
circulation of knowledge amongst individuals and groups. It will also make it
easier for so called "laymen" to learn about the existence of micromachining
and contribute their ideas.

CHARTER: sci.micromachining

Sci.micromachining will be dedicated to the discussion of all topics related to
micromachining, microsystem technology (MST), and microelectromechnical systems
(MEMS), including, but not limited to:

  * Applications, ideas and theories on the use of microsystems
  * The use of microsystems in the commercial and industrial arena
  * Techniques for fabrication, production testing and packaging
  * Process techniques and materials
  * CAD and other design support tools
  * Semiconductor physics and circuit design relating to MEMS and MST
  * Job opportunities related to micromachining and microsystems
  * Binary files provided they are compressed (i.e. jpg or zip) and on-topic

END CHARTER.

PROCEDURE:

This is a request for discussion, not a call for votes. In this phase of the
process, any potential problems with the proposed newsgroup should be raised
and resolved. The discussion period will continue for a minimum of 21 days
(starting from when the first RFD for this proposal is posted to
news.announce.newgroups), after which a Call For Votes (CFV) may be posted by a
neutral vote taker if the discussion warrants it. Please do not attempt to vote
until this happens.

All discussion of this proposal should be posted to news.groups.

This RFD attempts to comply fully with the Usenet newsgroup creation guidelines
outlined in "How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup" and "How to Format and
Submit a New Group Proposal". Please refer to these documents (available in
news.announce.newgroups) if you have any questions about the process.

DISTRIBUTION:

This RFD has been posted to the following newsgroups:

news.announce.newgroups
news.groups
sci.bio.technology
sci.chem,sci.engr
sci.engr.biomed
sci.engr.chem
sci.engr.mech
sci.engr.semiconductors
sci.materials,sci.med
sci.nanotech
sci.physics

and the following mailing lists:

 (discussion of the science of micromachining)
Subscribe via:  providing your e-mail address.

 (discussion of the science of micromachining)
Subscribe via:  containing the phrase:
subscribe mstnet

 (discussion of the science of micromachining)
Subscribe via:  providing your e-mail address.

-
Proponent: Christopher Raum 
--
.+'''+.  Christopher Raum - craum@robinhood.engg.uregina.ca
R A U M  Faculty of Engineering, University of Regina
`+.,.+'  Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S-0A2, Canada
         Tel: (306)565-2960 Fax: (306)585-4855