Hello all,

I now have permission to post the entire CFV, no alterations. Sorry
if you had to jump through too many hoops if you've voted already;
this process has always had problems with mailing lists. By the
way, The "FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)" bit means that due to news
group article expiry, this CFV is posted twice on the Usenet over
the 21 day voting period.


                     FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
              unmoderated group sci.engr.micromachining

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


Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 4 Sep 1996.

This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party.  Questions
about this proposal should be directed to the proponent.

Proponent: Christopher Raum 
Mentor: Jonathan Grobe 
Votetaker: Dave Cornejo 


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.engr.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

Encoded binary files of any kind are not to be posted to this group

END CHARTER.


HOW TO VOTE

Send E-MAIL to:    scem@infobahn.net

Your e-mail message should contain one and only one of the
following statements:

      I vote YES on sci.engr.micromachining
      I vote NO on sci.engr.micromachining

You may also vote ABSTAIN or CANCEL;  these are not counted as
votes and don't affect the vote count.

Anything else will be rejected by the automatic vote counting
program.  The votetaker will respond to your received ballots
with a personal acknowledgment by mail - if you do not receive
one within several days, try again. It's your responsibility to
make sure your vote is registered correctly.

If you later change your mind you may vote again from the same
email address; only your last valid vote will count.


VOTING PROCEDURE NOTES:

Standard Guidelines for voting apply.  One person, one vote.
Votes must be mailed directly from the voter to the votetaker.
Anonymous, forwarded or proxy votes are not valid; this includes
votes generated by WWW/HTML/CGI forms.

Vote counting is automated.  Failure to follow these directions will
mean that your vote does not get counted.  Duplicate votes are
resolved in favor of the most recent valid vote.  Addresses and votes
of all voters will be published in the final voting results post.

The purpose of a Usenet vote is to determine the genuine interest of
persons who would read a proposed newsgroup.  Soliciting votes from
disinterested parties defeats this purpose.  Please do not
redistribute this CFV.  If you must, direct people to the official CFV
as posted to news.announce.newgroups.  Distributing pre-marked or
otherwise edited copies of this CFV will result in those votes being
cancelled.  When in doubt, ask the votetaker.

Common errors include quoting the entire article and sending your vote
to the vote-takers personal address.  Either of these two could result
in your vote not being counted.


DISTRIBUTION:

This CFV has been cross-posted to:

        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

This CFV has been sent to the following lists:

        Canadian microelectromechanical systems mailing list
        European microsystems technology mailing list

Pointers to the CFV will be sent to the following lists:

        mem@isi.edu