I think so. The purpose of a newgroup RFD isn't to advertise and promote the
topic being discussed; it's to justify the need for a newsgroup. I'd
``justify'' based on the volume of messages (which isn't currently high
enough to justify a newsgroup, I don't think) and the number of subscribers
(closer to justifying a newsgroup, but still marginal).
If I were going for the newsgroup, I'd approach it like so:
- Let 1.0.0 stabilize at least a little.
- Send something like the BLURB.LUTZ to comp.lang.misc,
cross-posting to comp.programming and any other relevant-seeming
groups, with Followup-To: back into comp.lang.misc. Include, near
the top, how to subscribe to python-list, and where to FTP the
software.
- If enough folks ask for Python to be posted, or FTP download
traffic clobbers cwi.nl, pursue shoving it into the
comp.sources.misc pipeline.
- If enough people join python-list, then push for the newsgroup,
citing number of subscribers, rate at which new subscription
requests are rolling in, and number of messages.
While some description of Python is appropriate in the RFD, I'd keep it
short. Maybe just the first couple of paragraphs from BLURB.LUTZ:
Python is a relatively new very-high-level language developed
in Amsterdam. Python is a simple, procedural language, with
features taken from ABC, Icon, Modula-3, and C/C++.
It's central goal is to provide the best of both worlds:
the dynamic nature of scripting languages like Perl/TCL/REXX,
but also support for general programming found in the more
traditional languages like Icon, C, Modula,...
(I just noticed a typo; the "It's" at the beginning of the second paragraph
shouldn't have an apostrophe).
-Bennett
bet@sbi.com