The following is the text of the last Call For Votes (CFV) that resulted in the creation of the comp.lang.javascript newsgroup (as extracted from the archives at google groups). It defines the Charter for the proposed group, and as the vote was successful the charter as stated below is the charter currently in force for the comp.lang.javascript.
LAST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)
unmoderated group comp.lang.javascript
Newsgroups line:
comp.lang.javascript Netscape Communications Corp.'s JavaScript language.
Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 26 Jan 1996.
This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. Questions
about the proposed group should be directed to the proponent.
Proponent: Thomas Winzig <thomas.winzig@webcom.com>
Votetaker: Steve Bonine <spb@ntrs.com>
RATIONALE: comp.lang.javascript
Since Netscape Communication Corp.'s release of the Java-complementary
scripting language, JavaScript, there has been a steady increase in
the amount of JavaScript related questions and discussion in the
comp.lang.java usenet newsgroup. Since these two languages are
distinctly different, and might draw discussion from two generally
different 'crowds' (professional programmers and casual programmers),
I formally propose the creation of comp.lang.javascript for discussion
of everything related to the JavaScript scripting language.
At this point in time, with JavaScript still in Beta test, the amount
of JavaScript related postings to comp.lang.java is "acceptable" by
most. However, as JavaScript reaches completion, there will need to be
a place for it's separate discussion.
Truthfully, the JavaScript newsgroup could fit into a number of UseNet
heirarchies, but I think the moderator of comp.infosystems.www.announce
(M. L. Grant) explained it best when he said:
"...since javascript is different from java itself, it should be
in its own hierarchy. A sixteenth comp.infosystems.www.* newsgroup
is not needed; and putting it in the java groups will encourage the
same confusion that comp.windows endures (HINT: the group is *not*
about Microsoft operating systems)."
CHARTER: comp.lang.javascript
The proposed comp.lang.javascript will be open to discussion on all
aspects of JavaScript, as it relates to HTML, Java, Perl, the World
Wide Web in general, and other related languages. The scope of
discussion will specifically exclude matters which are *solely*
related to Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java language, which should be
discussed in comp.lang.java.
END CHARTER.
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In my opinion the charter says little that isn't obvious, but it also exhibits symptoms of its historic origin; an attempt to avoid javascript questions being asked in comp.lang.java groups. 50% of the charter's text being devoted to excluding the discussion of the Java language
In a modern context the subject of the group is interpreted as being all ECMAScript implementations as that is the standard that JavaScript (TM) now implements, and it is the implementation of that standard that allows other languages to be categorised as javascript.
No applications of javascript/ECMAScript are excluded from discussion on the group, and the group's apparent bias towards web browser scripting for the Internet is a consequence of the historical origin of the language, and the fact that browser scripting remains its most common application.