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From: ts@uwasa.fi (Timo Salmi LASK)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: PKZIP `export version'
Message-ID: <1990Aug25.212117.11950@uwasa.fi>
Date: 25 Aug 90 21:21:17 GMT
References: <5941@castle.ed.ac.uk>
Organization: University of Vaasa
Lines: 39

In article <5941@castle.ed.ac.uk> djm@castle.ed.ac.uk (D Murphy) writes:
>Whatever would anyone want that for ? Can't they get hold of real versions ?

This was discussed at some length when pkz110.exe came about, and it
was decided (between Keith Petersen and myself mainly) that we do
not want to be judges of (even stupid) US export stipulations. 
Therefore I acquired the European version, and renamed it
pkz110eu.exe, and put it up for download from chyde.uwasa.fi, whence
it thus originates.  We didn't like this, but didn't want to
compromise the net, either. 

>This sounds like some moron in the State Department saying `its my ball and
>youre not playing with it'. 

Right O, but as I said it wasn't for us to make a crusade against
this ridiculous stipulation which leaks like a sieve, anyway.  Many
European BBSes seem to have the US version. 

>Is the only difference between the two that the US/Canada one has the ability
>to encrypt the company-serial number data into a zipfile for the 
>authentication check (since this was the only bit in the readme file which
>had `US/Canada only' on it)
 
No, there is a bit more to it.  The whole encryption system.

>Now, I'm about to register for this thing (any *idea* how much profit the
>banks make out of sending a cheque in another currency ? - lots) but I 
>really think that if I'm to pay more for the software than those in the US
>(given the bank ripoff) I should at least get the same package.

Wishful thinking, on your part, I am afraid.  You won't get the same
package just by registering (unless you buy in in the US or Canada
and don't stress you nationality).  (I am a registered user myself,
and was sent the export version).

...................................................................
Prof. Timo Salmi        (Moderating at anon. ftp site 128.214.12.3)
School of Business Studies, University of Vaasa, SF-65101, Finland
Internet: ts@chyde.uwasa.fi Funet: gado::salmi Bitnet: salmi@finfun