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Path: utzoo!mnetor!genat!maccs!gordan
From: gordan@maccs.UUCP (Gordan Palameta)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Distribution of ST software on the net
Message-ID: <132@maccs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 22-Nov-86 15:41:31 EST
Article-I.D.: maccs.132
Posted: Sat Nov 22 15:41:31 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Nov-86 17:49:57 EST
References: <126@maccs.UUCP> <547@uwmacc.UUCP>
Reply-To: gordan@maccs.UUCP (Gordan Palameta)
Distribution: na
Organization: DCSS, McMaster University
Lines: 59

In article <547@uwmacc.UUCP> oyster@uwmacc.UUCP (Vicarious Oyster) writes:
>In article <126@maccs.UUCP> gordan@maccs.UUCP (Gordan Palameta) writes:
>>-------------------------------------------
>>Like many users of the net, I've been frustrated
>>occasionally by garbled reception of uuencoded
>>software...
>
>>What I am wondering is why an alternate means of
>>distributing public domain software created by Usenet
>>users could not be organized.  For instance, a large
>>number of programs could be packed on a single floppy
>>disk which could be sent through ordinary *non-electronic*
>>mail.
>>
>   I would be willing to be a local distribution node in a distributed
>network, i.e. there would be a person (or two) for each general area of
>the continent who would collect and maintain a set of software, and handle
>requests from people in his/her area.  This kind of scheme, if workable
>(and I welcome constructive criticism), should prevent one person from
>burning out from too much work, and would get PD software to people more 
>quickly.  On the minus side, it would require a bit more work in keeping
>local contact people up to date.  However, I think the initial hassle of
>setting up a system like this would be worth it in the long run.  Maybe
>we could even get an official seal of approval from Atari as the 
>Distributed Atari Software Team and Regional Distributors (DASTARD :-).
>--
>
> - Joel Plutchak
>   uucp:   {allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!oyster
>   ARPA:   oyster@unix.macc.wisc.edu
>   BITNET: plutchak@WISCMACC
>   BIX:  plutch

Thanks for the responses that have been received on this subject.  I am
encouraged so far to think that the idea might be feasible.

I did receive some cautionary advice in e-mail from Allan Pratt warning that
the amount of work involved might be considerable, and suggesting contacting
anyone who may have tried this idea before and possibly given up.  So any
advice on this subject either in e-mail or on the net would be welcome.  It
would be nice to have some idea of exactly what amount of time and effort
would be involved before proceeding.

Another suggestion from Allan Pratt was that BBSs might be used instead as
a means of obtaining software.  There are certainly many bulletin boards all
over the continent and I myself am a user of a number of local ones.  However,
most Sysops do not appreciate users who merely download software without
contributing to their message base, considering this to be an abuse of their
system.  Nevertheless, for those so inclined, BBSs are a useful resource -- I
was able to find a copy of Uniterm after two net postings were garbled.

Still, there may be a need for another way, for those who might not have
modems or are just casually interested in obtaining software.  I would like
to hear some more opinions though before any decision to go ahead.


Gordan Palameta

Usenet:  ... { !seismo, !utzoo } !mnetor!genat!maccs!gordan