Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!ncar!gatech!hubcap!ncrcae!ncr-sd!ncrlnk!ncrcce!c10sd3!c10sd1!johnson
From: johnson@c10sd1.StPaul.NCR.COM (Wayne D. T. Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Moderation...
Message-ID: <345@c10sd1.StPaul.NCR.COM>
Date: 17 Mar 88 20:29:40 GMT
References: <1424@polyslo.UUCP> <149@tscs.UUCP> <125@aeras.UUCP> <275@syntron.UUCP>
Reply-To: johnson@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Wayne D. T. Johnson)
Organization: NCR Comten, St Paul
Lines: 16

Would it not make more sense to find 1 (or more) nodes that are willing
to archive the binaries and have the authors (or their representatives)
just distribute a synopsis of the program for all to see.  These archive
nodes could then distribute the software only to those users who have 
requested (ordered?) it.  This process would be automated of course.

This would greatly cut down on network traffic because only requested
software would be transmitted.  Not everyone wishes a copy of every
program sent out.  In my case I think I only keep 2-3% of the binaries
that pass by.  The amount of time spent re-transmitting portions of a 
program (and the requests to retransmit it) could also be eliminated.

I have seen references to various archives around the network, since I
am new here, some of what I have suggested may be already in place.  But
the basic idea of only brodcasting small descriptions of a program and
allowing those interested to order it instead of mass distribution makes
sense to me.