Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!killer!csccat!loci
From: loci@csccat.UUCP (Chuck Brunow)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc
Subject: (shar(uuencode(arc)))
Message-ID: <446@csccat.UUCP>
Date: 17 Apr 88 18:08:32 GMT
Reply-To: loci@csccat.UUCP (Chuck Brunow)
Organization: Computer Support Corporation. Dallas,Texas
Lines: 57
Summary: file posting madness
References:



	This is crazy. We have programs "shar'd", "uuencoded", and "arc'd".
	If that wasn't enough, versions of arc are spawning like wild
	flowers. It makes no sense!

	First off, how can a share-ware program (arc) become the "standard"
	packing on usenet? Either the authors are quite rich by now
	(you did send your donation, right) or they've been robbed.
	Obeying the instructions, I tried it and decided it was nice
	but not for me (my machine runs both unix and msdos) and I
	deleted it. Now I find that everyone has latched on to it
	and you must have arc to do anything.

	Following that dubious development, It was necessary to
	package the binary files that arc creates, so into uuencode
	it goes. That's a lot like compressing (or squashing or ...)
	and then padding it out fat again to make it transmit.
	Two left turns and we're lost.

	Now, simply arc'ing and uuencode'ing isn't enough, files are
	too big (or something) and they must be shar'd. Where does
	this madness end. Surely it would make more sense to re-think
	the whole process and develop one process that does it all.

	I suppose that DOS is the true culprit here, since it is the
	most brain-dead excuse for an operating system imaginable
	but that can't justify the mania that has spawned here on
	usenet. As I said before, I can dl into unix and simply copy
	files to DOS and I don't really like having to jump through
	endless loops before I can tell whether a program is useful
	or not (especially since it's mostly junk and is promptly
	discarded). And I have serious mis-givings about using anyones
	copyrighted software as a standard. (have I missed something?
	Is arc now in the PD?).

	I know that most people like to have the latest and greatest
	version of programs and there seems to be something suspect
	about good software just because a new rev appears but it's
	created a massive tower of Babel. I'm going to say it out-loud,
	"THE KING HAS NO CLOTHES".

	As a ISV (I write commercial software) it is appalling that
	a) commercial software is taken over from the authors by an
	unruly mob and b) the general attitude about copyright laws
	is disdain. The solution to the piracy problem is clearly
	going to be the wide-spread infection by viruses so that 
	problem is well on it's way to a solution (none too soon).
	But the real root of the problem is each individual user:
	if you want to benefit from the services provided by usenet
	then make a contribution of integrity that can be heard far
	and wide. Further, step back and look at what you want in
	the way of protocols and get organized. One program can and
	should be a common download utility. Let's find it.

				Charles Brunow
			{killer, csccat, rpp386}!loci!clb