Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ndsuvax!ncmagel
From: ncmagel@ndsuvax.UUCP (ken magel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: sources, binaries
Message-ID: <1174@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Date: 29 Aug 88 00:07:05 GMT
Organization: North Dakota State University  Fargo, ND
Lines: 18


     The recent and ongoing posting of several Dataframe specific programs to
comp.binaries.mac suggests a perhaps better way of distributing large files
which are of interest to only a small percentage of the USENET readership. 
Instead of actually sending the sources and binaries around the network, why
not just post the binaries and sources at all the archives ( such as 
Macserve@pucc for BITNET) and send announcements around concerning the 
files which have just been posted?  Then all that would be needed is a 
network of sites with BITNET or Internet access who would volunteer to mail 
copies when requested to sites without such access within a limited geographic
area.  For example, we would be happy to distribute to any sites in North
or SOuth Dakota, MOntana or Minnesota.  The site which wanted the file and did 
not have network access to a server could request it via a mail message to the
responding site for its area.  That site could then send back a mail message 
when the source or binary was available and how to get it.  The requesting 
site would then be responsible for in the next three days or so calling the
responding site and downloading the file or files.  After say three days,
the responding site could erase the file from its disks, if it wished.