In article <4
...@rtech.UUCP> b
...@rtech.UUCP (Bob Mcqueer) writes:
>Long articles is really the issue, not source vs. object.
Actually, article length is only part of the issue. More important in my
mind is "Bang for Buck", "Knobs per Dollar", "Utility for Cost". This means
that for many people, source code is much more useful than object, because
it can be customized for a particular need. Also, parts of it may be
applicable to an entirely different type of hardware. I would much rather
handle an article containing source in the clear than either encoded source
or encoded object. Until quite recently, my site didn't have uudecode, so
we had been passing huge encoded files around with zero benefit possible.
It also seems that after every uuencoded posting, we see about a dozen
postings requesting a copy of uudecode.
On the posting of object code in the first place, I don't believe in it.
Distribution of executable/object files are well handled by the existing
infrasturcture of user groups and bulletin boards. There is no reason
why the net must collectively pay several hundred dollars to save several
people who may possibly be interested in a program the (about) $5 it costs
to get a floppy from a user group like PC Blue. Most of the users of the
net are in metropolitan areas where local user groups can provide an
effective (and even cheaper) method of distributing such material.
--
Ron Heiby he...@cuae2.ATT.COM Moderator: mod.newprod & mod.os.unix
AT&T-IS, /app/eng, Lisle, IL (312) 810-6109
"Hay una mujer desaparecida...."
