[DECtalk] Username and password for DECtalk archive

[Tony Baechler]

Hi.  OK, I have also heard things about Andre which are not best discussed 
here, besides I was asked to keep them confidential.  This is not the first 
time that the archive issue has come up.  I really do understand where he 
is coming from about donations.  I run two servers, so I do know how hard 
it is to set up.  One of them is having serious bandwidth issues because I 
did someone a favor.  It isn't that person's fault, but his files are too 
popular and people download them like mad.  I am lucky that I haven't got 
complaints from the particular provider.  My point is that whoever manages 
the archive needs lots and lots of bandwidth.  I'm sorry to say this, but I 
really don't think Jayson qualifies.  For one thing, as he said, bandwidth 
is an issue for him right now.  For another, he is in the US so we will 
have copyright problems.  Again, I'm sorry, but we need to deal with facts.

So what do I suggest?  I do not suggest donating to Andre.  Why?  Because I 
don't think he will ever be happy with the archive.  This is based on 
information that I have about him generally, and my own experiences with 
running servers.  I think the best thing to do is find a site in Europe who 
has the bandwidth and is willing to host the archive.  My preference would 
be a UK site because of the Red Dwarf, but any European site would be 
fine.  I would stay away from Australia because they have just passed 
stricter copyright laws.  Canada would be fine also.  Asia would be OK but 
in general is very, very slow.  I just thought of something.  Someone, 
please visit these two sites and ask them to mirror the archive.  I think 
they would and our bandwidth issues would be over.  We would still need a 
main archive to mirror from, but that could still be handled by Andre since 
everyone could be diverted to the mirrors.  In fact, just put on the index 
page that this archive is no longer accessible except through 
mirrors.  Look at these:

http://www.mirror.ac.uk/
http://www.planetmirror.com/

I am sure one or the other would mirror the archive.  I think planetmirror 
is mirroring the asimov Apple II archive which is marginal in terms of 
copyright.  Any thoughts?  Either way, I think we should really move the 
main archive off Andre's site.  If someone could set up a server in Canada, 
that might be best, or the UK.  Only let the mirror service access the main 
site and make everyone use that mirror.  As I said, this would eliminate 
both Andre and the bandwidth issue.  Another reason to eliminate Andre's 
archive is because he doesn't care about it and would probably be happy to 
be done with it anyway.

At 11:39 AM 4/2/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello folks.  Several changes have been made to the dectalk 
>archive.  First, the archive is now protected by a username and 
>password.  the username is dectalk, the password is donations.  IWhich 
>leads to the fact taht I've had to put a brand new Index page up there, 
>with the paypal button right at the top.  As Andre says "If ten people 
>donate one dollor, that 's ten dollors.  If two bucks, that twenty."  Make 
>a dude happy.  If we don't get donations, there will 
>Be!  No!  DECtalk!  Archive!  Search google for Andre Louis, and the first 
>thing that comes up is the DECtalk archive.  Andre does not want to be 
>asociated with something he doesn't care about.