[DECtalk] Status and uploads

[Tony Baechler]

Hi all,

OK, here's an update on the status of the archive.  I've read all the messages posted and came to two conclusions.  First, a lot of people want a big zip file of everything.  Second, there are still a few people who want to upload.  Therefore, I've reached the following decisions:

1. The zip file is already made.  I just have to put a password on it and get it uploaded.  It's fairly large as I recall.  The full archive is about 1 GB, so maybe I'll split it for people on slower connections.

2. I will allow new uploads for anyone who wants to contribute.  I'm still undecided about the ultimate future of the archive, but for now things will stay the same.  For anyone who wants to upload, contact me privately at tony at baechler.net.  Unlike in the old days, there will be no master upload account.  Each uploader gets their own ftp user and password.  The primary reason is to prevent abuse and for better security.  I'm still undecided about upload procedures, but people will be able to upload if they wish.

3. Finally, just for emphasis, I still haven't decided anything permanent about the archive.  A lot of it depends on my health and interest level.  For now, I probably won't change anything except to set up ftp upload accounts, but I still want to go through everything.  I will most likely remove illegal and adult material, so if you want a static snapshot of things as they now are, you should get the zip file.  I honestly have no idea what most of the files in the archive are, but I expect it will get significantly smaller.  Red Dwarf will probably be the first to go because of the legal issues.  I would like to keep it at a PG-13 level, meaning that there is no excessive swearing and no obvious adult material.  I have no idea when I'll start going through the archive, but it won't be immediately.  I'll post here as things change.

As always, this is your archive.  I freely admit that I have no idea how to make DEC-talk sing.  If you have suggestions etc about the archive, post them to the list or contact me at tony at baechler.net.  I'll start setting up ftp as soon as people ask privately.  I don't mind them asking on the list, but I want to make sure they're serious and I don't want to send the ftp password on a public list with web-based archives.  I'm looking forward to going through everything once I get time.

Tony Baechler, DECtalk archive maintainer
tony at baechler.net