perlman@wanginst.UUCP (Gary Perlman) (01/08/85)
I am pleased that so many people (dozens) are requesting my stat package UNIX|STAT from me. I would like to explain the distribution mechanism because so many people (about half) have made problems for me. You have two options: 1. To get my 20+ programs, you can send me (I mean ME) $20 to cover my costs for the tape and mailing. This will cover my costs anywhere in the world; it costs me $2 extra to mail to Australia, not bad, eh? 2. You can send me a tape with a self-addressed prepaid mailer and there is no cost. If you take the second option, please have some class. I have received tapes wrapped in tin foil, old newspaper, but most annoying are those white foam peanuts. Many people have forgotten to include return mailers, or assumed I would use their beat up boxes to send back their tapes. I am getting tired of using my own mailers. A final note: use small tapes--a 600 foot tape is plenty. The most irritating thing is that I've received several packages from Federal Express, Emory, and other expensive delivery services. First, how desperate can you be for programs? Second, it has been 100% US government agencies who have used these services, and they get unlimited US mail service (penalty for private use $300). They use it for delivery, but give no return mechanism, duh. Lastly, I don't deal with these services, so these rush jobs sit under my desk for a week while I do easier things. Please give me a break. It is not every day you get good public domain software, and I try very hard to deliver it as quickly and cheaply as I can. If you think about it, it is not very considerate to make me spend my time fixing people's requests. I feel like a jerk having to send this message, so all you who have not sent me a request yet, think about how you can make life a little easier for me. Gary Perlman/Wang Institute/Tyngsboro, MA/01879/(617) 649-9731