[news.admin] Why not run Pathalias directly from the posted map files?

karl@mstar.UUCP (Karl Fox) (02/19/88)

Since all the current maps sit in /usr/spool/news/comp/mail/maps, why
not devise a scheme that runs pathalias directly on the posted files?
Incoming map updates can cancel or supersede previous versions, and
even partial map files could be posted in some cases (as long as the
partial updates entailed only additions or upgrades -- an "abc
xyz(LOCAL)" followed by an "abc xyz(DEAD)" always takes the cheaper
(i.e. LOCAL) weight, regardless of order).  Also, can a posted file
"supersede" multiple previous postings?  If not, cancels could
certainly be used.

All that is needed is a filter to strip off the news headers and any
enclosing shar envelope.

Am I missing something?  This seems too easy.
-- 
Karl Fox, Morning Star Technologies, Inc.    ...!cbosgd!mstar!karl