chuck@trantor.harris-atd.com (Chuck Musciano) (12/01/88)
The Software EXchange looks like it will be a reality in Miami. I have spoken with Mark Sims, from Sun, and a machine will most likely be available. I have written a little windowed tool which will let us run a machine without having someone manage it all the time. We will support 1/4" cartridge tape ONLY. Here are the rules for bringing software to share: * Create your tapes using tar, without an explicit block size. * Use only relative pathnames on the tape. * Make sure that each software package you bring is in its own directory on the tape. Even if the package is just one file, put it in a directory before you tar it up. The tapetool requires this to keep things organized. In fact, it will enforce this rule when you add software to the machine. * Try to make sure that each package has some sort of README to describe it to potential users. * Remember that you are placing things into the public domain when you contribute them, so affix any copyrights, etc. The tapetool will display a panel with each package and its size displayed. You can then select the packages you want and click a button to create your tape. Similarly, you can insert a tape, and tapetool will read off the new stuff and add it to the existing packages. Even if you have nothing to contribute, make sure you bring a tape to Miami. If you don't, you'll be sorry! And I don't think the Foutainbleu gift shop has the 45 Mbyte tapes, either. Chuck Musciano Advanced Technology Department Harris Corporation (407) 727-6131 ARPA: chuck@trantor.harris-atd.com [[ It looks like most, if not all, of the Sun-Spots source archive will be available at the Software EXchange. --wnl ]]