XRJJM%SCINT.SPAN@STAR.STANFORD.EDU (John McMahon, (05/28/88)
Note: Long Mail Message !
Well, most of you have probably received Christopher Seline's NEWS for
DECNET users program by now. I just got it, and I think a few comments
are in order.
***> From: Christopher Seline <SCS7317%OCVAXB@VB.CC.CMU.EDU>
***>
***> X10 rem MAP - hack tolook for news on a DECNET
***> X20 rem it isn't pretty (and it doesn't use DAP (which it should)) but
***> X30 rem it works. Which is the number one important thing in the real world
***> X40 rem and all you programmers out there had better not forget it.
<a large amount of VMS_SHARed program source deleted...>
Interesting idea for finding a news site...
What this program does is check every decnet node possible for a specific
directory that I assume (not being a UNIX wiz) contains the source data for
news. The problem here is it is generating a FAL (File Access) request on
every node in your network. On a small network, this may present little or no
problems, but on the larger networks, this could be a big mess.
If you are on SPAN/HEPNET/THENET... I would advise you not to run this
program. You may locate a news site (after a while), but I guarantee that your
system manager will want to know why you were poking around a large number of
SPAN/HEPNET/THENET nodes. Many remote system managers get very curious when
they notice an unknown user issuing a FAL (File Access) request to their node.
Curiousity leads to phone calls to network management... which leads to trouble
for you.
The alternative is to find a ULTRIX site on your DECNET, and ask them whether
or not they run news and whether or not you can "tap in" on their news feed.
It's a much safer alternative than poking around in every computer on the net.
***> X!`009news.tpu Copyright 1988 (c) Christopher Seline
***> X!`009ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
***> X!`009TO USE THIS PRODUCT YOU MUST OBTAIN A LICENSE
***> X!`009USE OF THIS PRODUCT MORE THAN FIVE (5) TIMES
***> X!`009WITHOUT A LICENSE IS A CRIME. TO OBTAIN A LICENSE
***> X!`009SEND THE LICENSING FEE TO:
(Address deleted)
***> X!`009LICENSING FEE:
***> X!`009`009Cluster license $250`009(per cluster)
***> X!`009`009Machine license $100`009(per machine)
***> X!`009`009Personal license$020`009(per user)
Well, as a lawyer... I make a pretty good system manager. However, I wonder
about the legality of distributing a piece of "copyrighted" & "licensed"
software on a public mailing list, and then demanding fees for it's use.
I realize the "shareware" folks do it all the time, but they state something
like: "Well, if you really like this program, please send 25 bucks to..."
As I recall, in the non-electronic world, a company (or a person) can't send
you something for free and then bill you for it. I'm not sure if this applies
here... anyone know the answer ?
***> X!SAVE("SYS$LOGIN:news");
***> XSAVE("students:[scs7317.trans]news_inprog");
***> XQUIT;
Finally, for those of you planning on using the program... You will find
a SAVE command in the TPU procedure. I would eyeball it before running
it unless you also have a directory called students:[SCS7317.TRANS].
John McMahon
xrjjm%scint.span@star.stanford.edu