NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL (DDN Reference) (09/29/89)
This note announces two enhancements to the RFC Index. 1. CHANGE TO VERSION NUMBER From now on, the version number for the RFC:RFC-INDEX.TXT file will match the highest-numbered RFC issued. The RFC index is updated as soon as possible after the announcement of a new RFC, usually within 24 hours. When the index is updated to include a new RFC, its version number will be set to match the highest-numbered RFC issued. This feature will allow users doing a directory listing of the file to see whether or not it has been updated before they transfer the file. Users may type DIR RFC:RFC-INDEX within FTP to see the version number of the file. It is important to remember, however, that sometimes RFCs are issued in non-numerical order. Thus, "RFC 2000" may be issued before "RFC 1999". In this case, the index would be called "RFC:RFC-INDEX.TXT.2000", even though RFC 1999 had not been issued. Assuming RFC 1999 were issued next, the index would retain the "RFC:RFC-INDEX.TXT.2000" name because the highest-numbered RFC issued would be RFC 2000. If you are ever in doubt about the contents of the RFC Index, please call the NIC at 1-800-235-3155 and ask for more information. 2. POSTSCRIPT RFCS The RFC index will now indicate which RFCs are available in postscript form, and whether they are available only in that form. Although the NIC maintains the RFC repository and index, we do not determine the format of the RFCs themselves. You can get all online RFCs from the NIC via FTP, Kermit, or the SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL mail server. To obtain a postscript RFC via SERVICE, the Subject line of your message should be "SEND RFC:RFCnnnn.PS" (don't use quotes) where nnnn is the number of the RFC you want. The first of these changes was made in response to a suggestion from a user. The NIC welcomes such suggestions and tries to accommodate reasonable user needs whenever we can. If you have a suggestion that would help us improve our service, please send it to SUGGESTIONS@NIC.DDN.MIL. -------