de5@STC06.CTD.ORNL.GOV (SILL D E) (08/21/90)
[This is tut.cis.ohio-state.edu:pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/lispdir.doc]
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
About the GNU Emacs Lisp Code Directory
Last Update: August 21, 1990
Q. What *is* the Lisp Code Directory?
A. Originally it was simply a list, in tabular form, of various
packages of GNU Emacs Lisp code that had been posted to one of the
Emacs-related Internet or USENET mailing lists or newsgroups. Later
it became a flat-file database and associated formatting software.
Today it includes over 500 entries, contains entries for the packages
in the standard GNU Emacs distribution, and there is an elisp package
available for use with interfacing with it.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the Directory?
A. The latest copy can be ftp'd from tut.cis.ohio-state.edu. The file
is pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive/LCD-datafile.Z. (The .Z means it's
compressed; use `binary' mode in ftp when retrieving it.)
Q. How can I get a copy of a package listed in the Directory?
A. The `archive' field of the LCD entry for the package indicates
where it's archived. If this field starts with a `~', as in
~/lispdir.el.Z, the archive host is tut.cis.ohio-state.edu, and the
file is under the Emacs Lisp Archives which reside in the directory
pub/gnu/emacs/elisp-archive (see README.Z for more details). If the
`archive' field is empty, the `contact' field indicates where one can
write by e-mail to obtain the code. In the case of a package that's
part of the standard Emacs distribution, you probably already have it
in your $EMACS/lisp directory. If you're unable to find a copy
through the listed contact, post a query to gnu.emacs, info-gnu-emacs,
or your favorite Emacs group.
Q. What and where is the LCD interfacing package?
A. It's called `lispdir', and it's in ~/lispdir.el.Z. (See previous
answer for details on exactly where that is.) It currently produces a
full-directory report in three different formats, two of which are
tabular. It also provides a function called lisp-dir-apropos that
pops up a buffer containing entries that relate to a given topic.
Q. I don't have ftp or uucp access. Is there a mail archive server?
A. No, there isn't. Probably the best thing for you to do is contact
the author directly. If that fails, request the items you want via
your favorite Emacs mailing list or newsgroup.
Q. How can I get my package added to the Directory or get typos or
inaccuracies fixed?
A. Dylan Kaufman, morgan@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu, maintains the
Directory. Send typos and inaccuracies to him. Dave Sill,
de5@ornl.gov, maintains the Emacs Lisp Archives. Send submissions to
him, and include an LCD record. See ~/guidelines.Z for more
information on submissions.