[comp.lsi.cad] FTP access to SPICE3D2 issues

ruck@reef.cis.ufl.edu (John Ruckstuhl) (01/23/91)

As many of you know, the Berkeley distributors of SPICE (now at release
SPICE3D2) no longer allow FTP access to the source code.

The code is available only on
a.  9-track tape
b.  5 HD 3.5" diskettes
c.  10 DD 3.5" diskettes
for a Materials/Handling fee of $250.

This change in accessibility was explained as necessary due to computer
resource limitations, and seems unlikely to change in the near future.

I think there are many sites who might have the extra resources to keep
a copy of SPICE3D2 online, and allow FTP access to it.  Could there be
some cooperation between Berkeley and some generous site?

To those that have already received a copy of SPICE3D2:  if I can prove
to you that the Berkeley distributors have accepted my licensing
paperwork, would you be kind enough to allow me to FTP the source from
you?  It would save my laboratory ?weeks? of waiting, the inconvenience
of finding the hardware to read the media (I wish they offered 1/4"
tape), and $250.

If I purchase the material from Berkeley, I would like to offer this
redistribution courtesy to others -- if a person could hard-mail or fax
a copy of a letter indicating that Berkeley had received their license
agreements to me, then I could give them an FTP account and password so
that they could download the source code for free.
Are there issues which I should consider before making such an offer?

Thank you.
Best Regards,
ruck
--
John R Ruckstuhl, Jr
University of Florida		ruck@cis.ufl.edu, uflorida!ruck