noring@netcom.COM (Jon Noring) (06/20/91)
(Revision of 19-June-1991)
List of Recommended PC (DOS) Archive Sites Accessible via Anonymous FTP
***********************************************************************
A huge amount of Shareware and Public Domain software for the pc-user is
available via anonymous ftp from many sites in the world. For the
average user, it is a very time-consuming task to access the sites known
to archive pc software and related information, and to sort and sift
through them looking for what he/she wants. A list of a few recommended
archive sites would help most pc-users focus their software search
strategy thus saving them time with the added benefit of reducing
network load.
The following list presents the recommended sites for various broad
categories of interest to the pc (dos) user. My criteria for including
an archive site in this list are:
1) The archive site should be actively maintained and new files
added in a timely manner.
2) The site should archive a fairly complete selection of all the
currently available software in the categories it specializes in.
3) The site should have a clearly understandable directory structure
with downloadable file indexes containing complete file
descriptions.
4) The site should be accessible most of the time (i.e., high
reliability). In addition, it should not be geographically
restricted (some sites do not want overseas access).
5) File access and dowloading should be reasonably fast.
I will strive to keep the total number of sites included in this list down
to a minimum based on the above criteria. I will, however, try to include
enough alternate sites so that if one site is down for whatever reason, the
pc-user can ftp to an alternate site. Obviously there will be some give
and take as this list develops over time.
If the pc-user cannot find what they're looking for at these sites, they
can always access the complete ftp site list at pilot.njin.net
[128.6.18.38] or access archie at quiche.cs.mcgill.ca [132.206.2.3]
(telnet to this site and enter 'archie' as the username and follow the
instructions). Of course, you can always issue a plea to Usenet if you
are really desperate.
Final Note: Pc-users should start their search close to home before
going overseas. Most of the files that you need are right in your own
backyard.
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GENERAL PC (DOS) ARCHIVE SITES
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wuarchive.wustl.edu A mirror to several archives, including Simtel,
[128.252.135.4] PC-BLUE, and comp.binaries.ibm.pc. It also
has an extensive GIF library, and archives some
games. Overall, this site is the best in North
America with regards to access, completeness,
indexing, and downloading speed. A real class
archive.
garbo.uwasa.fi One of the well-known Finnish sites. Like
[128.214.12.37] wuarchive, Garbo has an excellent selection,
including Windows 3.0 files. It is also a
world-class archive.
vega.hut.fi Another Finnish archive. It has a good selection
[130.233.200.42] of files in most categories.
wsmr-simtel20.army.mil The well-known Simtel archive. It also includes
[192.88.110.20] the PC-Blue collection. Unfortunately, it is
difficult to access because of equipment limitations
and it is usually slow. I only include it here since
leaving it out would raise a lot of eyebrows. It
is best to access one of it's mirrors such as
wuarchive.wustl.edu before trying to connect to
this site.
msdos.archive.umich.edu An up and coming archive, which has a good
[141.211.165.34] selection in many categories, including games and
windows 3.0.
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SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS ARCHIVE SITES
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SIMTEL MSDOS MIRRORS
--------------------
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4
isca01.isca.uiowa.edu 128.255.16.175
nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100
sol.deakin.edu.au 128.184.1.1
CHYDE (GARBO) MIRRORS
---------------------
sol.deakin.edu.au 128.184.1.1
PC-SIG COLLECTION
-----------------
ksuvm.ksu.edu 129.130.1.1
ux1.cso.uiuc.edu 128.174.5.59
PC-BLUE COLLECTION
------------------
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4
wsmr-simtel20.army.mil 192.88.110.20
EXEC-PC COLLECTION
------------------
ux1.cso.uiuc.edu 128.174.5.59 Exec-PC is a BBS in Milwaukee
described as "the world's largest".
COMP.BINARIES.IBM.PC ARCHIVE
----------------------------
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4
grape.ecs.clarkson.edu 128.153.28.129 Accessible by modem
wsmr-simtel20.army.mil 192.88.110.20
WINDOWS 3 APPLICATIONS
----------------------
cica.cica.indiana.edu 129.79.20.22 Specializes in Windows 3
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4
garbo.uwasa.fi 128.214.12.37
GAMES
-----
(I'm still looking for sites that carry a large number of up-to-date games
as found on most public BBS's. Rumor has it that mars.ee.msstate.edu
[130.18.64.3] carries a lot of games, but I can never seem to connect to
it to find out. Most of the sites listed here do carry some games, but
not anywhere near to the extent that is possible. How about it, is there
some site out there that'd like to take on the challenge of doing this?
GIF FILES
---------
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4 Excellent selection with index.
ames.arc.nasa.gov 128.102.18.3 Many space-related GIF files,
very unique.
isca01.isca.uiowa.edu 128.255.16.175
schizo.samsung.com 134.228.1.2
ticsys.tamu.edu 128.194.43.66 Restricted to evening use.
vmd.cso.uiuc.edu 128.174.5.98 Daily weather satellite photos in
directory phil.515.
vmtecmex.cem.itesm.mx 132.254.1.4 Slow access, but does contain a
lot of files, probably duplicated
by wuarchive.wustl.edu. However,
it keeps an updated list of all
the known GIF file archive sites
on the Internet.
zurich.ai.mit.edu 18.26.0.176
(Note on GIF sites: It is NSF policy that no site on their backbone can
keep or maintain any R or X rated GIF's except for valid research purposes
(I know, it's hard to define a pornographic image, but we all know one
when we see it). Please do not recommend to me any clandestine sites
which happen to carry this "forbidden" material - I will not include them
here).
Remember, this is your list, so, please help me update it! If you
maintain a specialized archive of PC software, let me know and I'll
consider including it on this list. subject to the criteria set forth
above.
Corrections, additions, deletions, differences of opinion, flames,
etc., are welcome! I'm especially interested in finding other mirror
sites for SIMTEL, PC-SIG, PC-BLUE, comp.binaries.ibm.pc, and for
commercial BBS collections such as EXEC-PC. And, of course, GAMES!
Thanks for everybody's input so far.
--
=============================================================================
| Jon Noring | noring@netcom.netcom.com | "The dogs bark, but the |
| JKN International | IP : 192.100.81.100 | caravan moves on." |
| 754 Catalina Drive | Phone : (415) 294-8153 | "Pack your lunch, sit in |
| Livermore, CA 94550 | V-Mail: (415) 862-1101 | the bushes, and watch." |
=============================================================================
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"If you make $50,000 today, you have the same buying power as the average
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nationally recognized Certified Financial Planner; quoted in 1987.