encode/decode programs

[guido at boring.UUCP]

[I hate to put discussions in net.sources, so this followup goes
to net.sources.bugs.  Where else should source-related discussions go?
(I know, to net.general of course, for all your favourite pastimes. :-)]

In article <6548 at boring.UUCP> ken at boring.UUCP (Ken Yap) writes:
>When everybody has a copy of compress/uncompress and these programs, I
>hope the size of large postings, e.g. BinHexed sources, can be
>reduced.

*** This is a plea not to use these programs! (at least not for BinHex) ***

Sorry Ken, but I will never post anything compressed with these
programs until I am positively sure that all potential receivers have
them.  The flood of messages "Does anybody have a copy of decode for
me" and regular (and then duplicate!) repostings of decode (and
encode!) will only make life worse otherwise.

Especially in the case of BinHexed sources for the Macintosh, these are
intended to be received by people without access to Unix.  As far as I
know, USENET is not a UNIX-only network.  BinHex files can be
downloaded as text to the Macintosh where the Mac application BinHex
decodes them.  Unless you also post versions of encode/decode for the
Macintosh (better yet, combined with the functioning of BinHex!), those
users will not like encoded sources very much.

(Also, BinHex 4.0 does some compression of its own.)

The net traffic could be reduced more if people would refrain from
posting every cute graphics demo they write, and make sure the posting
is right the first time (i.e. < 64K, and checked that it downloads
correctly!).

-- 
	Guido van Rossum, CWI, Amsterdam (guido at mcvax.UUCP)