Re: fglgetopt()

In <list.88>, John Ackley wrote: > > If there is a large amount of interest, I'll post it here, > it's not huge (~240 lines with sample usage 4GL code), but I don't > want to barrage anyone with unsolicited code. .... > > Walt, what kind of numbers would represent a threshold for posting? On the scale of the Net in general, a source code posting of ~240 lines would be relatively small, IMHO. If this were a NetNews newsgroup, I'd say post away and see who complains. With respect to this mailing list, it's a little tougher call. Some info that might be relevant: we currently have 240 known members in 16 known countries on 1 known planet :-). About 160 of us have indicated that we work with or are interested in I4GL. From that, you'd assume there'd be a high level of interest. However, a number of members are individuals or small organizations who must pay directly for all transmission costs to long-distance carriers, gateway sites, etc. In some countries, data-transmission phone calls are very expensive. I could offer more pros and cons, but the resulting message would probably be longer than 240 lines. I guess I would do as you did: announce that you have the code and see how many people respond. If you get swamped with replies, then you might have to post the code out of self-defense. One thing that might offer an answer to this question is to have a mail archive for code, doc's, etc. I am in the process of installing one for the list itself to allow the retrieval of past messages (if anyone tried to answer my call for an archive site in <list.68>, I didn't receive it). THE ARCHIVE SERVER IS NOT ON THE AIR YET! I would be willing to accept files such as the source for fglgetopt() for inclusion in the archive. This would be strictly to act as as a common redistribution point. I would not be able to do any testing, volume-izing, etc. I guess members who want to post code, etc., will have to depend on their gut feeling based on the size of the file, general usefulness, etc. My personal vote would be to announce rather than post if you're in doubt. Sorry this turned into a rather long-winded response. But, as the list grows, and more small sites join the list, it will be helpful to have some consensus about what constitutes an appropriate posting. If other members want to send me questions or comments, I'll be glad to summarize. Thanks, Walt. -- Walt Hultgren Internet: walt@rmy.emory.edu Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA BITNET: walt@EMORY Voice: +1 404 727 0648 UUCP: {...,rutgers,gatech}!emory!rmy!walt