Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!chinet!mcdchg!ddsw1!karl From: karl@ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) Newsgroups: comp.sources.d Subject: Re: PATCH usage Summary: Please, let's be reasonable.... Message-ID: <1353@ddsw1.UUCP> Date: 8 Jul 88 05:41:50 GMT References: <393@sce.UUCP> <1129@sun.soe.clarkson.edu> <1323@ddsw1.UUCP> <4764@vdsvax.steinmetz.ge.com> Reply-To: karl@ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) Organization: Macro Computer Solutions, Inc., Mundelein, IL Lines: 39 In article <4764@vdsvax.steinmetz.ge.com> barnett@vdsvax.steinmetz.ge.com (Bruce G. Barnett) writes: >In article <1323@ddsw1.UUCP> karl@ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) writes: >|But the enormous volume engendered by all the patch traffic is the point of >|contention. It is very inefficient to send a 90K original posting, then >|200K of patches. Much, much better to send the original, patched... > >It is better to get 13 patches than 13 copies of the entire >distribution. I'm not arguing for dispensing with the patch process -- just for 25 different sets. What I was suggesting was that when the patch size gets out of hand (ie: when you post 200K of patches consisting of several sets, all at once to a 90K source) that consideration be given to sending another, base, distribution. This both cuts traffic and increases the average information content to the net as a whole in the group. Here's how: o Those who don't have the posting will get the entire package at the next full repost, whenever it may occur. Thus, for these users, it has a much higher utility than "another patch" would have. o Those who do already have the original get the same utility as they would from a patch; that is, a new version with bug fixes and enhancements. I don't think that I was advocating complete reposts for each bug and fix....... that would be a gross waste. What I was advocating was common sense instead of the "make it easier on the authors" approach. When we're talking major upgrade (ie: major version change) you're probably best off doing a repost; context diffs get enormous. A place to start would likely be 75-80% of the size of a reposting... and adjust to taste and net.desire. Now the mahjong tiles, that is 'nother matter, better left to a different group or unsaid completely :-) -- Karl Denninger (ddsw1!karl) Data: (312) 566-8912, Voice: (312) 566-8910 Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. "Quality solutions at a fair price"