MaxFDN, The Maximus File Distribution Network Policy Document Last Modified: Fri 04-09-96 The Maximus FDN Coordinator is: Gary Gilmore, 1:2410/400 The Asst. Coordinator is: Kevin Bentz, 1:2410/213 The Maximus File Distribution Network (MaxFDN) currently consists of the following file areas: MAXBBS Official Maximus & Squish releases MAXUTIL Maximus/Squish Utilities MAXOTHR Language files, MEX/MECCA scripts MAXMISC Misc. files, FAQs, newsletters, etc. MAXHQ Upstream to MAX FDN HQ *ONLY* 1. Any and/or All nodes are allowed to make submissions directly to the Maximus FDN via the MAXHQ area. Files will be received and reviewed by the MaxFDN Coordinator prior to releasing them for general distribution. (If -we- can't figure out how to run/use your program, it won't get hatched... please include documentation!) 2. All file hubs are strongly urged to add the MAXHQ area to their Tick (or compatible) configuration file, making it "receive only" from downlinks and passing files received in this echo back to their immediate uplink. Files received in this area must -NOT- be re-distributed among your downlinks, but only sent to your immediate uplink. 3. Session level passwords are stongly encouraged between MaxFDN nodes, but are not required. (Unless directly linked to the MaxFDN HQ) 4. Only public domain and/or shareware files should be submitted to the Maximus FDN for distribution. Programs by others should -not- be included with your program, unless you have proof of permission from the author of such programs to do so. In the case of MEX/MECCA files, "fixes of fixes of Joe Blow's MEX/MECCA" type files will not be permitted. If you don't like Joe Blow's MEX/MECCA, write your own, and we'll hatch it. 5. CRC checking should be performed on all Maximus FDN files received or passing through your system and files are not to be altered in any way. This includes the following: - Archive comments should neither be stripped nor added to files, unless "dead-ending" on your system. - Archives should not be converted to other formats until after any/all downlinks have received the file unless your processor is capable of sending the un-altered, original file. 6. The official support echoes for Maximus are available via Fidonet using the following areatags: MUFFIN Maximus BBS support TUB Squish support MECCA Maximus MECCA & MEX language support MAXDEV Maximus development & 3rd party program support File announcements of new MaxFDN releases will be made in the MUFFIN echo. Please do not anounce MaxFDN files in the above echos, but -do- announce them in your local (net) file arrival echo, if your net has one. 7. The Maximus FDN is a volunteer effort, but we realize that it does cost money to distribute the files. Requesting a reasonable amount of funds from downlinks in the form of "cost sharing" is acceptable and often necessary but should be equitable and done only by the consensus of the involved systems. Gouging or attempts at profiteering are extremely frowned upon, and will probably result in your link being severed. 8. In the spirit of Maximus support that has gone on for so long, we ask that you do what you can to: - Help propagate the spread of files released in the MaxFDN. - Give links to those willing to poll you for the MaxFDN. - Encourage authors to send their programs/utilities to the MaxFDN. - Send quality Max/Squish programs you find to the MaxFDN HQ for hatching. Doing these things helps all Maximus sysops and Squish users. That's what the "spirit of Maximus" is all about... helping each other. Files hatched in the MaxFDN will also be made available on the Maximus Home Page, located at "http://oeonline.com/~garyg" -and- placed on SimTel, in the /SimTel/vendors/maximus/ directory, which is mirrored world-wide. (Note: We will, at author request, refrain from placing their file(s) on the homepage & SimTel. Files not in PKZIP format -will- be "wrapped" in PKZIP archive for inclusion on the web page/SimTel, to ease downloading for web users, and due to SimTel requirements. They will not, however, be rearchived.) Authors! -------- Your submissions to the MaxFDN may be made via the MAXHQ echo, Fidonet file attach to 1:2410/400 or 1:2410/213, or as an email attach to "garyg@oeonline.com". (Or, if you have a web page/ftp site, tell us the URL/sitename, and we'll come get it!) To be considered for release, your program -must- contain documentation, and it's preferred that you include a FILE_ID.DIZ in the archive. (Programs not compatible with the current released versions of Max/Squish will probably -not- be released, unless there's some special reason for doing so.) Suggestions or comments to the Maximus FDN coordinator may be made in the via netmail (1:2410/400) or internet email (garyg@oeonline.com).