You datsun folks may want to ignore most of this, as the pub/datsun directory
is still empty, since the Datsun list is quite a bit smaller than the others,
but will someday share in the archive access scheme.
Okay, here's the deal. Currently there is enough disk space on triumph
to hold a fair amount of stuff. Soon, other means of access, such as direct
NFS mounts, FSP, and other modern information browsing tools will be useful
in getting what you want from the archives.
Eventually there may be a lot more pictures, maybe even movies and sounds,
and so on, as well as just text copies of all the mail I've saved, and will
yet save. This could run into a fair chunk of disk space, which I currently
don't have. So let's buy one, maybe.
The Plan:
The plan, assuming that my boss, the U. of Utah Regents, the state police,
the IRS, the ATF, the FCC, the NSF, ad infinitum, don't get me carted off to
jail for doing something I shouldn't. That is, something unique and untested.
Wonder if I should claim I'm actually selling storage space or something?
Oh well, we'll see.
Anyway, those of you who have an extra dollar or two might consider making a
donation to the archive asset fund. There are roughly 1,000 people on these
lists, and we just got a quote for a 4 Gig disk at $2500. A 1 to 2 gig disk
would be sufficient for quite some time, and they can be had for something
like $1500 or so. In six months, probably less.
We don't need a disk soon, so there is time. Let's say that July 1, 1994
is the decision date. If by then there is a need for a disk, and sufficient
funds available, I'll get a disk and put it on the machine serving these lists.
If by some quirk of fate I get a disk from another source, I lose my job,
the lists are shut down, we don't have enough to buy a decent unit or whatever,
I'll return the money to those who sent it in. If and when I do get checks,
I'll deposit them right away, so that you won't wend up with a check that
screws up balancing your statement every month. Given the size of each
contribution I would expect, the costs of mailing it back will far exceed
6 months worth of interest.
The Warranty:
No warranty expressed or implied in this deal.
If you do mail a check, when you lick that envelope kiss that money goodbye.
Assume that whatever you donate is going down a rat hole, never to be seen
again. Yes, I did say that it would go to buying a disk or get sent back, but
you never know. I can't *guarantee* I'll still be alive or around, though
there is no real reason to think otherwise. I may be lazy, slow, rude and
whatever else, but I am not dishonest. Any money collected will not go to
putting an MSD ignition or an alloy flywheel into Killer or whatever. So
don't worry about that, but just to be safe I should say don't give more
than you're willing to just throw away.
The Details:
So, if you'd like to contribute to this plan, send in a check, made out
to "Fat Chance Garage" to this address:
Fat Chance Garage
PO Box 58333
Salt Lake City, UT 84158
You may want to put a little note in it about the disk fund, though I will
assume any checks that come in without sticker orders or something will be
for that purpose.
So, let's see what happens.
mjb.
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