Re: Subscription to NASD CD-ROM (was: embedded ...)

[Keith Brown <bahalana@wt.net>]

"John C. Peterson" wrote:

> On Wed, Feb 09, 2000 at 03:33:59PM -0700, D.F.S. wrote:
> > >
> > >    On that note, can I interest someone in "signing up" for this
> > > task? ...snip...
> > > forget, real flying. How about it someone?
> > >
> > I'll do it.
> >
> > There are probably a hundred copies of that data kicking around
> > out there by now.
>
>   There's only about 80 people on linux-aviation. Last word from
> Jim Cloos was about 5-10 downloads or so...
>
> > Only 5 people are grateful or interested enough to cough up a few,
> > and I DO mean a FEW, bucks to help pay for it.
>
> I know Jim does have a list of host names that have ftp-ed the data
> which could be matched with list subscribers. We could send out an
> e-mail to those that have downloaded the data, and lay "a guilt trip"
> on them. But, you people know who you are, so this shouldn't be
> neccessary :^)
>
> >
> > I figure if that is the case we should move to a CO-OP type
> > arrangement. collect the money, and send those people copies.
> > I guess if one of them wants to post for everyone so be it.
> >
>
> Here's two suggestions, you be the judge;
>
>   1) Make the data public, but hold it "hostage" by not even ordering
> it until enough people commit to supporting it with a $20 contribution,
> (or whatever minimum is deemed reasonable).
>
>   2) Limit the data to contributors. We would need to have Jim setup
> an ftp "download" account which requires a password to login. You could
> then e-mail the password to contributors after you receive their money.
>
> John

Look, for what it's worth, I, Keith Brown, downloaded a complete copy of the
data. I did it both out of a sense of curiosity, and with an eye towards
possibly creating some public domain tools to use the data. I doubt anything
will ever come of it, but if it does, I will give whatever I develop back to
the community. I have no intention of contributing to or buying a subscription
myself because I would leave that to the users of my tools to obtain current
data, and I am hardly in a financial position to contribute money for
something I may never use.

My understanding was that an individual obtained the data on his own and out
of the kindness of his heart, offered to distribute it to those interested if
someone would step up and provide the network resources. Another individual
did so offer, and the announcement was made. Therefore, I took this as a
charitable gesture and availed myself of it. I take this opportunity and this
forum to publicly thank them.

Now, I have no problem with an honest solicitation of contributions to keep
the data current, and if these contributions are not forthcoming, and the data
goes stale or disappears, well then so be it. But when people on this list
start talking about revealing the identities of downloaders to extort them, or
e-mailing guilt trips for downloading what was supposedly freely given, then
maybe they need to step back and take a look at what their motivations really
are.

Need I say more?



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