UKTeX V88 #22       Friday  15 July 1988

                               unix tex tape
                            TeX2.9 on UNIX SysV
                            Re:  UKTeX V88 #21
                               TiB vs BiBTeX
                   re: Crashing LaserWriter (UKTeX21.88)
                          TEX and device drivers
                               File transfer
                        Postscript symbiont for VMS
                            Re:  UKTeX V88 #20
                                 TeX2.9(2)
                                ctex on VAX
                            Aston TeX database
---------------------------------
Editor Peter Abbott


We have been without the mail system for two days whilst the two DEC discs 
were replaced with a single (larger capacity) drive. During the startup 
period some messages may have been delivered to the `black hole'. Please 
resubmit if necessary.

Files updated for TeX 2.93 are

trip.tex in public.texvms.tex.trip
        and public.unix.tex82.ctex.trip

trap.mf  in public.mffiles
        and public.unix.mf84.cmf.trap

Also in public.texstatus two files from Barbara Beeton

        message_006.09_jul_1988
        message_007.10_jul_1988


Latest TeXhax in the Archive is #63
Latest TeXmag in the Archive is V2N4
---------------------------------

From:    David Brightly <WC@UK.AC.DARESBURY.NNGA>
To:      abbott @ aston
Date:    Fri, 8 Jul 88 18:49 GMT
Subject: unix tex tape
Message-Id: <08 JUL 1988 19:21:37 WC@UK.AC.DARESBURY.NNGA>
Comments: hi peter
          it occurs to me that potential customers of your tape
          copying service might  like to know what theyre getting!
          my impression is that you dont have the facilities to un tar the tape,
          so here's the top level README file.
                

The following directories should be present:
        compress - from Usenet
        undump - from Usenet
        VAXbinaries and SUNbinaries - some binaries for those who take
                the risk of using other peoples binaries rather than
                compiling from source.  No guarantee that they are up
                to date.
        tex82 - the TeX82 distribution
        babel - the start of some foreign language stuff
        mf84 - WEB Metafont for Unix
        utilityfonts - mf source for various METAFONT operations
        cmfonts - mf source, tfms, pl, some gf and a little pxl
        LaTeXfonts - the same for the special LaTeXfonts (no pxl, however)
        amsfonts - Cyrillic and new math symbols from the
                American Mathematical Society, compiled with old Metafont
                and converted to gf.
                Also gf files, tfm files for the Euler fonts.


+++Editor - We do have DECshell and a copy of the tape has been added to 
the archive under [public.unix] but this listing does make it simple to 
find out what is available +++
---------------------------------

Date:  8 Jul 88 19:40:47 BST (Fri)
Message-Id: <8807081940.Ag16169@uk.ac.stir.cs>
X-Mailer: Ag [V1.0-Alpha]
From: Sam Nelson <sam@uk.ac.stir.cs>
To: info-tex@aston.mail
Subject: TeX2.9 on UNIX SysV

I chickened out of the `big pull' from Aston and sent Don Ward a cartridge
(thanks again Don).  Build completed trouble-free on Suns, but still a
problem with the interpreter's switch statement on AT&T 3Bs (must get the
new compiler...).  If anyone's interested/hasn't figured the problem out for
themselves, there are too many labels (300) in the switch statement in tex8.c.
I had the same problem with Pat Monardo's stuff last year.  Unfortunately in
the TeX2.9 case, tex8.c is a web2c-generated file, so it really needs a
mechanical fix rather than the semi-mechanical procedure I'm using at
present.  When I figure one out, either I'll post it here, or it'll be so far
down the road that no-one will have the 3.X AT&T C compiler any more.

Sam.

PS:  Is it only me that thinks the TeX distribution is getting too large
     for comfort these days?  The compilation, etc. time is pretty trivial
     compared to the disk admin time, I'm finding...

---------------------------------

Date:     Sun, 10 Jul 88 20:57:39 GMT
From: Sebastian Rahtz <spqr@uk.ac.soton.cm>
To: ABBOTTP@uk.ac.aston
Subject:  Re:  UKTeX V88 #21

I have clashed with Philip Taylor before about LaTeX, but I cannot resist
a reply to his anti-LaTeX message
  > First, let me state my biases: I dislike LaTeX, and think TeX superb.
  > Now, facts: LaTeX is a `higher-level' language which sites on top of
  > TeX; it is, in fact, a `format', in Knuth's sense of the word.  I am
  > told that it is much simpler for naive users to use.  In practise,
  > it sits not only on top of TeX {\it qua} TeX, but also on top of
  > a (modified version of) Plain.TeX, which is Knuth's own medium-level
  > `format'.  Because Plain has been modified to make Lplain, one can
I think that Philip, like many people, assumes that 'plain.tex' is somehow 
sacrosanct because we all have it; I would contend that Knuth wrote
plain as a demonstration of what could be done, not a bible. 'lplain'
is as valid as 'plain' in that someone with TeX (the REAL TeX, not TeX
with plain preloaded) will be able to run it.
 > never assume that something which works in plain TeX will also work
  > unchanged in LaTeX; it is better to think of LaTeX as a separate language,
  > and never mix the two.  Style-file designers are not allowed this luxury;
true. but anything that is in TeX without a format preloaded will work
in TeX. Because macros that Knuth defined in plain don't work when you
load 'lplain' and 'latex.tex' is not a criticism of lplain.

  > they really do have to be gurus, conversant with both TeX and LaTeX.
dont tell me that casual punters can write macros in plain TeX any
more that they can in LaTeX. serious work demands a guru whatever
happens
  > Leslie L. makes it plain that anyone thinking of writing (or modifying)
  > a style-file should be prepared to wade through realms of LaTeX source.
quite right too! do you want to amend something you haven't read and
understood?
  > 
  > In practice, I do not believe that there is anything one can do in LaTeX
  > which cannot also be done in TeX (with the exception of the pictures
well thats obvious, they have the same base (basic TeX)!. The pictures
are just a sophisticated use of TeX macros

  > which LaTeX permits through its extended graphics fonts); the converse
TeX *per se* does NOT define fonts. This myth that 'normal' TeX
preloads CMR should be exploded once and for all. CMR is a nasty
American typeface which Knuth unfortunately tied into 'plain.tex'.
Lets all forget it as soon as possible and use decent fonts.
  > I believe to be probably true: that one can do some things in TeX which
  > one cannot do in LaTeX (or perhaps, which one can do in TeX easily,
  > and only with extreme difficulty in LaTeX).  
I really cannot think of anything that cannot be done in LaTeX *be a
qualified practioner* (as in plain TeX). It shouldn't be _easy_ to
change styles!
  > 
  > I also feel that in using LaTeX, one cedes to much control over
  > the layout to the style-file designer; because I believe that layout
do you really want each user to affect a style? what is the point of a
style if it can be changed? LaTeX is for people who *want* to stick to
a style

Now if someone wants to criticise the facilities provided in a basic
'initex' then I will listen.....

---------------------------------

From:    Steve Kille <steve@uk.ac.ucl.cs>
To:      UKTeX@uk.ac.aston
Subject: TiB vs BiBTeX
Date:    Fri, 17 Jun 88 09:42:03 +0100

I am trying to choose between the two of these (currently finding myself
using both).   Two clear issues are:

1) TiB uses a database compatible with refer(1).  This is very useful in the
UNIX world.

2) BiBTeX seems to be more portable.

Has there been any previous discussion on this choice?  Are there any other
issues?  Would anyone care to comment on the quality of output of thw two
systems?

Lamport also notes "facilities available to ease the task of making bib
files".   Does anyone have pointers to such things for UNIX?


Steve

+++Editor - This is the first time I have seen this one so it must be one 
of those that our system posted to the `black hole' +++
---------------------------------

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From: jonradel < (Jon Radel)jonradel%edu.princeton.icecream@edu.princeton>
Message-Id: <8807100647.AA03760@icecream.Princeton.EDU>
To: info-tex@uk.ac.aston, l.whitaker@uk.ac.city.cs
Subject: re: Crashing LaserWriter (UKTeX21.88)

Sounds like you're using a method of getting the PostScript files to 
the printer that doesn't follow the file with a ^D.  This is the 
end-of-job marker in PostScript and, indeed, one of its effects is to 
clear out virtual memory.  As you've noticed, the printer will in 
effect insert its own ^D after a certain idle period.
 
My suggestions in order of elegance and reverse order of ease:
 
1) Get a "real" device driver, spooler, what-have-you, that knows 
enough about PostScript to seperate jobs with a ^D.  I know nothing 
about UNIX (I assume this is what you're running) printer resources, 
so I can't help you on this.
 
2) Get dvi2ps to insert a ^D at the end of the file to be printed.
 
3) Get dvi2ps to insert a ^D at the beginning of the preamble; there 
are some circumstances where this will cause problems for the 
printer, because, if I remember correctly, there is a short period 
after the ^D where to printer doesn't want to communicate.
 
--Jon Radel
jonradel@icecream.princeton.edu
jonradel%icecream.princeton.edu@princeton.edu

---------------------------------

Date:           12-JUL-1988 14:30:09 GMT
From:           CNBS09@UK.AC.STRATHCLYDE.VAXA
To:             abbottp@UK.AC.ASTON

To: abbotp @ aston
From: cnbs09 @ strath.vaxa (Paul McAlinden 041-552 4400 x 2499 )
Subject: TEX and device drivers

I should be grateful if you could provide me with copies of the
latest versions of the above.

Our configuration is a VAX/11 750 under VMS 4.4, with an
HP laserjet + for output.

We also have a Benson plotter - exact model no. unknown, 
do you know of any drivers for this.

Thanking you in anticipation.

+++Editor - The archive occupies 2 reels of 2400' tape at 6250bpi in backup 
format and the working vms copy of TeX at Aston is another reel. FTP is 
available for files from the archive on Spock user PUBLIC password PUBLIC. 
There is no interactive access at present. Mail access to 
texserver@aston.spock (or edinburgh) are other access routes. +++ 
---------------------------------

Date:           12-JUL-1988 14:54:22 GMT  
From:           REEDA@UK.AC.BHAM.VAX1
To:             ABBOTT@UK.AC.ASTON

The following was produced as a responce to an FTP request for a file from
the tex archive. Can you assist please?
alan reed
021 414 4750
From:   FTP_Manager 12-JUL-1988 14:50
To:     REEDA       
Subj:   File transfer

File transfer 9635 completed 
Status %FTPB80-W-RNEGRCV, transfer rejected by remote server
Information :
VAX/VMS FTP (80) Version 4.2-3
Invalid value in command:  
invalid attribute - filename "[PUBLIC.TEXVMS.TEX.LN_FONTS]CMS6.896PK".
File open failure reason - directory not found.
VAX/VMS FTP (80) Version 4.3a.
Remote sitename UK.AC.ASTON.SPOCK
Local filename ACC$CCCIU:[REEDA.ASTON-PUBLIC.TEXVMS]CMS6.896PK;
Remote filename [PUBLIC.TEXVMS.TEX.LN_FONTS]CMS6.896PK

+++Editor - This is a common problem and is included to help others. If you 
ftp a copy of [public]000directory.list you will find the correct 
directory.  the .896pk files can be found in [public.fonts.ln_fonts] +++
---------------------------------

Date:     Tue, 12 Jul 88 14:58:30 BST
From:     Ian Moor <iwm@uk.ac.ic.doc>
To:       tex-info@uk.ac.aston.mail
Subject:  Postscript symbiont for VMS
Message-ID:  <8807121458.aa17504@ivax.doc.ic.ac.uk>

Before we converted to Unix, we used to run a symbiont on our Vax,
I still have the C sources, the copyright notice indicates they may be
distributed. The symbiont ran o.k. on VMS 4.5, I modified it to allow
the laserwriter to be switched between RS232 and appletalk between jobs.
Any output from the laserwriter (postscript errors) is mailed back to the 
user at the end of the job. 
I can mail the sources to individuals or the archive if you prefer.
       Ian Moor

+++Editor - We would like a copy for use at Aston and I can include it in 
the archive for general use. Please send the files. +++
---------------------------------

Received: 
Date:     Wed, 13 Jul 88 12:04:23 GMT
From: Sebastian Rahtz <spqr@uk.ac.soton.cm>
To: ABBOTTP@uk.ac.aston
Subject:  Re:  UKTeX V88 #20

I had a few queries about Morgan's web2c translator, and I append his
replies. It looks as if it would be worth getting a new copy - could
you ftp it, and let me know when you get it? 

+++Editor - Not before TeX88. Has anyone else ftp'ed this files already? If 
so please let me know +++

thanks

sebastian
--------------------------------------

You can anonymous ftp the latest version from host ics.uci.edu.
Take "pub/web2c_*" (3 files) using binary mode, then uncompress and
untar them.  There's also a file web.tar.Z which contains the .web
source files.  I've just received mail that Knuth has made yet
another change to TeX.  It was already on version 2.93; this brings
it up to 2.93a (for some reason he didn't want to change the minor
version number, even though his change causes the output from
the trip test to change slightly---I don't know why).  I have
yet to incorporate this latest change into my distribution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Both of the problems you have encountered have been fixed in the
current release (2.17).  Here are the fixes for the specific
problems you encountered:
 
a) The TEXINPUTS environment variable is fossilized after an 'undump'
   (though it works normally with a 'virtex');
 
Move the location of the call to setpaths() in itex.c to BEFORE the
line
 
  if ( readyalready == 314159L ) goto lab1 ;
 
instead of after.  Actually, this change should be made in the file ctex.ch;
the above refers to the generated C code.
 
b) The 'web2c' program fails with a 'Syntax error' when converting Metafont.
 
This is a bug in web2c.yacc.  Make the following change:
 
------------------------------Output from diff--------------------------------
362c362,364
<                               {sym_table[last_type].var_not_needed = TRUE;}
---
>                               { if (last_type != -1)
>                                 sym_table[last_type].var_not_needed = TRUE;
>                               }
365c367,369
<                               {sym_table[last_type].var_not_needed = TRUE;}
---
>                               { if (last_type != -1)
>                                 sym_table[last_type].var_not_needed = TRUE;
>                               }
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Feel free to send me any other questions or problems.  I'm appending
a list of all the changes which have been made since release 2.0.
 
Tim
 
 
Changes since release 2.0
---------------------------------
 
Release 2.1:
 
1.  Added a line to cmf.ch to increase max_in_open from 6 to 15.
2.  Touched tangle.c etc. so that make wouldn't thinnk it needed to be remade.
3.  Fixed a bug in dvityext.c which declared cp as char ** instead of char *.
4.  Changed the makefile and instructions slightly to make it clearer
    how to compile tangle without having a running tangle available.
5.  Made the default for Metafont be no windowing support or libraries,
    for maximum portability.
 
Release 2.2 [originally 2.2.1]:
 
1.  Added a case to fixwrites for the character string "','", to fix
    a problem in converting BibTeX. [EKrell]
2.  Fixed problem in fixwrites with \" embedded in strings. [EKrell]
3.  Changed path initialization logic in TeX: if an environment
    variable is present, use it.  Otherwise, if an envar was set
    when TeX was undumped, use that value.  Otherwise, use the
    default value specified in "site.h".  Metafont already worked
    that way, so it didn't change. [bug discovered by EKrell]
4.  Added experimental program fmtdump.
 
Release 2.3 [originally 2.2.2]:
 
1.  Fixed a bug in web2c.yacc which could index an array using
    negative subscripts. [Leonard Zubkoff]
2.  Fixed an unsigned arithmetic problem in tangle.  Contemplated
    rewriting web2c to handle expressions correctly in all cases.
3.  Added yet another patch to fixwrites (again, for bibtex, and
    discovered by EKrell).  Again contemplated rewriting web2c.
    Maybe next month...
 
Release 2.4 [originally 2.2.3]:
 
1.  Fixed a bug in fixwrites which caused it to introduce newlines
    after '{' characters in quoted strings.
 
Release 2.5:
 
1.  Changed release numbering scheme :-) to major number + generation
    number (e.g., 2.5).
2.  Added Pierre's SITEDIR changes to the make files.
3.  Added beta release of BibTeX in C.
 
Release 2.6:
 
1.  Installed the fixed tangle.c in the distribution area (with the toint()
    fix).
2.  Added Apollo to the list of successful ports in the README file.
3.  Added to the main Makefile so that CFLAGS could be set there and
    inherited by the subordinate Makefiles.
4.  Added patches to web2c.{lex,yacc} to support Pascal pointers [ekrell],
    in preparation for MFware programs.
 
Release 2.7:
 
1.  Added SITEDIR stuff to top-level Makefile.
2.  Added fix for another casting bug which (mostly) affected only C
    compilers with 16-bit int's.
 
Release 2.8:
 
1.  calledit() was invoking the editor without closing the files first.
    On some operating systems, this could be problematic, so I
    added a loop to close all the inputfile[]'s first.  Changes for both
    TeX and MF.
2.  Tftopl needed to use the testeof() routine instead of simply feof
    to test for end of file.  I changed the eof() macro in texware/web2c.h
    to use (and define) test_eof().  Since test_eof() calls feof() first,
    it should be backwards compatible.
3.  Improved make file for ctex and cmf.  It creates more .o files, but
    less recompiling and relinking is now done.
4.  Replaced input_ln in Metafont with the hand-coded C version from TeX.
    This fixed a bug which could cause MF sometimes to require two newlines
    instead of one.  Presumably, this also speeded MF up slightly.
5.  Added veryclean entry to top-level Makefile.
 
Release 2.9:
 
1.  Fixed a major bug in my new makefile for initex/virtex.
 
Release 2.10:
 
1.  Fixed a minor bug in the makefile for inimf.  Also, changed the
    CFLAGS and LDFLAGS to make a production version instead of a
    debugging version.
2.  Changed TeX's buf_size to 2000 instead of 500, at the suggestion of
    a site where users have exceeded the 500 value (!).
3.  Changed TeX to look for the LAST "." in a file name instead of the
    first for purposes of generating the \jobname (and thus, the
    dvi and log file names).  For example, "my.file.tex" would produce
    "my.file.dvi" instead of "my.dvi".
 
Release 2.11:
 
1.  Add $(WLIBS) to virmf: line in MF makefile.
 
Release 2.12:
 
1.  Fixed LDFLAGS in bibtex/Makefile to be -s instead of -O. [Leonard Zubkoff]
2.  You no longer have to uncomment-out the regfix line in the convert
    script for TeX.  Instead, you set another flag (REGFIX) in the
    site.h file. [Leonard Zubkoff]
3.  Fixed declaration of sprintf() for SysV in splitup.c; made splitup depend
    on ../site.h in the Makefile. [dean@cs.wisc.edu]
4.  Fixed similar declaration problem in web2cdir/web2c.h. [dean@cs.wisc.edu]
5.  Changed references to "cc" to "$(CC)" in all Makefiles. [dean@cs.wisc.edu]
6.  Removed a unnecessary "#undef SYSV" in texware/tanext.c. [dean@cs.wisc.edu]
7.  Changed all csh scripts to use sh instead. [dean@cs.wisc.edu]
8.  Change remaining references in the makefiles to "rm" to $(RM), adding
    a definition where necessary.
9.  Added dvitype to the defaults for the texware Makefile, since it's
    needed for the trip test.
 
Release 2.13:
 
1.  Removed declarations of strcpy(), etc., and replaced them with
    #include <strings.h> (string.h on BSD systems).
2.  Changed around the way that SITEDIR works, adding -I$(SITEDIR) to
    the makefiles.  All programs now simply include "site.h", and rely
    on the -I<directory> to determine which site.h is included.
3.  Fixed a bug in bibtex.ch which caused problems when including
    some auxilliary files. [Tom Rokicki]
 
Release 2.14:
 
1.  Changed the SITEDIR handling for the MFlib/ subdirectory slightly,
    so that SITEDIR itself is used consistently in all the Makefiles.
    Now, the MFlib/Makefile refers to ../${SITEDIR}.
2.  Fixed OPT (was OPTIM) make variable in cmf/MFlib/Makefile.
    [Leonard Zubkoff]
 
Release 2.15:
 
1.  Added some comments in README about clearterminal() and wakeupterminal(),
    for those porting TeX to other environments.
2.  Fix the <string.h> vs. <strings.h> mixup I introduced in 2.13.
 
Release 2.16:
 
1.  Change clearterminal() to use TIOCFLUSH ioctl for BSD environments
    in ctex/extra.c. [Joe Ramey]
2.  Fixed a couple of declarations which were "char" but should have
    been "schar" in texware/weavext.c. [Dennis Page]
3.  Removed spurrious #define BSD and #undef SYSV's from cmf/mfext.c.
    [Dennis Page]
4.  Fixed some more declarations of sprintf() for SYSV compilation
    (declaration as int * instead of char * if SYSV is #define'd).
    I don't know if there are still problems on (some?) SysV.3 machines
    which declare sprintf() in <stdio.h>.  [Dennis Page]
5.  Added a conditional for the execution of ranlib when building
    mflib.a: check to see if /bin/ranlib exists before trying to
    execute it.  [Dennis Page]
6.  Updated texdir/ctex.ch for tex.web version 2.93.  Also, changed
    |make_name_string| so it didn't call |str_room|, per Knuth's
    directions.
7.  Upgraded to mf.web version 1.5.
8.  Retested the entire distribution in both AT&T and Berkeley environments.
9.  Changed the type of zinputln() in cmf/mfext.c to be nothing (i.e., int),
    since it isn't typed in the other modules. [lint]
10. Changed the definition of bwritebyte in cmf/mf.h to cast the first
    argument of the putc() to (char). [lint]
11. Added a (void) cast to the one call to putc() in cmf/mfdisplay.c. [lint]
12. [not a fix] Two known minor bugs in bibtex remain, but it should be fixed
    soon.  One bug is that when given the name of a non-existent file,
    bibtex may go into an infinite loop.  The other only applies if
    the type schar is not char.
 
Release 2.17:
 
1.  It is now recommended for most 32-bit systems that a 32-bit version
    of TeX be built, and that preloaded versions of TeX not be made.
    See the README file for details.
2.  To this end, ctex/extra.c has been modified so that virtex will
    attempt to load "&<program_name>" automatically.  So, for example,
    make a link from virtex to "latex", and from lplain.fmt to latex.fmt,
    and users can just run the command "latex" and virtex will automatically
    load latex.fmt.  [Ken Yap]
3.  Patch files to build a big (32-bit) TeX and also XeT-TeX are now
    included in the distribution.  See the file README.PATCHES for
    details.  [Pierre MacKay]

---------------------------------

Date: Thu, 14 Jul 88 12:43:33 BST
From: David Barfoot <DTB10@UK.AC.CAM.PHX>
To:   AbbottP@UK.AC.ASTON
Subject: TeX2.9(2)
Message-ID: <9ED03FEEF5F59A70@UK.AC.CAM.PHX>

I've hunted around SPOCK for v2.9 TEX.WEB, but all I can find is v2.0.
Where can I find v2.9 and the changes for v2.92 (as advertized in UKTeX) ?

Thanks,

dB

+++Editor -

Directory [PUBLIC.TEX]

TEX2V9_2V92.UPDATE;1                    TEXMFWEBPLAIN.UPDATE;2

Total of 2 files.

+++

---------------------------------

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Date: Thu, 14 Jul 88 17:34:36 GMT
From: David Shepherd <des@uucp.inmos>
Message-Id: <8807141734.AA14800@inmos.uucp>
To: info-tex@uk.ac.aston.mail
Subject: ctex on VAX


I've just got ctex to run on one of our VAXes here at INMOS and found that
it doesn't run at the advertised twice as fast as pascal speed! I expect
that this is being caused by IO problems as VAXes have the capability of doing
IO very slowly if you're not careful. Has anyone got ctex to interface with
the IO requirements of VMS properly ? In particular, has anyone rewritten
fmt.c as loading the state is *very* slow. I would like to avoid repeating
work that is available somewhere else as I'm not really meant to spend my
time hacking around with TeX sources here (so a hack TeX occasionally, I can
handle it, I could give it up ...... if I wanted to).

David Shepherd
inmos ltd.

PS ctex also compiles for the transputer and, once you've got the information,
across PC bus into a B004, it runs pretty fast.


---------------------------------

Date:           15-JUL-1988 11:19:07 GMT
From:           JM@UK.AC.RL.STAR
To:             abbottp@UK.AC.ASTON

     I would first like to say that I do enjoy TeXmag and have often found
it useful. At the moment I am interested in generating an index with LaTeX
and as you may know LaTeX dosen't do all the work for you - the LaTeX book
advises you that a supplementary program is necessary. I thought the
directory [PUBLIC.TEXVMS.TEX.IDX_GLO] advertised in your MAIL message
distributed on May 20th looked a promising source for such a program. I
tried to copy the files to my own directory using TRANSFER/CODE=FAST. When
prompted for a username and password, I tried First NETUSR in response to
both and then PUBLIC, but in each case these were rejected. Can you tell me
how I can copy this directory? 

                   thank you,

                      Jo Murray

+++Editor - I suspect you were trying to ftp the files from aston (where 
the digest comes from). The address of the archive is aston.spock  The 
username is PUBLIC and password PUBLIC +++

---------------------------------

Date:           15-JUL-1988 12:40:53
From:           PHILIP@UK.AC.BBK.CU
To:             ABBOTTP@UK.AC.ASTON.MAIL
Subject:        Aston TeX database

I would like to use the TeX database at Aston. Could you let me have the
names of any 'introductory' files in [PUBLIC] that explain how your system
works. I am used to the KERMIT and MICROS services at Lancaster and I
assume your system is similar. 

Thanks,

        Philip Riebold
        Central Computing Services
        Birkbeck College
        Malet Street
        London WC1E 7HX

        PHILIP@BBK.CU

+++Editor - We do not have kermit access to the archive only ftp and mail. 
Details of access are contained in the file listed below which you should 
`ftp' from aston.spock   +++

---------------------------------
!!
!!   Files of interest [public]000aston.readme
!!                     [public]000directory.list
!!                     [public]000directory_dates.list
!!                     [public]000directory.size
!!
!! Editor - I have a tape labelled TeX 2.9 LaTeX 2.09 Metafont 1.3
!! Unix 4.2/3BSD VAX SUN 2/3 Pyramid Seqeunt SYS V: 3B2 Tar 1600 bpi blocked 
!! 20 1 file dated 26 may 1988 (from washington.edu).
!!
!! I have the facilty to copy this tape for anyone who sends the following
!!
!! 1 2400 tape with return labels AND RETURN postage.
!!
!! Send to
!!
!! P Abbott
!! Computing Service
!! Aston University
!! Aston Triangle
!! Birmingham B4 7ET
!!
!!
!!  Replies/submissions to            info-tex@uk.ac.aston   please
!!  distribution changes to   info-tex-request@uk.ac.aston   please 
!! 
!!   end of issue