My VM expertise is stale, and this is the only VM list I read, So:
What is the current vogue for distributing a collection of files
via Internet. What alternatives, and their pros and cons?
o At present, we make available VMFPLCD archives flattened with
COPYFILE PACK.
- Con: slightly cumbersome. Customer can use PIPE to undo
the PACK; is there a VMFPLCD pipeline stage?
o VMARC: widely used, but requires customer to download and
install an unsupported VMARC. Customers may balk at this.
In fact, our own sysprog will install neither VMARC nor the
current Pipelines library distribution for general use (I
have both privately).
o VMARC self-extracting archive:
- Is there any legal liability if it damages the customer's
system?
- Is support available? I'd consider it adequate to have the
source code. I have the VMARC source, circa 1994 (I said
"stale"). Is there a newer available? Where?
o AWSTAPE:
- Supported by Pipelines.
- Cumbersome -- requires customer to create a tape interstage.
Rumor has it that some shops no longer even have tapes.
o We have a home-brew archive format that we've long used to
move files between VM and MVS. It's JES-friendly, which
mattered at one time. It would be easy enough to roll this
into a Rexx-based self-extracting format.
o Other: (specify)
TIA for any suggestions,
gil
