Hello, I'm working with T.J. Mather on updating Geo::PostalCode. One of the things we're looking at is how to manage the ZIP code database that's necessary for its operation. I've proposed creating a Geo::PostalCode::US module as a very simple subclass of Geo::PostalCode, and bundling the ZIP code data with that module. The data is 1.3MB uncompressed, and compressed the entire module is about 480K. We have some concerns this may be frowned on, however, so I thought I'd get some feedback here.
The advantages of having the data on CPAN is that the entire module is self-sufficient and widely mirrored. It makes it much easier to install, and if you have a CPAN distribution on CD or in a local mirror, you have everything you need. The disadvantage is that it takes up 480K on every single CPAN mirror. Are there other modules that do this? Is there a consensus on what's appropriate? And what are the list members opinions on the matter? Thanks! -----ScottG.
