Downloading GEnie files

A thread of 2 messages, 9 February 1990 to 9 February 1990, in the order they were sent.

#958 Downloading GEnie files

John Wilber · 9 February 1990

I've got a few suggestions for getting those GEnie files, which I am
very interested in myself.

One suggestion:  We (this will probably be Jim or somebody with a GEnie
account) talk to GEnie, and ask them if there is some way we could get
the files on some form of magnetic media, such as disk or tape.  If they
wanted to charge us, we have them quote us a price.  Once we have a
price, we quote it, and then us TML "members" make contributions until
the amount is needed.  Then we post the files, and we're all happy.

Suggestion two: We estimate the cost of downloading the files at a given
baud rate.  Hopefully, this will be done at 9600 baud, for the benefit of
the poor soul that will finally do it.  Anyway, once we get a good
estimate, we all make "contributions," and then reimburse some volunteer
for getting them.  Any extra money obtained could go to this volunteer
also, to provide a little incentive, and to compensate for time spent,
phone bills, etc.

If we were to solicit "contributions," I propose that Jim, or some proxy
that he designates, be the "treasurer" for this endeavor.  Reciepts
could be posted on the TML, or privately e-mailed, and the progress of
the kitty could also be periodically posted on the TML.

/***********************************************************************\
* John J. Wilber           * "Im Himmel gibts kein Bier zum trinken wir *
* [email removed]          *  es hier"                  -German Proverb *
* Student, partier, beer   * "In heaven there's no beer, so we might as *
* drinker, fun-loving guy. *  well drink it here"          -Translation *
*************************************************************************
* "I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer"           -The Doors *
\***********************************************************************/


All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: [email removed], or [email removed]
Administrator: [email removed] (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.

#977 Re: Downloading GEnie files

Leonard Erickson · 9 February 1990 · reply to #958

Genie is liable to quote a totally outrageous price for those files. Remember,
selling *access* to them is how they make their money.

Forget 9600 bps. While I only have direct knowledge of Compuserve's setup, I'm
sure GEnie will be the same. You can't get dialup access at rates above 2400.
You have to get a *wired connection* (ie 2 or 4 wire "leased line") to the
nearest node, and use whatever sort of 4800 or 9600 modem they have. (I can
guarantee they aren't Trailblazers, HSTs, or Hayes!) And the rates for that
speed are steep. Say $48/hr for 9600?

Finally, we may have a problem with Genie's compilation copyright on the files.
It ain't legal to download a block of files and offer them to other people! We
may be able to get around this several different ways.

First: if we get permission to distribute the files from the person who wrote
them, Genie can't touch us. (I learrned this when CIS was cracking down on this
sort of thing).

Second: being a "limited group"(hah!) we may get away with it by not generally
distributing the files.

Third: they may never notice...

The first idea is the best. If we have permission, that's the end of it. The
second is pretty iffy. The third is downright dangerous!

All opinions and material above is the responsibility of the originator.
Submissions: [email removed], or [email removed]
Administrator: [email removed] (James Perkins)
The TML is made possible by facilities provided by Tektronix, Inc.