>     XML zipped nodelists are approx 30% _larger_; I do
 > not know if this is due to the tags (which are needed
 > in order xml will work) or to a less efficient zip
 > library caused by those tags.

    With the present FidoNet Policy document (4.07) that is going to be a
problem. As things stand the only approvable changes are those which reduce
the size of the nodelist and therefore the cost of distribution.

    Would you please confirm that I have interpreted policy correctly? If
so, it would seem that the XML nodelist would have to be distributed by
internet if at all. That brings back the ethical problem of the dime that I
mentioned earlier. I have personally sidestepped that lemma by keeping FTS
and internet entirely separate.

    I note with approval that Scott Little takes public domain source for
granted. I hope his fellow developers share this view.

Best Wishes,
Bill.

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