****************************************************** * * * * * File server facilities for BIOMCH-L@HEARN * * * * * ****************************************************** Under the facilities of LISTSERV@HEARN.EARN (and of many other LISTSERVers), it is possible to send requests of the form SEND fn ft list where 'fn' is a filename, 'ft' a file type (or file extension), and the optional parameter 'list' the name of a distribution list such as BIOMCH-L. Using 'ft' = PACKAGE, a complete package of related files can be requested. If 'list' is omitted, search for the named file(s) occurs through all sublibraries, starting from the 'root' library of LISTSERV@HEARN. In the context of BIOMCH-L, one might think of subroutines or complete packages for, e.g., signal processing and finite element analysis, and of normative data on body geometry, healthy and pathological movement, etc. Files are indexed in a file BIOMCH-L FILELIST which can be retrieved from LISTSERV@HEARN with the request INDEX BIOMCH-L. Names for files are unique for the sublibrary BIOMCH-L in LISTSERV@HEARN, and the system manager at HEARN has kindly provided (on a tentative basis) up to 1 MB in disk space without costs. However, there is no guarantee that such a service will be maintained indefinitely. Note that a limited storage of 1 MB precludes medical imaging data (CAT scans by X-Ray or MRI), while tabular data on body geometry and movement are acceptable. It is regrettably necessary in a time that software means `big money' to ensure that `fair play' is entertained in fileserver use; we are sorry for the somewhat dreary set of rules listed below: (1) Files can be submitted to an owner or editor of BIOMCH-L, as identified in the list header which can be retrieved from LISTSERV@HEARN by sending the request REVIEW BIOMCH-L (SHORT. Storage of submitted files is at the discretion of the list-owners and/or editors, subject to (at least) the following `fair play' rules: (2) Only alphanumeric files will be accomodated, and they should be relevant for the target domain of BIOMCH-L. By not accomodating object or execu- table code, it will be easier to avoid problems with computer viruses etc., while verification, improvement and (local) adaptation of existing material will be facilitated. (3) Data (including source code) must be sufficiently 'self-contained', AND they must have been described in the academic literature (this includes papers that have been accepted for publication); references to such publications must be provided. Source code must be provided with a simple testprogramme and testdata, unless such testing material is already avail- able in the BIOMCH-L sublibrary, or unless testing is trivial. Source code may rely on routines in generally available software libraries (NAG, IMSL), without the need to include those licenced routines. (4) In order to enhance the utility of BIOMCH-L as a discussion forum, file access (except for the INFO and LOG files) will be for the BIOMCH-L membership only. Anyone interested in BIOMCH-L data can subscribe to the list so as to facilitate discussions about the sublibrary's contents. New items accepted for storage ought to be announced on BIOMCH-L by the submitter; additional forums such as the Software Survey Section of the Journal of Biomechanics are recommended. (5) Submission of a file implies authorization for distribution and use within the constraints of "fair use / fair dealing" under Anglo-American law (e.g., US Copyright Act Section 107; UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act Section 29 and 30), according to which (UK): `fair dealing with a work or an other work for the purpose of review or criticism of the work does not constitute copyright infringement'. Also personal and (inter)institutional, routine `use' must be allowed. This includes use in a contract-research context, but not sales of the data as a product; however, providing the data as an insubstantial part of a service to a contract party must be allowed, in view of the increasing amount of contract research in university environments. Republication of the complete data in a (semi)public forum such as an academic journal or a wide-area net- work like EARN/BITNET/NETNORTH is not allowed without authorization of the copyright owner(s). Note, however, that academic publication of improve- ments might warrant quoting some, most, or even all original material, and this may be acceptable under the "fair dealing" doctrine; to be on the safe side, it is advisable to seek proper authorization. Since such republica- tion may affect the reputation of the original author(s), not only the copy- right holders' consent, but also the true authors' consent (if known and different from the copyright holders) should be sought. (6) The human author(s) and, if different from these true author(s), the copy- right holder(s) must be identified in the data. The person who submits the data must provide his name and postal and/or email address, and his tele- phone and/or a FAX number would be helpful. Telephone and FAX numbers may be kept confidential if so desired; however, it is in the authors' and copyright holders' own interest that they are accessible for feedback, questions, criticism, etc., especially if comments on their material are to be published. The submitter will be deemed to be entitled to submit the data, but (s)he may be asked to provide additional assurance; in this way, the list-owners, editors, and management of LISTSERV@HEARN will be indemni- fied against claims on intellectual property infringement. (7) CAVEAT EMPTOR: while the list-owners and editors will excercise all reasonable care in judging and accomodating any data submitted to them, no liability is accepted for any errors (in)directly caused by any data obtained from the sublibrary. Nor is such liability accepted by the LISTSERVer management staff, considering the costless nature of the proposed service. These rules may be revised if deemed necessary. BIOMCH-L is an open list, onto which everyone can subscribe and post. For the file distribution service, an editorial function will be necessary, and the list moderators would be grateful for any assistance from the BIOMCH-L readership in this respect. Herman J. Woltring Moderator for biomch-l@hearn.earn 14 June 1989 (revised 26 February 1990) ----------------------------------- This file can be retrieved by sending the request SEND BIOMCH-L INFO BIOMCH-L to LISTSERV@HEARN.EARN (or .BITNET).