A STATEMENT FROM THE EXEC-PC BBS CONCERNING THE RECENT SEA VS PKWARE SUIT

This entire statement was authored by and is the opinion of Bob Mahoney.

When SEA came out with the ARC format, I banned it from the Exec-PC BBS
because the arcing and unarcing programs from SEA were too darn slow.  As
soon as PKware released the super fast PKXARC and PKARC programs, I approved
the ARC format for the Exec-PC BBS because processing the arc file format
on the typical computer of the time (4.77 mhz PC) was no longer a test
of user endurance and patience.  The speed of the PKware products made the
arc format a valid format.

Now that the SEA vs PKware suit has confused all of us, angered many of
us, and has brought the issue to the forefront, it is time for some decisions.

Exec-PC has decided the following:  As soon as PKware brings out a new
format for creating crunched/squeezed/squashed/packed/tramped collections
of files, that new format will be used for ALL files on the Exec-PC BBS.
At last count Exec-PC had more than 16,000 files online in the arc format.

Many sysops are nervous about the amount of work required to convert to
a new format.  I don't understand what the problem is.  A simple batch file
can be created for unarcing all the old files, then rePAKing them into the
new format.

SUMMARY:  Watch for the new file compression format on Exec-PC.
The simple evolutionary process that brought us the SQUEEZED file, then
the LBR file, then the arc file will soon take one more predictable step.
SEA has left their mark, but the nagging embarrassment of threats and
lawsuits has given the market a reason to evolve to the next level of file
compresssion sooner than expected.

Bob Mahoney  Exec-PC multi-user BBS  414-964-5160     8/29/88