Jan 21, 2008

The default media for MXG Software is:  NONE.

MXG Software is only available via electronic delivery via ftp transfer and
is not shipped on media.

We have not created tapes since 2004, and have not been required to create
but one CD last year.

If you truly cannot get permision to ftp a single 20MB tersed/zipped 
text file, and can't get your network administrator to do it for you,
we will, with great reluctance, stop software support and development
to create, label, package, ship, and pay for shipment of a CD-ROM
just for you.


The below text is no longer valid, but is kept for historic significance.


March 24, 2004.

I am changing the default media for MXG Software Shipments from 3480
tape cart (which contains a single 120MB EBCDIC text file), to CD-ROM
(containing that same EBCDIC file: you upload-as-binary to "MVS", read
it with IEBUPDTE, and create your MXG SOURCLIB PDS).  And the CD-ROM has
the MXG ASCII Source directory, so for ASCII MXG execution, or to view
the MXG source on your workstation, you just copy the CD-ROM to disk.

However, still better, is for you to ftp download MXG, as there is NO
shipment delay.  The EBCDIC ftp download takes 12 minutes on a T1/DSL at
1.44Mbit, less than 6 minutes to a mainframe, and the worst case for the
upload to z/OS is also about 12 minutes, on a congested 10Mbit LAN.
The IEBUPDTE to create the Sourclib PDS from upload takes 3 minites.
  And for ASCII without EBCDIC, the zipped 16MB ASCII Source directory
  takes less than 2 minutes to download, and about the same to unzip!

And, however, if it is simply impossible for you to receive via ftp and
for you to receive a CD-ROM, I will continue to send 3480-tapes until
your site can upgrade its technology and media support.

Request ftp or CD or cart at    http://www.mxg.com/ship_current_version.

Problems solved by CD-ROM:

- Firewall issues that prevent ftp download, internet restrictions.
    You really should deal with this internal issue, and get download
    access to our ftp site (text-only-files!), saving you shipment-wait
    time, and saving me from creating, packaging and sending a package.
- Onerous Tape Mount Procedures, including Security and LABEL=NL issues
    One site's "IEBUPDTE" job was cancelled after 17 hours,
    because the tape librarian had copied the NL tape to an
    Standard Label tape, but changed BLKSIZE from 32720 to 80!
    When correct 32720 blocksize was used, the job took 1 minute.
- Rare tape read errors, causing additional delays.
    The annual shipment outsourcer's old 3480/3490 drives sent out
    three carts with DCK (Data Checks) and two blank carts (NCA error).
      The 3480's created the rest of the year on my Overland 3480s
      have never caused a Data Check, but I have carelessly sent out
      one or two blanks every year.  But Overland no longer supports
      the 10-loader, so I only have the single-loader as backup for
      eventual failure!
- Cannot create 3590 media.  Overland doesn't manufacture one; even
    if they did, I'd never buy one, with ftp and CD-ROM alternatives.
- Character translation - none.  CD-ROM has both EBCDIC and ASCII files.
- Shipment advantages.
   - Annual Shipment outsourcer is really primarily a CD maker/shipper
   - Thinner Package, CD much cheaper than 3480 cart (unless you buy
       from e-Bay, but those may be "lifted" new tapes)
   - Customs advantage - no hassles on CDs containing printed matter,
       but cart's have caused custom's delays in some countries.

Potential Problems
- Scratched CD.  Every CD-ROM with data has been read without error.
- Blank CD.  Like carts, I screw up; I have sent 4 blanks in 4 years.
    - I package CDs inside a thin jewel case, wrapped in an envelope
      in a White Stayflat shipping envelope.  One user sent back the
      envelope with a tire-print from a fork-lift, and the shattered
      jewel case, but the CD had been read without a problem.
- Eliminates opportunity to meet/date the tape librarian and tape apes.