Date   : Sun, 21 Nov 1982 11:38:00-CST
From   : mknox@Utexas-11
Subject: squeezing MC CPM files

Another vote for NOT squeezing files on MC;CPM...AT THIS TIME.

Reason against:  It has the unfortunate feature of turning text files
into binary files, which a still large number of us are not set up to
handle.  It is already a problem with the .COM files on MC;CPM.  Many
of them need to be .COMs, because of space requirements; but then the
 .HEX unloaded version is needed too, taking up even more space due to
the duplication.  Not to mention needing some kind sole to unload the
files each time.

Possible solution:  A mechanism for performing the UNLOAD function on
the MIT machine.  This would allow the transfer of binary files, both
 .COM and .xSx types, by anyone; in the more efficient binary form  if
the user had the capability, as clear text if not.  An alternate sol-
ution would of course involve UNLOAD programs for the remote sites,
with the advantage of improved ARPANET transmission times, but  would
then require a large and diverse number of such programs.