@c For double-sided printing, uncomment:
@c @setchapternewpage odd
@c This date is automagically updated when you save this file:
-@set lastupdate May 1, 2010
+@set lastupdate May 17, 2010
@c %**end of header
@dircategory GNU organization
@node Distribution on ftp.gnu.org
@section Distribution on @code{ftp.gnu.org}
@cindex GNU ftp site
-@cindex @code{ftp.gnu.org}, the GNU ftp site
+@cindex @code{ftp.gnu.org}, the GNU release site
-GNU packages are distributed through directory @file{/gnu} on
-@code{ftp.gnu.org}. Each package should have a subdirectory
-named after the package, and all the distribution files for the package
-should go in that subdirectory.
+GNU packages are distributed through the directory @file{/gnu} on
+@code{ftp.gnu.org}, via both HTTP and FTP. Each package should have a
+subdirectory named after the package, and all the distribution files
+for the package should go in that subdirectory.
@c If you have an interest in seeing the monthly download logs from the FTP
@c site at @code{ftp.gnu.org} for your program, that is something that
@cindex beta releases
@cindex pretest releases
-@cindex @code{alpha.gnu.org}, ftp site for test releases
+@cindex @code{alpha.gnu.org}, test release site
When you release a greatly changed new major version of a program, you
might want to do so as a pretest. This means that you make a tar file,
but send it only to a group of volunteers that you have recruited. (Use
a suitable GNU mailing list/newsgroup to recruit them.)
-We normally use the FTP server @code{alpha.gnu.org} for pretests and
+We normally use the server @code{alpha.gnu.org} for pretests and
prerelease versions. @xref{Automated FTP Uploads}, for procedural details
of putting new versions on @code{alpha.gnu.org}.
@item
Your package's download location (normally
@indicateurl{http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/@var{package}/}). It is also
-useful to mention the FTP mirror list at
+useful to mention the mirror list at
@url{http://www.gnu.org/order/ftp.html}, and that
@url{http://ftpmirror.gnu.org/@var{package/}} will automatically
redirect to a nearby mirror.
@cindex source repository
@cindex version control system
@cindex FTP site
+@cindex release site
@cindex hosting
We recommend using @code{savannah.gnu.org} for the source code
-repository for your package, and, even more so, using
-@code{ftp.gnu.org} as the standard distribution site. Doing so makes
-it easier for developers and users to find the latest GNU releases.
-@xref{Old Versions}, for more information about Savannah.
-
-However, it is ok to use other machines if you wish. If you use a
-company's machine to hold the repository for your program, or as its
-ftp site, please put this statement in a prominent place on the site,
-so as to prevent people from getting the wrong idea about the
-relationship between the package and the company:
+repository for your package, but that's not required. @xref{Old
+Versions}, for more information about Savannah.
+
+We strongly urge you to use @code{ftp.gnu.org} as the standard
+distribution site. Doing so makes it easier for developers and users
+to find the latest GNU releases. However, it is ok to use another
+server if you wish, provided it allows access from the general public
+without limitation (for instance, without excluding any country).
+
+If you use a company's machine to hold the repository for your
+program, or as its ftp site, please put this statement in a prominent
+place on the site, so as to prevent people from getting the wrong idea
+about the relationship between the package and the company:
@smallexample
The programs <list of them> hosted here are free software packages
projects / pspp / blobdiff