AD-HUB03.TXT (Last Updated 04/20/94)

The AUTHOR DIRECT File Distribution Network.   Regional/Local Hub Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for your interest in participating in this project.

First of all, let us make a few things absolutely clear before wasting any of 
your valuable time:

1) Files will be accepted for distribution from ASP Author ONLY.

2) This is *NOT* an ASP-Sponsored project at this time. We hope that the ASP 
will be anxious to adopt it once we prove that it works, but at the present 
time it is strictly a private project.

Now, with all that out of the way, we can get on to the other stuff.

THE TECHNOLOGY
--------------
This network will make use of FidoNet-based technology. In other words, 
participants will use FidoNet-compatible mail/file transfer software to 
perform all transfers of files and messages. This should not be confused to 
mean that participants must be FidoNet members! We are only using the same 
software that FidoNet members use.....anyone can participate in our network, 
providing that they are willing to use this software.

We require that our Regional Hubs already be members of an existing network 
which uses FidoNet-based Technology. Since our Regional Hubs will be 
responsible for transfering files to the end nodes, as well as helping the end 
nodes with software configurations and problems, we must require that our 
Regional Hubs already be familiar with the necessary software. This includes 
mailer software, nodelist processing software, nodelist updating software, 
automatic file tossing software, and network message software.

THE REQUIREMENTS
----------------
The requirements for participation as a Regional Hub in The AUTHOR DIRECT File 
Distribution Network are fairly minimal and straight forward. While they are 
simple, they are also necessary and strictly enforced.

1) You must be a current participant in a network using FidoNet compatible 
software. This does not mean that you must be a member of FidoNet, but you 
must be using, and familiar with, the software used in FidoNet.

2) You will be responsible for any necessary transfer costs between you and 
your HQ Hub. Alternately, if you are a subscriber to the Planet Connect 
satellite service, you can obtain the bulk of files via that service. However, 
there will still be a small number of files that you will be required to pick 
up from the HQ site, at your own expense (i.e. weekly nodelist and nodelist 
update files)

3) All Hubs must be capable of at least 14400 BPS transfer speeds.

4) You must poll your HQ hub on a *NIGHTLY* basis (*). This is to give the 
authors a guarantee that their files arrive at the sites in a timely manner. 
Your downlinks are required to poll you at least twice per week, and you are 
free to establish polling windows if necessary.

   (*) If you recieve your feed from Planet Connect, you are only required
       to poll your hub weekly.

5) You are allowed to establish any cost-recovery plans between you and your 
downlinks. The network has established limits on these fees, based on the 
number of End Nodes which the Hub is supporting. Hubs with 0-20 End Nodes are 
allowed to charge a maximum of $2/month per node, Hubs with 21-40 End Nodes 
may charge a maximum of $1.50/month per node, and Hubs with 41 or more End 
Nodes may charge a maximum of $1/month per node. 

  NOTE #1:  The total number of End Nodes is not to include any "Local" 
            Planet Connect hub sites.

  NOTE #2:  Planet Connect "Local Hubs" are not permitted to establish any
            such cost-recovery plans.

6) You may not establish any automatic "feed" from this network to any systems 
not listed in our nodelist. This is a tightly structured network, and you are 
not allowed to "feed" any other systems without prior arrangements with the 
network. (this does not apply to Planet Connect "Local Hub" sites, although 
they are encouraged to urge their downlinks to join as "End Node" members).

7) You must remove any older versions of files when new versions are recieved. 
Many of the automated processing utilities contain such features. If your 
processing software contains such a feature, you are required to activate it. 
If your software does not have such a feature, you are required to perform 
regular, routine maintenance (once/month, minimum) to remove duplicate and 
older versions of files.

8) If you become disassociated with the network, you may reapply for a network 
ID, but only as an end node. You may not reapply later and expect to be given 
a Regional Hub position. We need Regional Hub systems who will stick with us. 
If you quit, you will forfeit any possibility of regaining your Regional Hub 
status in the future.

In order to apply for a Regional Hub position in AUTHOR DIRECT, you must fill 
out the accompanying application form, and submit it to the HQ Hub site listed 
on the form. We have established 10 Regional Hub regions in the US and Canada. 
Please do not be too upset if another system in your general area has already 
been selected, but areas will be established on a "first come, first served" 
basis. The officials of the AUTHOR DIRECT File Distribution Network reserve 
the right to determine any and all territories, and to make final selections 
of Regional Hub systems.

If you are a Planet Connect subscriber, and wish to obtain and redistribute 
the Author Direct file feed, please see the additional information/requirement 
file PCONNxx.TXT included in the AD-HUBxx.ZIP package.

