Subj : About the Electronic PUblishing FDN
To   : All
From : Ep-FDN
Date : Thu Apr 30 2009 12:02 pm

THE ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING FILE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WELCOMES YOUR
SUBMISSIONS!

These file echoes serve as an outlet for the publication of
electronic books and periodicals which are not forbidden
distribution via such channels.  COpyrighted works are welcome
so long as the author and/or publisher state that electronic
distribution is permissible.
See epsubmit.zip available in the ep-adm file area for further
information.

THe echo ep-2hq is the officially recognized channel to the
fdn coordinator for the submission of files germane to these
file echoes.  

AT this time we are only accepting machine readable formats for
distribution in theEP-FDN.  YES, we know this excludes adobe
acrobat format, as there is no possible way that the coordinator
can verify the suitability and legality of distributing such files. 
However, we can accept ascii as well as some other word processor
formats.  

The fDN coordinator suggests that someone who can verify legality
and suitability of pdf books and periodicals might wish to
coordinate a file distribution network dedicated to this and other
proprietary formats that are not readily machine readable.  Since
the ep-fdn coordinator has already engaged in a few discussions
with folks via email and netmail questioning this policy and
doesn't wish to take the time with the back and forth on the issue
of the Adobe format and its limitations  a brief explanation is in
order.

AS one who must use text to speech and access technology due to
blindness oftentimes adobe format files are only readable by the
blind when they are printed out, then scanned with high quality
optical character recognition software then being deployed on the
resulting file created by said scan.  This wastes a lot of paper,
and a lot of time.  

For those in this position running unix linux or other operating
systems than windows there is no accessibility plug-in for the
acrobat reader, and the so-called accessibility plug-in for windows
does not consistently give the desired results on all acrobat
files.  THIs being the case, it is suggested that someone else
maintain a pdf publishing fdn.  

We distribute files worldwide which are considered intellectual property.
Many different laws and rules govern the disposition and
handling of intellectual property.  Therefore we must ensure
that all materials submitted will not violate copyright laws.
SInce the coordinator resides in the United STates, and is
one who makes his living thanks to intellectual property
he has some familiarity with U.S. intellectual property and
copyright laws.  Staying within the bounds of these requirements
can reasonably assure sysops distributing ep-fdn files that
they will not run afoul of copyright rules and regulations
in their homelands.

The ep-fdn consists of the following file echoes:

ep/ep-ascii electronic publishing ascii files such as faq
files, etc. which don't fit other categories.

ep/ep-mag electronic periodicals in ascii or machine readable format

ep/ep-adm ep administration area

ep/ep-book Electronic books

ep/ep-2hq Back channel area for submissions to fdn coordinator


For more information contact the ep-fdn coordinator, Richard
Webb at fidonet 1:116/901 via routed netmail.
           Email ep.coord@116-901.ftn.wpusa.dynip.com



--- Harvey's Robot v6.00
 * Origin: EP-FDN COordinator (1:116/901.3)

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