NIC distribution of manuals and handbooks
Request for copies of computer manuals for network-wide distribution.
North, J.B., "NIC distribution of manuals and handbooks", RFC 185, DOI 10.17487/RFC0185, July 1971, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc185>.
@misc{rfc185,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 185,
howpublished = {RFC 185},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0185},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc185},
author = {J.B. North},
title = {{NIC distribution of manuals and handbooks}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1971,
month = jul,
} RFC text
RFC 185 Jeanne North
NIC 7129 ARPA Network Information Center
Category G.2 Stanford Research Institute (ARC)
7-JUL-71
NIC DISTRIBUTION OF MANUALS AND HANDBOOKS
The Network Information Center asks that whenever basic manuals or
handbooks are produced by Network participants, a sufficient
quantity be made to supply NIC with copies for distribution. For
good Network communication, NIC now plans to distribute such
documents to all Station Agents for use as reference copies, to
Liaisons for their own use, and, when desirable, to outside
participants for understanding of the Network.
The number of Network participants receiving such distribution is
now approaching 80, and with the usual need for additions and
replacements, NIC now makes 100 copies of most documents. NIC
therefore requests that Network members issuing manuals and other
large working documents assist by providing the necessary 100 copies
at the time of issuance.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 12/96 ]
AI ELI5
On this page
§1The Network Information Center
The Network Information Center (NIC) is the central resource for information about the ARPANET. It maintains documentation, serves as a clearinghouse for network resources, and distributes materials to all network participants.
With the ARPANET growing rapidly and approaching 80 participants, the NIC needed a reliable way to get important technical documents to everyone who needed them. This RFC is a request for cooperation from all ARPANET sites.
The network library is trying to give everyone copies of important instructions, but it needs help getting enough copies made.
§2The Request
The NIC asks that whenever ARPANET participants produce basic manuals or handbooks, they provide the NIC with 100 copies at the time of issuance. This number accounts for the roughly 80 network participants at that time, plus extra for additions and replacements.
The request covers basic manuals, handbooks, and other substantial working documents that would be useful for others to consult. The NIC does not ask for copies of every internal document, only materials that are intended as reference works.
When your site writes a guide, print 100 copies and send them to the network library.
§3How Distribution Works
The NIC will distribute the manuals to three groups: Station Agents at each ARPANET site (for operational reference), Liaisons (who coordinate between sites and need reference materials for their work), and outside participants when appropriate (such as researchers or organizations collaborating with the network).
This centralized distribution ensures that important documentation reaches everyone who needs it, without each site having to manage its own document distribution.
The library sends copies to network managers, coordinators, and other people who need to understand how things work.