Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
2.2.8 Distribution

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2.2.8 Distribution

2.2.8 Distribution

This line is used to alter the distribution scope of the message. It has the same format as the Newsgroups line. User subscriptions are still controlled by Newsgroups, but the message is sent to all systems subscribing to the newsgroups on the Distribution line instead of the Newsgroups line. Thus, a car for sale in New Jersey might have headers including

     Newsgroups: net.auto,net.wanted
     Distribution: nj.all

so that it would only go to persons subscribing to net.auto or net.wanted within New Jersey. The intent of this header is to further restrict the distribution of a newsgroup, not to increase it. A local newsgroup, such as nj.crazy-eddie, will probably not be propagated by sites outside New Jersey that do not show such a newsgroup as valid. Wildcards in newsgroup names in the Distribution line are allowed. Followup articles should default to the same Distribution line as the original article, but the user can change it to a more limited one, or escalate the distribution if it was originally restricted and a more widely distributed reply is appropriate.


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Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
2.2.8 Distribution