Am 22.06.2011 um 10:36 schrieb Philip TAYLOR (Webmaster, Ret'd):
>
>
> Keith J. Schultz wrote:
>
>> The problem is not the OS or "filing system". It is the programs.
>> 1) If you have a remote server mounted all you need
>> is the mount point plus the path to the file. Standard
>> on all OSes I know.
>
> I am not convinced that the CTAN backbone supports (or
> would want to support) "remote mounting".
I doubt it either! But, it could be done on a local server or
for a group which wishes to collaborate. Also, there could be
read only mounts! Sorry, getting OT here!
>
>> 2) A program can open any/retrieve any file on a server
>> using http. all it needs to do is speak http!
>>
>> Technically this is not a problem.
>
> Agreed.
>
>> I believe XeTex et al. should be able to handle 1) without any problems.
>
> See above !
>>
>> 2) would require code to be added to retrieve the file, cache it, and access
>> it
>> add throw it any when done. A waste of bandwidth in my opinion. There are
>> other cavets to consider.
>
> In my opinion, this is the way of the future. It is ludicrous
> that we all have to create our own virtual CTAN mirrors. Far
> better to evolve a methodology that will, entirely transparently,
> use a local copy as first choice; fetch (via http) a remote copy
> and make it local, as second choice; and (3) offer a configuration
> option to check whether the remote copy is more recent than the
> local and if so, fetch it (and install it locally) automatically
> when that file is next required.
Well, in a sense with tlmgr we already have this. Only,
it is manual. Could write a cron script to run tlmgr to keep
the system uptodate.
Automatic downloads of missing parts, would require a major rewrite.
There is no internal infrastructure in place for this kind of system.
>
> A TeX Live installation should, IMVHO, start as small as possible
> and grow by accretion. Bulk installs should be seen as yesterday's
> technology, install-on-first-demand as the way of the future.
I agree that it would be a nice feature, especially in the light
of tablets with their minimal storage capacities.
On my laptop I am happy having a full installation.
Do not need to worry, if I have net access.
regards
Keith.
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