# Who wants a copy of the SDMB on DVDs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-a-copy-of-the-sdmb-on-dvds/398931 "2007-04-06T01:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chasing\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@Chasing\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chasing_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-a-copy-of-the-sdmb-on-dvds/398931/1 "2007-04-06T01:43:17Z")
I have done a little bit of testing and calculation. The entire [SDMB archive](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php) is between 20-35 gigabytes, uncompressed, and in HTML. Compressed, this should be less than half the size because it is practically all text. I have a little program that will allow me to crawl and download the archive. I _COULD_ download the whole thing onto my laptop but I don’t think the moderators/admins would like me doing that. I just want to see how much demand there is before asking to do something like this. My primary goal is to index the archives and get blazing fast searches for myself, and then maybe everyone else. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-a-copy-of-the-sdmb-on-dvds/398931/2 "2007-04-06T01:59:49Z")
[QUOTE=Chasing Dreams] I have done a little bit of testing and calculation. The entire [SDMB archive](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php) is between 20-35 gigabytes, uncompressed, and in HTML. Compressed, this should be less than half the size because it is practically all text. I have a little program that will allow me to crawl and download the archive. I _COULD_ download the whole thing onto my laptop but I don’t think the moderators/admins would like me doing that. I just want to see how much demand there is before asking to do something like this. My primary goal is to index the archives and get blazing fast searches for myself, and then maybe everyone else. [/QUOTE] You could get the whole thing on one HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc, no prob. With compression, hopefully, on one dual-layer DVD. If the Reader pulled in all the material that has been archived and is no longer directly accessible, like Google Groups did, I’d pay for it. This could be a Special Companion Volume to the next Straight Dope book. 🙂 I wonder how much it would cost to do? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-a-copy-of-the-sdmb-on-dvds/398931/3 "2007-04-06T02:12:45Z")
The Straight Dope Message Board is copyrighted. As the Registration Agreement says: > [@](#): > > All postings and other material on the SDMB are copyrighted by the Reader. Republication of material appearing on the SDMB without express written permission of the Reader is prohibited, except that users retain the right to republish their own work. By posting on this board you grant the Reader and its successors and assigns a nonexclusive irrevocable right to reuse your posting in any manner it or they see fit without notice or compensation to you. You retain the rights to your own posts; you do not have rights to republish those of others. > [@Chasing Dreams](#): > > I _COULD_ download the whole thing onto my laptop but I don’t think the moderators/admins would like me doing that. I just want to see how much demand there is before asking to do something like this. If you think we won’t approve of it, then you need to ask before you post a thread like this. “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission” is a cute saying, but following it will get you thumped here. > [@Chasing Dreams](#): > > My primary goal is to index the archives and get blazing fast searches for myself, **and then maybe everyone else**. (Bolding, mine.) From the Registration Agreement: > [@](#): > > This message board is intended as a medium for public discussion. Do not post spam, including but not limited to advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, solicitations, offers to trade or barter, charitable appeals, or other messages primarily intended to promote a cause, venture, organization, event (except Straight Dope-related events), website, or other entity or activity, whether or not money is involved. You’ll need to ask next time, please. I realize you were just trying to gather interest, but we could have saved you the time and effort if you had just asked first.