[texhax] the demise of macros/latex/contrib/supported

[Robin Fairbairns]

earlier this year, at a ctan planning meeting, we decided to abolish
the distinction between "supported" and "other" packages installed
under macros/latex/contrib

the decision was made because we have watched the steady erosion of
the distinction since 1994, when the sub-trees were created.  for
example, there were packages that plainly were supported installed
under other/, while maintainers of packages installed under supported/
were unavailable to perform any maintenance.

as of today, the subtrees of macros/latex/contrib have disappeared
from the main ctan sites.  the subtree directories other/ and
supported/ will retain a shadowy (soft link) existence until the end
of september 2003.  (apart from the convenience of users for which
addresses are memory-imprinted, the ctan team has still to complete
the required changes to the catalogue: the uk faq will be up to date
at its next release in a day or two).

Robin Fairbairns

For the CTAN team