distribution

1. A software source tree packaged for distribution; but see {kit}. Since about 1996 unqualified use of this term often implies `{Linux} distribution'. The short form {distro} is often used for this sense.
2. A vague term encompassing mailing lists and Usenet newsgroups (but not {BBS} {fora}); any topic-oriented message channel with multiple recipients.
3. An information-space domain (usually loosely correlated with geography) to which propagation of a Usenet message is restricted; a much-underutilized feature.

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