Meaning of "(Downloads)" in abandonware categories on FTP

[xmsxmsxm]

Hi, just a quick question about the way the abandonware categories are set up on the FTP.

We have, for example, "PC (DOS)" as well as "PC (DOS) (Downloads)", and "PC (Windows)" as well as "PC (Windows) (Downloads)", etc.

My interpretation of this is that the regular (non-"Downloads") folders contain disk images that have been dumped specifically for BetaArchive as original submissions, whereas the "Downloads" folders contain disk images sourced from other places online. Is this interpretation completely accurate, or am I missing something? I want to be sure I fully understand what's what on here.

Thanks in advance for any clarifications or info about this - I haven't been very active here for various reasons but this place is an unbelievable treasure and I definitely plan on getting much more involved as soon as I can

[ToMi1]

The "(Downloads)" means that the releases were downloaded from another websites (such as WinWorld) and so on.

[mrpijey]

It's quite accurate. (Download) means it's been downloaded from a third party source, and these releases are flagged as non-original. (Digital) means they are original releases but downloaded from digital repos (Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, VMware etc). And the folders without any designation are all verified original dumps from original physical media, but only if the other folders are there, otherwise it may not be sorted yet.

[xmsxmsxm]

Thanks, that all makes sense! I really appreciate the level of care and detail that goes into the sorting and organizing in this community, it's something I find sadly lacking elsewhere. Even among many so-called preservationists. The increasing use of DIC as a dumping tool is also something I'm very happy to see, IMHO it's by far the best solution for preservation. Some seriously excellent work going on here, long may it continue (occasional silly little dramas notwithstanding)...