To aid the archiving and retrieval of of TeX-related files, a TUG working group developed the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network (CTAN). Each CTAN site has identical material, and maintains authoritative versions of its material. These collections are extensive; in particular, almost everything mentioned in this article is archived at the CTAN siteus, even if its location isn't explicitly stated.
The CTAN sites are currently ftp.dante.de (129.206.100.192), ftp.tex.ac.uk (128.232.1.87) and tug2.cs.umb.edu (158.121.106.16). The organisation of TeX files on all these sites is identical and starts at tex-archive/. To reduce network load, please use the CTAN site or mirror closest to you. A complete and current list of CTAN sites and known mirrors can be obtained by using the finger utility on `user' ctan@ftp.tex.ac.uk, ctan@ftp.dante.de or ctan@tug.cs.umb.edu; it is also available as file CTAN.sites
To find software at a CTAN site, use anonymous ftp to the host,
and then execute the command `quote site index <term>' (see
finding files for details).
The email server
ftpmail@ftp.dante.de provides an ftp-like interface through
mail. Send a message containing just the line `help' to your
nearest server for details of use.
Users on BITNET may access anonymous ftp for some files
indirectly by sending mail to BITFTP@PUCC.BITNET. Send a
message containing the line `help' to this address for more
information.
There is also the DECUS TeX collection of
material for VMS, Unix, MS-DOS, and the Macintosh.
It is available via anonymous ftp from
wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4) in
decus/tex/. It can also be obtained from the DECUS Library
(reference number VS0058) in the US, or through your DECUS office
outside of the US. To contact the DECUS Library, send mail or telephone:
DECUSor send electronic mail for information to the DECUS TeX Collection Editor, Ted Nieland (nieland@ted.hcst.com).
LIBRARY ORDER PROCESSING
334 South Street, SHR3-1/T25
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4195
USA
Tel: 800-DECUS55 (within the USA, for information)
Fax: (+1) 508-841-3373 (for inquiries)
Finally, of course, the TeX user who has no access to any sort of network may buy a copy of the archive on CD-ROM (see TeX CD-ROMs).