[plug] Mirrors

[James Elliott]

How do mirrors work (not the glass ones but the ones we download from)?

I gather the major downloads are not only stored on the source server but
also on "mirrors" in other countries.

1.  Since we pay no more for Internet use if we download from within
Australia as distinct from overseas, why use mirrors? - what is the
advantage?
2.  Who pays for the mirror sites if the downloads are free?

Thanks,

James Elliott