Hubbs wrote: 
> Part of the difference you are seeing, I think, is that  when we install
> packages, everything is installed -- the documentation, header files,
> libraries and executibles.  I don't know whether releng deletes parts of
> packages they don't need (such as header files or the material in
> /usr/share/doc), but if they do that would bring the size down.

Hubbs, they can remove whole directories, they routinely remove man
pages etc, they can add files to a list to remove if they have any ones
in weird locations. 

If you're interested take a look at the old Catalyst 2.x manual i
mentioned. Perhaps if we can demonstrate WE CAN MAKE IT OURSELVES releng
will sit up and take notice and do it once we have done the leg-work. 

i will help if there is interest.

HTH,
   Robyn