diff --git a/DAS/simulator.py b/DAS/simulator.py
index c76aff0..7d4b341 100644
--- a/DAS/simulator.py
+++ b/DAS/simulator.py
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ class Simulator:
         # pushed out by the proposer.
         # 1: the data is sent out exactly once on rows and once on columns (2 copies in total)
         # self.shape.netDegree: default behavior similar (but not same) to previous code
-        self.proposerPublishTo = self.shape.netDegree   # TODO: make this an external parameter
+        self.proposerPublishToR = config.evalConf(self, config.proposerPublishToR, shape)
+        self.proposerPublishToC = config.evalConf(self, config.proposerPublishToR, shape)
 
     def initValidators(self):
         """It initializes all the validators in the network."""
@@ -202,12 +203,12 @@ class Simulator:
         for v in self.validators:
             if (self.proposerPublishOnly and v.amIproposer):
                 for id in v.rowIDs:
-                    count = min(self.proposerPublishTo, len(rowChannels[id]))
+                    count = min(self.proposerPublishToR, len(rowChannels[id]))
                     publishTo = random.sample(rowChannels[id], count)
                     for vi in publishTo:
                         v.rowNeighbors[id].update({vi.ID : Neighbor(vi, 0, self.shape.nbCols)})
                 for id in v.columnIDs:
-                    count = min(self.proposerPublishTo, len(columnChannels[id]))
+                    count = min(self.proposerPublishToC, len(columnChannels[id]))
                     publishTo = random.sample(columnChannels[id], count)
                     for vi in publishTo:
                         v.columnNeighbors[id].update({vi.ID : Neighbor(vi, 1, self.shape.nbRows)})
diff --git a/smallConf.py b/smallConf.py
index 8938dc1..685c2b1 100644
--- a/smallConf.py
+++ b/smallConf.py
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ randomizeMaliciousNodes = True
 # Per-topic mesh neighborhood size
 netDegrees = range(8, 9, 2)
 
+# How many copies are sent out by the block producer
+# Note, previously this was set to match netDegree
+proposerPublishToR = "shape.netDegree"
+proposerPublishToC = "shape.netDegree"
+
 # the overall number of row/columns taken into custody by a node is determined by
 # a base number (custody) and a class specific multiplier (validatorsPerNode).
 # We support two models:
@@ -120,3 +125,18 @@ def nextShape():
         if netDegree % 2 == 0:
             shape = Shape(nbCols, nbColsK, nbRows, nbRowsK, nn, fm, fr, mn, class1ratio, chR, chC, vpn1, vpn2, netDegree, bwUplinkProd, bwUplink1, bwUplink2, run)
             yield shape
+
+def evalConf(self, param, shape = None):
+    '''Allow lazy evaluation of params in various forms
+
+    Examples:
+      sendLineUntilR = "shape.blockSizeRK"
+      sendLineUntilC = lambda shape : shape.blockSizeCK
+      perNodeQueue = "self.amIproposer"
+    '''
+    if callable(param):
+        return param(shape)
+    elif isinstance(param, str):
+        return eval(param)
+    else:
+        return param