[comp.os.minix] special background filetransfer

jdb9608@ultb.UUCP (J.D. Beutel ) (01/14/89)

I'm checking around before I do anything rash--like writing something myself.

Is there a program that will let me download a file (from Un*x)
while I continue to work in a shell over the same telephone line?

If not, I'll write it myself.  The problem is that I hear that Minix
can't handle RS-232 very well yet (and I don't have Minix, yet),
so I suppose I'll have to write it under TOS.  The problem with TOS
is that I'll have to start from scratch since the TOS programs I've seen
don't make use of the Un*x-like standard interfaces.  For example,
I don't see how I could use a previously written terminal emulator.
I'd have to write one of my own, duplicating effort and producing a
measly VT52 compatability (because, no, I don't have the time for a
VT100 or higher emulator).  

So, if you've heard of a special background filetransfer program like 
what I'm looking for, please save me the time of writing it!
I've heard the uw folks wanted to do such a thing--uw is so close 
to this idea already, I'm surprised I havn't heard of it being able
to do so.  If you have any idea about how I can avoid writing this
in such a way that it will be good for only one thing and be of
no use to anyone in the future as they program other things,
please let me know.  I believe software should be built upon other software,
and I hate doing something someone else has already done.

Thanks.

11011011_____jdb9608@ritcv.UUCP_____prefered==>__jdb9608@ritvax.BITNET
-- 
11011011_____jdb9608@ritcv.UUCP_____prefered==>__jdb9608@ritvax.BITNET

rpw3@amdcad.AMD.COM (Rob Warnock) (01/14/89)

In article <289@ultb.UUCP> jdb9608@ultb.UUCP (J.D. Beutel (713ICS)) writes:
+---------------
| Is there a program that will let me download a file (from Un*x)
| while I continue to work in a shell over the same telephone line?
+---------------

Yes -- though whether it would be useful to you is questionable.
There is a complete implementation of the TCP/IP protocols by
Phil Karn (ham callsign KA9Q) which runs on a PC, and provides
multiple Telnet and FTP connections over a single SLIP connection
(Serial Line IP). It requires that the (Unix or whatever) host on
the other end support SLIP (which comes with Berkeley 4.3bsd Unix).

I have used it for exactly what you describe: Transferring files
with FTP while doing shell-level work with Telnet.

Of course, I had Telebit Trailblazers on both ends. It's a bit sluggish
(but still works) at 1200 baud... ;-}


Rob Warnock
Systems Architecture Consultant

UUCP:	  {amdcad,fortune,sun}!redwood!rpw3
ATTmail:  !rpw3
DDD:	  (415)572-2607
USPS:	  627 26th Ave, San Mateo, CA  94403

ecs40hw036@minnie.ucdavis.edu (0000;0000047834;3200;250;205;ecs40hw) (01/17/89)

Yes, there is a background transfering program called Shadow that allows
background file transfering.  You can do all sorts of things while Shadow
is downloading, like press the reset button, change resolutions, and 
whatnot.  It costs $29.95, and it's from Antic's "The Catalog" (in Antic
and STart magazines)  You can probably ask them for a catalog of "The
Catalog" by calling (415) 957-0886, or 1-800-234-7001(but I think the toll
free number is for orders only).  There is also a public domain background
transfering program, but I can't seem to find it among my disks, and I don't
remember its name.  

(Might as well hit three birds with a stone..)
Yes, I know the ST will never be able to match Amiga graphics, since there is
so much you can do with hardware.  But, several times IBM and Mac users 
walked in my room while I was using Spectrum and said, "Is that an Amiga?"
Upon closer look, they knew otherwise, but it shows that 512 colors and 4096
colors aren't that distinguishable from beyond 6 feet.

A genlock program is available for the ST.  It's made by a third party software
manufacturer(like everything else that's good).  I'm now frantically trying
to find out which company it is by going through all my STart magazines..

*****ahsiung@ucdavis.edu
*****ecs40hw038@minnie.ucdavis.edu  
-Andy aka Sir Hackalot
.