Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts) (06/28/91)
Index Number: 16541 I found a great way to monitor the progress of downloads if you do not happen to have a device like a tweedle dump. And, the price is right too. Everyone knows that computers generate rfi. So I put an fm radio near the computer and tuned around 108 megs until I found something which sounds like an unmodulated carrier. I found that when I am downloading files, the computer causes the radio to emit a low-pitched pulsating buzz. It is unobtrusive but easily heard. When you chain several downloads, the sound changes when the computer switches files and then reverts to the rhythmic pulsing buzz when starting to download the next file. When the download is finished, the sound in the radio again changes. The point is that it is quite easy to determine that your download is progressing smoothly and also when it has terminated. Although everybody's machine generates rfi, I don't know if this technique will work for everyone. But it is certainly worth a try. Although I didn't say so, obviously the computer should be turned on before tuning the radio for the carrier. Don Roberts -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!5.0!Donald.Roberts Internet: Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org