B_FOLEY%UVMVAX@PUCC.PRINCETON.EDU (01/03/91)
OMARTI@TIFTON said: >On Thu, 20 Dec 90 16:04:00 EST <B_FOLEY@UVMVAX> said: >> BITNET users can use FTP by going through a server site such as >>BITFTP@PUCC.BITNET. See your local network wizard, or ask questions >>on a list/discussion group more suited to these issues than BIO-NAUT. > > Would you please suggest an appropriate list/discussion group? > >> >>Brian Foley >>B_FOLEY@UVMVAX.BITNET > > > O.G. Marti OMARTI@TIFTON And David Kristofferson <kristoff@GENBANK.BIO.NET> said: > >Brian, > > I think Rob set up this list precisely to handle the kinds of >issues that you are referring to other lists, but we should let Rob >speak for himself. > > Regarding the use of e-mail servers (Trickle servers) to >access FTP archives from BITNET, please be aware that many files put >up for FTP are LARGE. One runs the risk of overloading network >facilities by making extensive use of BITNET for FTP. I just wish >that more sites would put the effort into improving their network >connections, i.e., getting an Internet connection, instead of trying >to overload older technologies for purposes that may strain them to >the limit. This situation is almost analogous to those who bought an >IBM PC XT 6 years ago and still order databank releases on 134 XT >diskettes (fortunately GenBank is finally discontinuing this!). I >know it hurts some people to have to spend money on !@#$%%&* >computers, but please remember that networks are shared resources. >Those who try to transfer megabytes by e-mail for their own personal >use are impacting the work of others. >-- > Sincerely, > > Dave Kristofferson > GenBank Manager > > kristoff@genbank.bio.net The reason I suggested going to other lists such as: INFONETS@BITNIC Information about networks MAIL-L@BITNIC Information about e-mail HELP-NET@TEMPLEVM Information TECHNEWS@BITNIC Bitnet technical information TRANS-L@BITNIC File transfer information ADVISE-L@UBVM Computer consultants CONSULT@NERVM Computer consultants is not because this info is not relavent to biologists, but because this list is primarily read by biologists, and hence the answers that come in are from biologists. My original posting was pointing out that it is POSSIBLE to FTP from BITNET (correcting a statement that said BITNET users could not use FTP). I am not a network wizzard, I am just a biologist who can use computers well enough to get my job done, so I do not know all of the reasons why I should try to talk my school into getting an INTERNET connection rather than a BITNET connection. I do not know how many blocks can be transferred in a single file through BITFTP@PUCC. I just know that FTP is available, it does work, and one can get more detailed information from lists that cover such topics. In my humble opinion, a list such as BIO-NAUT should not try to cover all the technical aspects of biological computing (they are 90% the same as the technical aspects of computing in general), but should instead cover the items that are best covered by readers of the list, and pointing more technical questions toward the appropriate source of information. David Kristofferson has in the past provided great information for us about GenBank, but the above looks more like a flame. I had assumed that the TRICKLE servers were set up to serve poor folks like me who don't have the clout to get an INTERNET connection, but need to get a file from INTERNET once a month or so. If this is not the case, can someone suggest an address I can mail a mag tape to, that will download the file onto the tape and mail it back to me? Are there any other options? Brian "Just trying to help" Foley B_FOLEY@UVMVAX.BITNET
kristoff@genbank.bio.net (David Kristofferson) (01/03/91)
> David Kristofferson has in the past provided great information for > us about GenBank, but the above looks more like a flame. I had assumed > that the TRICKLE servers were set up to serve poor folks like me who > don't have the clout to get an INTERNET connection, but need to get > a file from INTERNET once a month or so. If this is not the case, > can someone suggest an address I can mail a mag tape to, that will > download the file onto the tape and mail it back to me? Are there > any other options? Not being a user of that service I don't know what the Trickle server size guidelines are. They were, of course, set up for the reason that you mentioned. However, we have had people ask about FTPing GenBank files in the past from BITNET. These files are **Megabytes** in size and would not be a good candidate for this service. I wonder how many people who use that service know what the guidelines are for what is acceptable use. Sorry to sound so strident about this; there's nothing personal, Brian. Having spent a long time in a lab myself, I realize how difficult getting computer issues resolved can be. If I sound strident it's because if someone doesn't keep prodding to make the conversion, it probably won't happen. Each time another band-aid solution is devised, it just makes the transition from BITNET to Internet even more difficult. Getting an Internet connection is not an issue for an individual lab. It is something that should be dealt with on a campus-wide or departmental level. -- Sincerely, Dave Kristofferson GenBank Manager kristoff@genbank.bio.net