** 1 page PD/Shareware review/ 714 words **

aFTP v1.4 beta

Dan Dreibelbis reports...

** MAIN.GIF here **

One of the best ways to finding new software to use on your machine is through searching via the File Transfer Protocol, or ftp. Many systems on the internet have space set aside for storing vast quantities of software for various platforms - including the Atari. You can also find a mind-boggling quantity of graphics and text files to cover just about any interest or topic on these sites. FTP is also the method used by some ISPs to enable their users to upload and maintain their personal web pages.

Originally to get to ftp sites you had to log into an ISP via a terminal program, activate its online UNIX ftp server client, and then type in various commands in order to log onto the server, get to its proper file area where you want to search, and then download to your computer or to your personal online storage area - an irksome and cumbersome procedure. Now many ISPs are dropping shell access in favour of their users utilising their own desktop client software which makes the who process much more user-friendly.

Thankfully there are a fistful of solutions available to Atarians already so for once we're not left out in the cold. One of the best solutions is ATACK FTP, or aFTP, which is programmed by Czech programmers Jan and Tomas Krivankove.


Installation

There are two separate versions of aFTP, one for use with the STiK/STiNG TCP/IP stack and the other for use with MinTNET. For the former, you'll need an operating system AES that can handle pop up and sub-menus (all TOS versions above 3.30, MagiC with XMEN_MGR.PRG installed, or Geneva), for the later you'll additionally need MiNT v1.08 and MintNET 1.01 or later. The Krivankoves also recommend you use a desktop with AV Server capability and thankfully most of the popular replacement desktops including Thing, Neodesk4, Ease and jinnee measure up.

In common with most internet clients, they work best under a multitasking operating system which means you can install aFTP as the default ftp client for use within CAB and download archives directly from web pages via the ftp client.

** SETTINGS.GIF here

Installing aFTP as a client is simplicity itself. After installing aFTP on your drive simply run the program. Configuration is performed using the various GEM menu entries which set the cache, upload/download paths, whether to keep a logfile of each session and where to keep it.

** HOTLIST.GIF here

The hotlist is one of the programs nicest features. After setting up your favourite sites complete with the necessary login and password prompts revisiting them is childs play. After logging on and launching aFTP, select a hotlist entry and aFTP performs all the necessary commands and log-ons displaying a GEM window with all the directories and files on the site. Changing directories and up/downloading files from/to your machine are all simple point and click operations.
Unlike some ftp clients aFTP can also upload/download entire directories which saves having to open folders and upload/download files individually.

** DOWNLOAD.GIF here

The up/download progress bar is another neat feature which, for multiple up/downloads, includes two graphical bars which indicate the progress of each individual file and the total up/download progress along with an estimate of time remaining.

This release refreshes directory windows much faster than the previous release when changing directories or accessing a different ftp site.

I've been using aFTP for months and find it to be the most intuitive and easy to use FTP client available to Atari users - it's indispensable for maintaining my web pages and searching for new files and best of all the Krivakoves squash bugs and add new features at an amazing rate. This program is a keeper!

** product boxout **
aFTP v1.4beta

Author
Jan and Tomas Krivankove
Email: atack@szt.cdrail.cz
http://www.pwp.cz/atack/
Zizkova 26, 320 16 Plzen, Czech Republic

Status
Freeware, but donations accepted

Requires
Minimum 1Mb, TCP/IP stack (STiK or STiNG), AES supporting pop-up menus (MagiC, Geneva, TOS 3.xx and above), AV server desktop, MinT (for MinTNet version).

Pros
Fast, easy to configure, GEM interface

Cons
Won't run on a standard ST without system enhancements (multi-tasking, AV Server desktop)

Rating
80%
** /product boxout **