a program for TCP (Internet) connected Macintoshes
⌐1996 Edward Peterlin
a product from Bogus NewAge Wonder Software
What's new in version 1.0.2?
Version 1.0.2 fixes some networking problems (again...as if it never will stop), checks to see if you're sending a file to your own machine, and adds in some new features...
Ñ Ability to display the current machine's IP address (Network menu....NO MORE OPENING UP MACTCP YOURSELF!!!)
Ñ Three different transfer modes (see section on speed below).
It also has a compatibility mode so that it can receive file transfers from version 1.0.1/1.0.1b users (not version 1.0.1c users), although it can only send to version 1.0.2 users on account of the new transfer modes.
What is FreeTP?
FreeTP is a program designed specifically to do Macintosh file transfers over the Internet, namely through a TCP connection. A TCP connection is present between any two machines running MacTCP (can be on a local Ethernet network as well, or running a SLIP/PPP modem connection to an Internet service provider).
FreeTP was designed with a simple purpose in mind: to create a simple intuitive way for Macintosh users to transfer files over the Internet, like straight modem file transfers. The normal way to transfer a Macintosh file is quite complicated: compress the file, BinHex it, then attach it to e-mail or upload it to another site. The way to receive a file is to get it through uudecoding the e-mail or using ftp to get it from the site, deBinHex it, uncompress it, then use it. FreeTP gets rid of all of that...
FreeTP transfers files between Macintoshes without the need for any extra steps. You just tell FreeTP to send the file, find it in a normal dialog box, and hit OPEN, and voilê, it's sent! When you receive a file with FreeTP, you can use it immediately! No extra steps! And FreeTP is fast as well, AND it is PowerMac native. And it's small on top of it!
How do I use FreeTP?
FreeTP combines client and server applications in one package. Basically, the same program can both send and receive files.
FreeTP can send files only to another machine running FreeTP. It does not work with standard FTP sites or programs.
To receive files with FreeTP, open the program and select "Listening for connections" under the File menu. When "Listening for connections" is checked, FreeTP will automatically receive files from other people sending them to your machine using FreeTP. If "Listening for connections" is unchecked, files will not be received. The received files will be placed in the same folder as the FreeTP program. As long as "Listening for connections" is checked, any number of files sent by the other FreeTP user will be received.
To send a file with FreeTP, you need to know either the hostname or the IP address of the machine you want to send it to. To do this, you must actually contact the person you want to send it to. If they have a hostname (e.g: www.cnn.com), you can use it. If they do not have a name or don't know what it is, what you need is an IP address (e.g: 140.180.128.207). The IP address of your machine is displayed by FreeTP on startup and can be found again by the "What's my IP address?" command in the Network menu. An easy way to let your friend know is to connect and either e-mail your address to him/her or open a chat on any number of services (Chat, a First Class BBS, etc) and tell him/her.
To send the file using FreeTP after you know either the hostname or the address of its destination, open FreeTP and to to "Send file" under the File menu. You will see a dialog box asking for the machine you want to send the file to. Type what you know (IP Address, hostname), making sure to indicate whether it is an IP Address or a hostname under where you type it (quite important). Then hit "Let 'er rip!", and you will see a dialog box just as if you were going to open a regular file. Select the file you want to send and hit "Open", and FreeTP takes care of the rest! The file is sent!
It's not really as bad as it sounds once you use it... :-)
Speed Settings
Starting with version 1.0.2, the FreeTP protocol allows for different speed settings, i.e. different block sizes. When FreeTP transfers a file, it divides it up into blocks of equal lengths. The speed settings/maxiumum block sizes are:
Modem--normal .25 K per block
Modem--fast 1 K per block
Ethernet 10 K per block
Which speed setting should I use?
You should always determine the speed setting by the slowest connection of the two users...
If you are connected over a slower modem (<14.4 kbps), you should always use the modem--normal setting. The reason for this is that with slower connections, FreeTP may cut off the last section of the longer blocks, and there is currently no checking to see if this happens.
Modem--normal should be used by ALL modem users during busy Internet hours (usually early evening) when there is a lot of network traffic and the connection is slow.
Faster modem users can use the modem--fast setting during off-peak hours. It transfers files at a reasonable clip while usually assuring that the ends of blocks aren't cut off. This loss of some data may occur if you use this setting during peak hours.
Ethernet users (university backbones, etc.) can use the Ethernet speed setting, especially for intranet file transfers. Fast as anything. Use only between two ethernet connected machines.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
If you get an error that seems odd (like it's getting stuck in a loop or something) or you just want to be helpful, press command-period to quit the program instead of Command-Q and restart the machine. After restarted, inside the FreeTP folder will be a file called "errorlog". This file is a record of the actions FreeTP was taking at the time of the error. If you e-mail it to me, I can help fix the problem as soon as possible (as well as get all the updates, some free software, beta testing if wanted...)
Address: bogus_newage_wonder@tunanet.com
If you don't feel like being helpful, then just quit using Command-Q. You shouldn't have to restart your machine, but it is highly recommended.
Great, but how much does it cost?
Right now, FreeTP is exactly as its name sounds, FREE!
If you have suggestions, thankx, would like to get all of the updaters, would like to see some of the source code (CodeWarrior, C), or use the software regularly, I'd appreciate your comments. Send e-mail to:
bogus_newage_wonder@tunanet.com
Bugs
Right now, FreeTP v1.0.2 does not implement even the required AppleEvents (quit, print, etc.), so it probably won't quit when you use the Shutdown command from the Finder. The best thing to do is to quit FreeTP before you shut off the computer.
Revision History
v1.0.2 implements multiple speed settings, watch cursors (so now you know when FreeTP's working!), some network patches. Can receive from versions 1.0.1, 1.0.1b.
v1.0.1c fixed the problem some users were having in the method FreeTP used to initialize the sockets.
v1.0.1b fixed hopefully last of the PPP/SLIP problems (sacrificing speed, however, but most importantly, it works).
FreeTP uses the Internet socket library of GUSI (Grand Unified Socket Interface) by Matthias Neeracher <neeri@iis.ee.ethz.ch>. The socket routines are ⌐1995, Matthias Neeracher, as well as all of the copyrights it contains.
Parts of FreeTP are ⌐1994-6 Metroworks.
FreeTP can be freely uploaded to any site. FreeTP may not be included in commercial bundles without the express permission of Edward Petelrin/Bogus NewAge Wonder Software.
Edward Peterlin/Bogus NewAge Wonder Software provides this software AS IS. No warranties are either expressed or implied. Use at your own risk. Read the legal mumbo jumbo below.
BECAUSE FREETP IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, WE PROVIDE ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE STATE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING, EDWARD PETERLIN/BOGUS NEWAGE WONDER SOFTWARE, AND/OR OTHER PARTIES PROVIDE FREETP "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE FREETP PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW WILL EDWARD PETERLIN/BOGUS NEWAGE WONDER SOFTWARE, AND/OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND REDISTRIBUTE FREETP AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST MONIES, OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH PROGRAMS NOT DISTRIBUTED BY EDWARD PETERLIN/BOGUS NEWAGE WONDER SOFTWARE) THE PROGRAM, EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.
