EasyTransfer v1.0 & EasyTransfer-Server ⌐1992 Christopher Reid
EasyTransfer may be freely distributed provided that no modifications are made to the software and this document is included.
What is EasyTransfer?
EasyTransfer and EasyTransfer-Server form a tool that allows users to exchange files (Macintosh or otherwise) between Macintosh computers. There is no need to compress and/or BinHex or manipulate the files in any other way first. The transfer is done in real time, so it gets the files across when you want it and not with days of mail queue delay. EasyTransfer allows you to send or receive files to/from any Mac anywhere in the world, provided both Macs are equipped with MacTCP. It is designed for groups of people who work together on some project and wish to exchange/update files frequently. Compressing/BinHexing/Cutting-into-bits takes up a lot of time which EasyTransfer eliminates. EasyTransfer is extremely simple. It has no particularly fancy user interface and apart from sending or receiving files there╒s not a lot to it. This is quite deliberate. It is meant to provide a *simple* and *quick* way of transferring files without the need for an elaborate setup and many configuration files. There is no need for special servers (eg. POP hosts) or UNIX services. Absolutely no knowledge of networks etc. is required. Users should be able to get it up and running in at most ten minutes. Users who seek compatibility with Unix, or Mac e-mail, should have a look at, for example, Eudora. Also, it is not meant to substitute ftp, even though it can be used this way (if you are looking for a Mac-style ftp client, try Fetch!).
EasyTransfer-Server is the server side. It runs in the background (unless it is activated) and deals with incoming/outgoing files. It uses little memory and very little CPU time when sleeping. Clients who wish to transfer/deposit files must have an account (with optional password). There is the possibility of an ╘anonymous╒ login, which or may not be enabled. The ╘owner╒ of the server may add/delete registered users at will.
EasyTransfer is the client. It is only run when you want to transfer some files. You may transfer files to more than one machine at a time (up to 30). The server is not required just to drop/read files on some other machine (provided the other machine has the server running, of course!).
System Requirements
EasyTransfer and EasyTransfer-Server require system software 6 or higher and MacTCP. I have not tested it on MacPlus or older, but would like to hear whether it runs/doesn╒t run on older machines.
How to use EasyTransfer-Server
EasyTransfer-Server is required to allow other users to access files on your Mac. It creates a folder called ╘Transfer╒ on your start-up volume. Remote users can ONLY access files in this folder. Your other files are totally inaccessible for them. Start it by double-clicking its icon. If its default puts it straight to sleep then wake it by selecting its menu entry from the Finder menu. The menu bar will now be blank. Press command-g. This brings up its menu bar and an opening screen. To configure EasyTransfer you should select ╘SysAdmin╒ from the file menu. This allows you to set a password (optional) which is needed to modify or add registered users.
IMPORTANT: if you distribute EasyTransfer make sure it is a version with no password required or others may not be able to use it.
Next select ╘Users╒ from the File menu. If a password is needed at this stage, type it in. A list of registered users will be displayed. You may add or delete users in the obvious way (let me know if it╒s not obvious).
NOTE: changes come only into effect the next time EasyTransfer-Server is run. To make changes immediate, quit and restart.
There are several ways in which you can restrict access per user. Every registered user has a name and the following attributes, each of which may be on/off:
Ñ require password
Ñ allow to deposit files
Ñ read files owned by remote user
Ñ read all files in ╘Transfer╒ directory
Ñ restrict access from hour:minute to hour:minute
Every user has a folder with his name inside the main ╘Transfer╒ folder. Incoming files are stored inside every users respective folder.
NOTE: if you have GateKeeper installed you must either turn it off or add
EasyTransfer-Server to the list of accepted applications. If you fail to do
so GateKeeper will veto the creation of applications (when someone sends you
an application).
╘Show Log╒ will display a window with a log of all transactions that have been
carried out. ╘Set Startup╒ will ask you to specify whether EasyTransfer should go straight to sleep when activated or whether it should become active.
How to use EasyTransfer
Double-click on EasyTransfer. Before you can access remote files you have to connect to a remote machine(s). Do this by choosing ╘Connections/Open Connection╒. You will have to know the IP name of the remote machine, for example myMac.dcs.gla.ac.uk or 132.44.6.21 (don╒t try this, both are fictional). You may specify more than one connection. After you pressed OK, the connections are established. This may take some time, depending on the speed of the underlying net. If you want to deposit files on the remote machine, proceed as follows:
Select the file that is to be transmitted with ╘Open╒ from the file menu. Select ╘Transfer╒ to transfer the file. Press OK to transfer the file.
To get files from a remote Mac select ╘File/Get File╒. A list of Macs to which you are currently connected to will appear. Select a remote Mac and a list of files on the Mac is displayed. Maneouver through the file list in the standard way. Select a file that you want to get and press OK.
You may create an Alias (a list of addresses) by selecting ╘New Alias╒ from the file menu. Loading an alias sets the current recipients to whatever is in the file.
The contents of the Alias will be displayed as soon as you select Open Connection. There is the possibility to specify a default login, which will be used every time you connect to a machine. Leave it blank if you do not require a default login.
Examples:
Problem: you are working in a team on a remote project. You have to share files often and find this difficult/tedious. Most members of the group have access to a Mac.
Solution: select the member with access to the most powerful Mac. Install EasyTransfer-Server as start-up application. Make it active and set up a list of all members in the group, possibly with different access privileges. Don╒t forget to tell all members of the group the address of the Server-Mac.
Problem: you want to share a Mac file with others, but expect only minor interest. Rather than posting the binary in the news (and gobble up bandwidth), post something like ╘Hey, I╒ve got this.... EasyTransfer it from [your Mac], use [name]. Access is restricted from 8am to 8pm╒.
Limitations
EasyTransfer is not meant to be a substitute for e-mail etc. It certainly makes no attempt to create a sophisticated Mac based mail system. It is merely providing a quick and easy means of sharing files.
Copyright
EasyTransfer and EasyTransfer-Server are copyright ⌐ 1992 Christopher
Reid. There is absolutely no warranty on either application. It is clearly understood that using EasyTransfer or EasyTransfer-Server is entirely on your own risk.
Registration
If you use EasyTransfer or EasyTransfer-Server, then I expect you to send me US$10, or the equivalent. Please send no cheques (except Euro-cheques). Any site/ business etc. should contact me first.
Send to:
Christopher Reid
4/1, 4 Dalcross Pass
Glasgow G11 5RA
Scotland
Please contact me at cr@cs.strath.ac.uk to let me know of any suggestions or if you need help. Registered users will receive future updates free of charge. I am always pleased to hear criticism/bug reports etc. I am committed to fix bugs as soon as they are reported to me.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Internet and MacTCP guru Peter N. Lewis, Australia, without whom I would not have been able to produce this. Peter, you╒re a great guy!
