Category : BBS Programs+Doors
Archive   : SF31-2.ZIP
Filename : SFPROTCO.HLP

>>>>>>>>>>>> SPITFIRE FILE TRANSFER TUTORIAL <<<<<<<<<<<<

The "Files Section" of SPITFIRE allows users to transfer files between
their system and SPITFIRE. Downloading is the process of moving files
from SPITFIRE to your computer and uploading is moving files from your
computer to SPITFIRE.

File transfers can be done in a number of ways in SPITFIRE. New error
checking protocols are being added on a regular basis, but the most common
transfer method is XMODEM. XMODEM protocol was originally developed by
Ward Christensen, a pioneer in micro communications. XMODEM is included
in most communications programs. Before talking any more about specific
protocols, lets review the general method of locating a file or program
to download in a SPITFIRE system.

The explanation which follows assumes the SYSOP has adopted the standard
SPITFIRE FILES MENU and is using the recommended prompts. Since SPITFIRE
allows the option of changing the wording on each MENU, you may find some
slight variation of the menu prompts which will perform the same functions.

SPITFIRE allows storing files in different file areas, each of which is
devoted to different types of files or programs. The status line
directly above the Files Menu Prompt tells you which File Area is active.
File areas usually have names like GAMES, UTILITIES, etc., and likewise
contain that type of files. To list the specific programs available
IN THE CURRENT FILE AREA, select the "... List Files In This Area" command.
The complete names of the files will be listed along with file size, file date
and a short description of each file.

After reviewing the files in the CURRENT FILE AREA, you may change to
another area using the ... Change File Area command. Pressing C
will bring up a prompt asking which file area you wish to change to. If you
are familiar with the particular system you are calling you can enter the
NUMBER corresponding to the area you want. If you don't know the areas
available you may simply press or carriage return for a complete
list. After indicating the change you wish to make you may again use the
... List Files In This Area command to display the files available in
the new area.

XMODEM FILE TRANSFER

SPITFIRE supports three variations of the XMODEM protocol called XMODEM,
XMODEM/CRC and 1K-MODEM . One of these three protocols is required if you
intend to transfer files with extensions of EXE, OBJ, COM, ARC, LBR, etc.
Files containing the IBM PC special ASCII characters (ones with ASCII values
above 128) must also be transferred with XMODEM, including Wordstar files.
These files cannot be transferred in ASCII mode since ASCII transfer is only
7 bit and these types of files require the full 8 bit transfer of the data
with no translation of the contents of the file.

XMODEM also offers the advantage of error checking on a block by block basis
to assure that the data sent contains no errors. It does this by adding a
checksum byte to the end of each block of data; the receiver calculates its
own checksum and compares it to the one received. If an error is detected in
the transmission, XMODEM will request that SPITFIRE retransmit the block of
data.

DOWNLOADS ONLY...
SPITFIRE also supports YMODEM BATCH, YMODEM-g BATCH and SEAlink BATCH for
downloads but not on uploads. Watch for the one of the next releases of
SPITFIRE, it will contain these protocols on uploads. The YMODEM-g protocols
are only available if the system you are calling uses an error checking modem
and if you are calling with an error checking modem. However, the YMODEM
BATCH and SEAlink BATCH is available to all callers. YMODEM BATCH and SEAlink
BATCH allows you to load a Batch Queue with a series of files and then
perform a continuous download.

To download a file, you will follow the below listed procedure...

1. Select ... Download from the FILES MENU

2. Select the transfer protocol you want to use by entering the number which
corresponds to it, (i.e. <3> for XMODEM/CRC.

3. Enter the COMPLETE file name. SPITFIRE will notify you if the file you
selected is not available to download.

4. SPITFIRE will indicate how many blocks and bytes are to be sent and the
approximate time it will take to download the file. You then have 45
seconds to start the download.

5. The file will be transferred automatically block by block under XMODEM
until the entire file has been sent. You may abnormally abort the
transfer by sending SPITFIRE an ASCII CAN code (CTRL-X).

6. Please be certain to select and use matching protocol types for accurate
data interchange.

FILE UPLOADING

File uploading to SPITFIRE is very similar to downloading.

Before sending a file be sure SPITFIRE has enough disk space to take the file.
When you select PLOAD at the File menu, the system will tell you
how much disk space is free on the upload drive.

UPLOAD GROUND RULES

You are encouraged to donate programs to this system. Any type of program or
document is welcome, however, a few ground rules are in order. The files
donated must be in the public domain or Shareware. No commercial programs
should be placed on this system. The SYSOP is not responsible for any of the
data that is shared on this system.