Subject: Re: bin/3011: ftp could be smarter with host:/path and URL's
To: Christian Kuhtz <kuhtz@ix.netcom.com>
From: Jason Thorpe <thorpej@nas.nasa.gov>
List: current-users
Date: 12/08/1996 21:01:56
On Sun, 8 Dec 96 21:49:15 -0700 
 Christian Kuhtz <kuhtz@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

 > [soapbox on]
 > This modifying frenzy around ftp is starting to hit a nerve and really  
 > getting obnoxious.  Already, there is a wonderful, improved ftp client called  
 > ncftp out there and if you want all those options, include it in the standard  
 > distributions.  The ftp binary itself is supposed to be a slender binary, and  
 > not a feature-bloated do-it-all piece of software.

The reason we didn't include ncftp in the standard distribution is:

	(a) it's licencing is unacceptable (may not be used for profit),

	(b) it duplicates the functionality of ftp(1).

The biggest one is (a).

Jason R. Thorpe                                       thorpej@nas.nasa.gov
NASA Ames Research Center                               Home: 408.866.1912
NAS: M/S 258-6                                          Work: 415.604.0935
Moffett Field, CA 94035                                Pager: 415.428.6939