Subject: Re: bin/3011: ftp could be smarter with host:/path and URL's
To: None <current-users@NetBSD.ORG>
From: John F. Woods <jfw@jfwhome.funhouse.com>
List: current-users
Date: 12/09/1996 23:19:24
> > Those features is what I'd call 'too far'. No, it wouldn't be hard
> > to, say, use libedit for ftp. But.. it's a file transfer program.

> IMHO I'd say any program which implements a command-line interpreter
> should have the option of using something like libedit to enhance its
> user-interface.  This goes for full shells, and things like ftp(1).

I don't know about taking it that far, but I would argue that the libedit
change is a significantly more useful enhancement than, say, the percentage
bar just added.  Just about every time I use ftp, I mistype at least one
command line; being able to change a typo in a very long pathname would
be very convenient indeed.  However, having ftp entertain me while I wait
for the transfer to finish is of dubious merit; if I want entertainment,
I'll fire up another xterm and play nethack. ;-)

(The one reason I have ncftp on my system is the URL feature, which means
I can transfer a file by just issuing one command line.  That makes it easier
to embed an FTP in a script; the percentage bar is of very little value in
that case.)