REGION 10/15 Binkd/FTP Mail Services

*  There is a binkd server at binkd.region15.net. Email me first, if you plan to use IREX or another binkd client.

The FTP HOW TO Instructions:

-  It doesn't matter what software you use for your FidoNet front-end
or what operating system you run under.  All you need is an Internet
account from which you can FTP.  A dial-up Shell or SLIP/PPP account
is fine, for example.

Getting Started: 

- Set up your local Internet account. 

- You will simultaneously be setup on my ftp machine as well as 
my normal fidonet mailer.  That way, in times of trouble, you may 
always have the option of picking up your mail via normal fido 
mail sessions. 

- The password that we agree upon will be installed for all password
requirements, i.e. fido mail session, areafix, allfix, and ftp
account. 

- I'll then set up your root directory on my ftp server and /IN and
/OUT subdirectories below it. Your home directory will be based on
your Net.Node number for nets or individual nodes or Region number
for RHubs; i.e. Node 1:202/701 will find their home directory as
/202.701 and their IN and OUT directory as /202.701/in and 
/202.701/out. A Regional node (1:10/3 for instance)would have 
/r10.3 as their root and their IN and OUT directory as /r10.3/in
and /r10.3/out. When you logon, you will be *in* your home dir.

- *I* will place a "busy file" in your HOME directory.  My batch files
search for *.bsy so the root name is not important.  This *.bsy file
is used to prevent my system from moving mail from my fido mailer
system into your /home/out directory and also prevents my system from
moving anything out of your /home/in directory into my normal
processing inbound. I will create it for you, however after your
initial session, it will be up to you to "maintain" it.  You will
ensure that it "exists" in your home directory for the entire time
that you are in-session with my ftp server and remove it upon
exiting.  Remember that its presence prevents my system from moving
your mail onto and off of my ftp machine.

What your FTP script needs to do:

  - FTP into my ftp server (ftp.reion15.net)
  - Log in using our agreed upon user name and password.
  - Set BINARY.
  - Post the "busy flag" (send a file called anything.BSY).
  - Change to your IN subdirectory.
  - Send me any files you have for me. (Bundle for 1:10/3 for now)
  - Do "whatever" at your end to note that these files have been sent.
  - Change back to the home directory.
  - Change to your OUT subdirectory.
  - Get any files waiting there for you.
  - Do "whatever" at your end to accept these files.
  - Delete *.* (or *) from my OUT subdirectory.
  - Change back to your home directory.
  - Delete the "busy flag".
  - Log off.

Here is a sample automated ftp script I used for backbone mail with 140/1

(when calling the ftp program in a batch file, do the
following command:  ftp -s:scriptname.ftp)

========  sample script.ftp ==============

open ftp.nwstar.com
10.3
thepassword 
prompt
bin
lcd p:\777ftp
put ihub.bsy
lcd p:\777ftp\ftp-out\nwstar
cd in
mput *.pkt
mput *.*
cd ..
lcd p:\777ftp\ftp-in
cd out
mget *.*
mdel *.*
cd ..
del ihub.bsy
========================================================

Let me know if you have any questions..
take care,

  Brenda Donovan

Page last updated Saturday, November 12, 2005