 
>>>>>>>>>>>>  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 ZMODEM.  Another file transfer method
is the 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 "<L>... 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 <C>... 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 <ENTER> or carriage
return for a complete list. After indicating the change you wish to
make you may again use the <L>... 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-XMODEM . 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.

SPITFIRE also supports YMODEM BATCH, YMODEM-g BATCH and ZMODEM BATCH
for downloads.  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
ZMODEM BATCH are available to all callers.  These batch protocols
allow 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 <D>... 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 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.

1. Select <U>... Upload 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. 

4. Enter a brief description of the file to be uploaded so
that other callers will have some pertinent information on the
file which is uploaded.

5. When prompted by SPITFIRE that it is ready to receive the
upload, initiate the upload on your end.

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

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.
