SST: secure, error‐free file transfer package
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044963 |
| Published date | 01 February 1990 |
| Pages | 126-127 |
| Date | 01 February 1990 |
| Author | Steven J. Bell |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Software Review
SST: secure, error-free file
transfer package
Steven
J.
Bell
Reference Librarian at the Lippincott
Library,
The Wharton
School,
University
of Pennsylvania
in
Philadelphia,
USA.
The SST (Super Simple Transfer) package simplifies PC file
transfers by automating modern setup and
using
menus to
conduct transfers. Error-free transmission and data security
are
provided.
SST runs on IBM/PCs, ATs PSI2s and
compatible computers. The package sells for $89.95 from
Interoffice Communications Systems, 606 South Olive St.,
Suite 1420, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA. Telephone:
+1(213)622-5972.
Introduction
SST is designed to facilitate PC file transfers between remote
offices, e.g. a library system with multiple branches. No
knowledge of file transferring or communications software is
needed to successfully conduct file transfers between offices.
Contemporary options for sending and receiving docu-
ments offer varying degrees of speed, accuracy and security.
SST successfully aims for high marks in all of these areas.
SST is designed to make file transfers between PCs 'super
simple.' Here also, the producers have succeeded. Unlike
many communication packages that require users to first
learn about modem communications, and then deal with
sometime-tricky file transfer protocols, SST has made the
whole process virtually painless.
SST makes file transfers as easy as electronic mail or fax.
SST offers simplicity, relatively high-speed transfer, data
security, and the value of sending
a
machine readable file that,
unlike a fax document, can be edited on the keyboard. In
addition, SST supplies a user log of all incoming and outgoing
calls.
However, any software that aims for simplicity will
ultimately sacrifice the flexibility and power that more
sophisticated packages achieve, so SST does have its
limitations.
Automatic setting of modem parameters
There is no special installation procedure. Users just make a
working copy of the software or copy it to a directory on hard
disk. The appeal of SST becomes evident almost as soon as
the software is started up. SST automatically adjusts itself to
work with the modem (a Hayes compatible modem is re-
quired) being used. The package automatically sets parame-
ters such
as
com
port,
parity,
baud speed and modem
type,
and
these options are reset each time SST
is
started.
SST is menu-driven and this also makes the package
simple to operate.
Caller security measures are provided
'Outbound offices' are the ones the home PC will be calling,
and 'inbound offices' are those calling the home PC. Before
file transfers are conducted, the user must identify and supply
phone numbers for outbound and inbound offices. This is
done completing screen-displayed forms. The form for ident-
ifying inbound callers is the more complex of the
two,
but still
a relatively simple
one.
The form identifies the incoming user
and the password they must supply.
There is also a 'Data Access Restriction' (DAR) feature,
which users to specify those sub-directories
a
particular caller
may access. DAR helps prevent unauthorized access to the
user's data files. Also, passwords are always required with
SST to gain access to another PC.
Simple connection process
With outbound and inbound offices identified, the user is
ready to connect the PCs. This is as simple as placing a tele-
phone call to another party. By following the menus and se-
lecting an office to call from the phone directory (created by
completing information on outbound and inbound offices), I
was able to successfully connect two PCs less than one hour
after
I
started working with SST.
Convenient file sending and receiving
Once the PCs are connected, options include sending files,
receiving files, and viewing home or remote
directories.
I
par-
ticularly liked the procedures for sending and receiving files.
If users select sending or receiving from the function menu,
they are prompted to name the file which is to be sent or
received, and to identify the destination drive and filename.
There is no need to identify a file transfer protocol, nor is any
send command required.
SST allows users to send from two to 20 files at the same
time.
If, in sending a file, another file with the same name is
found on the remote PC, SST will automatically rename that
file before it sends the one from the home PC. This helps to
prevent any loss of data. While the sample file transfers I
conducted were successful, the actual speed and accuracy of
the transfers was not tested.
126 The Electronic Library, Vol. 8, No. 2, April 1990
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