Lynn's Workplace FTP v1.1, Homeside Software's offering to the ever growing field of OS/2 Internet applications, is a welcome change from this status quo. The basic structure of Lynn's WPFTP, is to represent remote sites on your desktop as folders, with archives (.zip files) represented as zip icons in the folders, much the same way as the OS/2 drives utility does. This saves the end user the traumatic experience of learning a new program.

Installation is done via a simple GUI utility which handles both installation and uninstallation. The install utility offers two choices: install to the C:\OS2 directory, or install to a different directory and manually update the CONFIG.SYS. I found this utility to be the only facet where Lynn's WPFTP smacks of second rate. I bit the bullet and slapped the whole thing into the C:\OS2 directory to save myself another reboot.

The uninstall did not run so smoothly. This is not uncommon to my Hell-born system, upon which many an uninstall has choked the life out of my INI diseased desktop. Lynn's WPFTP, was no exception, and I was gifted with a Trap E (pronounced AIEEEEEEEEE), a CHKDSK and more .INI corruption. YIPEEE!

After a successful install, I ran into a little hassle configuring a destination, but was pleased to find on-line .INF documentation explaining the whole procedure. After performing the hateful rite of reading the manual I was off to plunder some sites.

Since Lynn's WPFTP uses the WPS technology of folders and icons (gif 1.2k), you are saved the dreaded address book problems (you know, erased entries, mistyped entries, forgetting to enter that wonder site you just found, etc.). Site addresses, login names, passwords and other information is entered in a familiar settings notebook (gif 8k). Opening a folder automatically connects you to the site it represents, and navigating through the site is done via opening up the various folders within, which represent the remote subdirectories. Creating a new folder is done the same way you create regular folders on the desktop, by dragging a template or selecting the option from a pop-up menu.

Transferring files is done by right-clicking on the icon and selecting transfer from the pop-up menu. Simple, and easy. When transferring a file, a small status box (gif 5k) is displayed, which gives you normal transfer information--file name, percentage complete bar, seconds remaining, bytes received and total bytes. The compactness of this display affords you the chance to do something else on the desktop without minimizing the transfer window.

Tech support is only available via e-mail. The nice touch is that you will be dealing with Lynn Defenbaugh himself, and not someone unfamiliar with the inner workings of the package. Defenbaugh was not only polite, but prompt. His courteous replies to my e-mail always came before I checked my account again after sending. The phrase, "Read the DOCS you dolt!" was strangely absent from his intelligent answers.

A small note for shareware abusers: the shareware evaluation copy of Lynn's WPFTP will only remain connected to a site for 10 idle seconds, before requiring a re-login. Not a pleasant task, especially trying to log in as anonymous to Hobbes. Can you say 35 relogins? Don't let this scare you away from this software, though; it is well worth the price of $20.

All this functionality doesn't come without a price. On an 8 meg system, especially an unoptimised one, trying to connect to FTP sites while doing anything else can thrash your computer right off the desk. And, of course, users who have opted to replace the WPS will not be able to use Lynn's WPFTP without starting the WPS.

Overall, Lynn's WPFTP is easy to use, easy to learn, and easy to like. Time and attention was devoted to helping the end user be as productive as possible, and not waste on-line time trying to figure out the kinks of some backwards software. Of course, this is the case with any application which the author wrote intending to use himself. At $20 dollars this is a steal, and a must for any connected user.

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