Synchronet v3.21e-Win32 (install) has been released (Mar-2026).

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user:files [2026/05/08 14:25] – New page: File Transfer Section — download/upload/batch/temp directory Claude.Aiuser:files [Unknown date] (current) – external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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 ====== File Transfer Section ====== ====== File Transfer Section ======
  
-The **File Transfer Section** is where you browse, search, download, upload, and manage files on the BBS. In the [[user:shell:classic:|Classic shell]], press **''T''** from the Main prompt to enter it; press **''Q''** to return to Main.+The **File Transfer Section** is where you browse, search, download, upload, and manage files on the BBS. It is part of the [[user:shell:classic|Classic shell]] (not a separate loadable module), so the exact keys and menus depend on which shell your BBS uses — in Classic, press ''T'' from the Main prompt to enter it and ''Q'' to return.
  
-The File Transfer Section is a part of the Classic shell (not a separate loadable module). Its prompt, menus, and navigation are documented on the [[user:shell:classic:|Classic shell]] page; this page covers how to actually use the commands.+This page describes what each feature //does//. Key bindings given are Classic's; other shells may differ.
  
 ===== Libraries and directories ===== ===== Libraries and directories =====
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   * A **directory** is a specific collection within a library (e.g. //Shareware/Windows//, //Shareware/Business//).   * A **directory** is a specific collection within a library (e.g. //Shareware/Windows//, //Shareware/Business//).
  
-Your current library and directory are shown in the File Transfer prompt: ''(1) Main (1) Uploads''. +Your current library and directory are shown in the File Transfer prompt: ''(1) Main (1) Uploads''. In Classic, the navigation keys for moving between libraries and directories mirror the group/sub-board keys on the Main prompt — see [[user:shell:classic#message_area_selection|Classic shell — Go to/navigation]] for the full list.
- +
-==== Navigating libraries and directories ==== +
- +
-  * ''*'' — list all directories in your current library +
-  * ''/*'' — list all libraries +
-  * ''#'' — jump to directory //#// in current library +
-  * ''/#'' — jump to library //#// +
-  * ''}'' / ''{'' — next / previous directory +
-  * '']'' / ''['' — next / previous library+
  
 ===== Wildcards ===== ===== Wildcards =====
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 ===== Listing and searching ===== ===== Listing and searching =====
  
-==== L — List files ====+==== List files ====
  
-Lists files in your current directory. Wildcards accepted.+Lists files in your current directory (Classic: ''L''). Wildcards accepted.
  
-==== E — Extended file information ====+==== Extended file information ====
  
-Like ''L'' but shows extended details per file: uploader name, download time, credit cost, times downloaded, upload/download dates, and any extended description. Wildcards accepted.+Like the file listing but shows extended details per file: uploader name, download time, credit cost, times downloaded, upload/download dates, and any extended description (Classic: ''E''). Wildcards accepted.
  
-==== N — New file scan ====+==== New file scan ====
  
-Lists files uploaded since your last logon. You're prompted whether to scan:+Lists files uploaded since your last logon (Classic: ''N''). You're prompted whether to scan the current directory, all directories in the current library, or all libraries across the BBS.
  
-  * **D** — current directory (quick key: ''ND'') +The new file scan date resets each logoff. To change it temporarily, use the [[#configuration|file scan configuration]].
-  * **L** — all directories in current library (quick key: ''NL'') +
-  * **A** — all directories in all libraries (quick key: ''NA'')+
  
-The new file scan date resets each logoff. To change it temporarily, use ''&P'' (see [[#configuration|Configuration]] below).+==== Search for filename ====
  
-==== S — Search for filename ====+Searches for a filename (wildcards accepted) across the current directory, library, or all libraries (Classic: ''S'').
  
-Searches for a filename (wildcards accepted) across:+==== Find text in description ====
  
-  * **D** — current directory (quick key: ''SD'') +Searches file descriptions for a text string — partial words work; wildcards do **not** (Classic: ''F''). You're prompted for the search scope and whether to include extended descriptions.
-  * **L** — current library (quick key: ''SL'') +
-  * **A** — all libraries (quick key: ''SA'') +
- +
-==== F — Find text in description ==== +
- +
-Searches file descriptions for a text string (partial words work; wildcards do **not**). Prompted to search: +
- +
-  * **D** — current directory (quick key: ''FD'') +
-  * **L** — current library (quick key: ''FL'') +
-  * **A** — all libraries (quick key: ''FA'') +
- +
-You'll also be asked whether to include extended file descriptions in the search.+
  
 ===== Downloading files ===== ===== Downloading files =====
  
-==== D — Download file ==== +==== Download file ====
- +
-Prompts for a filename (wildcards accepted). Matching files are listed one by one; after each you get **download options**:+
  
-  * ''Z'' / ''Y'' / ''X'' / ''G'' etc. — download with the named protocol (Zmodem, Ymodem, Xmodem, Ymodem-G, or whatever the sysop has installed) +Prompts for a filename (wildcards accepted; Classic: ''D''). Matching files are listed one by one; after each you get **download options**: choose a transfer protocol (Zmodem, Ymodem, Xmodem, etc.), add to the batch download queue, skip to the next match, or quit.
-  * ''B'' — add to batch/bidirectional download queue +
-  * ''<CR>'' — skip this file, show next +
-  * ''Q'' — quit back to the File Transfer prompt+
  
 If no match is found in the current directory the search automatically expands to all libraries. If no match is found in the current directory the search automatically expands to all libraries.
  
-==== /D — Download user-to-user file ====+==== Download user-to-user file ====
  
-Downloads a file sent to you personally by another user (if the sysop allows user-to-user transfers). Files are listed one by one with the same download options as ''D''.+Downloads a file sent to you personally by another user (Classic: ''/D''), if the sysop allows user-to-user transfers. Files are listed one by one with the same download options.
  
 ===== Uploading files ===== ===== Uploading files =====
  
-==== U — Upload file ====+==== Upload file ====
  
-Uploads a file to the current directory. After entering the filename you go through the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].+Uploads a file to the current directory (Classic: ''U''). After entering the filename you go through the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].
  
-==== /U — Upload to user ====+==== Upload to user ====
  
-Uploads a file destined for a specific user (or multiple users). After the filename you're prompted for the recipient's name, user number, or partial name; you may add additional recipients before confirming. Then follow the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].+Uploads a file destined for a specific user (Classic: ''/U''), if the sysop allows user-to-user transfers. After the filename you're prompted for the recipient's name, user number, or partial name; you may add additional recipients before confirming. Then follow the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].
  
-==== Z — Upload to sysop ====+==== Upload to sysop ====
  
-Uploads directly to the sysop's private file area (if the sysop allows it). Then follow the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].+Uploads directly to the sysop's private file area (Classic: ''Z''), if the sysop allows it. Then follow the standard [[#upload_procedures|upload procedures]].
  
 ==== Upload procedures ==== ==== Upload procedures ====
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 After specifying the upload command and filename, you may be asked: After specifying the upload command and filename, you may be asked:
  
-  1. Whether the file is part of a **multi-file set** (e.g. disk 1 of 3) — ''<CR>'' or ''N'' if not. +  - Whether the file is part of a **multi-file set** — for example, if you're uploading disk 1 of a 3-disk set, enter ''1/3'' or ''1 of 3''. If the file is self-contained (not part of a set), press ''<CR>'' or type ''N''. 
-  2. A **content rating** prompt (site-dependent). +  - A **content rating** prompt (site-dependent). 
-  3. A **one-line description** for the file listing. +  - A **one-line description** for the file listing. 
-  4. An optional **extended description** (use the built-in line editor or your configured [[user:editor:|external editor]]; ''/S'' to save). +  - An optional **extended description** (use the built-in line editor or your configured [[user:editor|external editor]]; ''/S'' to save). 
-  5. **Upload options**: choose a protocol (''Z'', ''Y'', ''X'', etc.) or ''B'' to add to the batch upload queue; ''Q'' to abort.+  - **Upload options**: choose a protocol (''Z'', ''Y'', ''X'', etc.) or ''B'' to add to the batch upload queue; ''Q'' to abort.
  
-==== R — Remove / edit file ====+==== Remove / edit file ====
  
-Remove or edit the description of any file **you uploaded**. You cannot remove files uploaded by others.+Remove or edit the description of any file **you uploaded** (Classic: ''R''). You cannot remove files uploaded by others.
  
 ===== Batch file transfers ===== ===== Batch file transfers =====
  
-The batch queues let you collect multiple files for a single transfer session:+The batch queues let you collect multiple files for a single transfer session. When a download or upload command offers the batch option, selecting it adds the file to the appropriate queue instead of transferring immediately. In Classic, press **''B''** from the File Transfer prompt to open the **Batch File Transfer** menu:
  
-  * When a download or upload command offers option ''B'', selecting it adds the file to the appropriate queue instead of transferring immediately. +  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
-  * When your queues are ready, press **''B''** from the File Transfer prompt to open the Batch/Bidirectional menu:+  │ Batch File Transfer Menu                 │ 
 +  ├────────── Upload/Download Files ─────────┤ 
 +  │  U  Upload files in upload queue         │ 
 +  │  D  Download files in download queue     │ 
 +  ├──────── Batch Queue Management ──────────┤ 
 +  │  L  List files in batch queues           │ 
 +  │  R  Remove files from batch queues       │ 
 +  │  C  Clear batch queues                   │ 
 +  ├──────────────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  Q  Quit to File Transfer menu           │ 
 +  └──────────────────────────────────────────┘
  
-^Key^Action^ +===== Temp directory =====
-|''B''|Start bidirectional transfer (upload and download simultaneously)| +
-|''U''|Upload all files in the upload queue| +
-|''D''|Download all files in the download queue| +
-|''L''|List files in both queues| +
-|''R''|Remove specific file(s) from a queue| +
-|''C''|Clear all files from upload or download queue| +
-|''Q''|Quit back to File Transfer prompt|+
  
-**Bidirectional transfers** let you upload and download at the same time using protocols like Bimodem or HS/Link — effectively doubling throughput when you have queues in both directions.+The **Temp Directory** is a scratch area for extracting files from archives and building custom download bundles. If you need only a single file from a large archive — say, one font from a 1 MB ZIP — you can extract just that file and download it rather than transferring the whole archive. This works with nested archives too: if ''FONTS.ZIP'' contains ''BLUE.ZIP'', which in turn contains ''FILE1.FON'' and ''FILE2.FON'', you can drill into the nested archive and download only ''FILE1.FON''.
  
-===== Temp directory =====+In Classic, press **''T''** from the File Transfer prompt to open the **Temp Directory Command** menu:
  
-The **Temp Directory** is a scratch area for extracting files from archives and building custom download bundles. Press **''T''** from the File Transfer prompt to open it.+  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ 
 +  │ Temp Directory Command Menu                      │ 
 +  ├─── Extract from Archive ─────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  E  Extract from archive in any directory        │ 
 +  │  X  Extract from archive in temp directory       │ 
 +  ├─── Create List ──────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  N  List of new files                            │ 
 +  │  F  List of all files                            │ 
 +  ├─── Temp Archive ─────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  C  Create temp archive                          │ 
 +  │  D  Download temp archive                        │ 
 +  ├─── Other Commands ───────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  L  List files in temp dir                       │ 
 +  │  I  Information on files                         │ 
 +  │  V  View archive contents                        │ 
 +  │  R  Remove files from temp                       │ 
 +  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  Q  Quit to transfer menu                        │ 
 +  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
  
-^Key^Action^ +===== Information =====
-|''E''|Extract files from an archive into the Temp Directory| +
-|''N''|Create ''NEWFILES.TXT'' — a new-file scan listing| +
-|''F''|Create ''FILELIST.TXT'' — complete list of all files on the BBS| +
-|''A''|Add files to (or create) the Temp File bundle to download| +
-|''D''|Download the Temp File bundle| +
-|''I''|Show information on files in the Temp Directory| +
-|''V''|View contents of an archive in the Temp Directory| +
-|''X''|Extract from a nested archive in the Temp Directory| +
-|''L''|List all files in the Temp Directory| +
-|''R''|Remove file(s) from the Temp Directory| +
-|''Q''|Quit back to File Transfer prompt|+
  
-The typical flow to download a single file from inside a large archive:+In Classic, **''I''** from the File Transfer prompt opens the Information menu:
  
-  1. ''E'' — extract from the archive into Temp. +  ┌───────────────────────────────────────┐ 
-  2. ''A'' — add the specific extracted file(s) to the Temp bundle. +  │ File Section Information Menu         │ 
-  3. ''D'' — download the bundle.+  ├───────────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  Y  Your file transfer statistics     │ 
 +  │  T  File transfer policy              │ 
 +  │  D  Information on current directory  │ 
 +  │  U  Users with access to current dir  │ 
 +  ├───────────────────────────────────────┤ 
 +  │  Q  Quit to File Transfer menu        │ 
 +  └───────────────────────────────────────┘
  
-Creating ''NEWFILES.TXT'' or ''FILELIST.TXT'' (''N'' or ''F'') **clears** any existing files in the Temp Directory first.+**''Y''** — Your file transfer statistics — shows your upload/download totals, credit balance, and time bank:
  
-===== Information =====+  Usage Statistics for ExampleUser #42 
 + 
 +  First on : Jan01'25   Expire  : never       Last on  : May08'26 04:41 pm 
 +  Time on  : 2h 15m     Today   : 00:17       Last call: 0        Extra: 0 
 +  Logons   : 128         Today   : 3        50 Posts    : 47       2 Today: 0 
 +  E-mails  : 12          To sysop: 1           Waiting  : 0          Today: 0
  
-**''I''** from the File Transfer prompt opens the Information menu:+  Uploads  :     12.4M bytes in 8 files 
 +  Downloads:    487.2M bytes in 203 files (2.1M bytes in 3 files today) 
 +  Credits  :     10.0M free: 50.0M (50.0M per day) 
 +  TimeBank :        0m
  
-  * **''T''** — BBS file transfer policies (rates, upload credits, rules) +**''T''** shows the sysop's file transfer policies (credit costs, upload rules, etc.). **''D''** shows the name, description, and statistics for your current directory. **''U''** lists the security level and access groups required to use the current directory.
-  * **''D''** — information about the current directory +
-  * **''U''** — list of users with access to the current directory +
-  * **''Y''** — your file transfer account statistics (credits, uploads, downloads) +
-  * **''Q''** — quit back to File Transfer prompt+
  
 ===== Configuration ===== ===== Configuration =====
  
-**''&''** from the File Transfer prompt opens the File Transfer Configuration menu:+In Classic, **''&''** from the File Transfer prompt opens the File Transfer Configuration menu.
  
-  * **''B''** — toggle Batch Download Quick File Flagging on/off. When **on**, file listing commands (''L'', ''S'', ''F'', ''N'') show one page at a time with a letter next to each file; type the letter(s) of files you want and press ''<CR>'' to add them to the batch download queue and continue. This setting can be made permanent in [[user:settings:|User Settings]] (''B'' option). +  * **Batch Download Quick File Flagging** — when enabled, file listing commands show one page at a time with a letter next to each file; type the letter(s) of files you want and press ''<CR>'' to add them to the batch download queue. This setting can be made permanent in [[user:settings|User Settings]]. 
-  * **''P''** — Change New File Scan Date/Time. Manually set how far back the new-file scan looks. Resets to your last logoff date at the end of your session. +  * **New File Scan Date/Time** — manually set how far back the new-file scan looks. Resets to your last logoff date at the end of your session.
-  * **''Q''** — quit to Main menu+
  
 ===== See Also ===== ===== See Also =====
  
   * [[user:|User Documentation]]   * [[user:|User Documentation]]
-  * [[user:shell:classic:|Classic shell]] — File Transfer prompt and menu layout +  * [[user:shell:classic|Classic shell]] — File Transfer prompt, menu layout, and navigation keys 
-  * [[user:settings:|User Settings]] — default download protocol, batch file flagging default+  * [[user:settings|User Settings]] — default download protocol, batch file flagging default
   * [[user:ctrl_keys|Control-key commands]] — Ctrl-S/Q/C work during file listings   * [[user:ctrl_keys|Control-key commands]] — Ctrl-S/Q/C work during file listings
  
 {{tag>user files file_transfer download upload batch library directory}} {{tag>user files file_transfer download upload batch library directory}}
  

Trace: • Text File Section