Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!dnebing From: dnebing@bgsuvax.UUCP (David Nebinger) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc Subject: Re: The best interface is no interface Message-ID: <7593@bgsuvax.UUCP> Date: 14 Jun 91 14:10:32 GMT References: <676362108.17@egsgate.FidoNet.Org> <12025@hub.ucsb.edu> Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh. Lines: 28 In article , francis@zaphod.uchicago.edu (Francis Stracke) writes: > In article <12025@hub.ucsb.edu> doner@henri.ucsb.edu (John Doner) writes: > >It does suggest an idea, though. Presumably any sort of service can > >be provided over a LocalTalk network via this simple mechanism---i.e., > >using a program that automatically processes files appearing in a > >designated folder. Does anyone have suggestions for services that > >might be provided this way? > > Mail and news jump to mind. The basic argument here is "What is a background task, and what is not." I enjoy using Downline because I consider the unbinhexing, unstuffing, and unpiting to be a background task. I do not discard the .sit files, however, because sometimes I just leave them in that form on disk somewhere. There are a number of things that can be done in the background. Printing is the best example, but other things might include programs that will archive and binhex files moved into a folder, preparing them to be sent out to the net. Others, such as a background virus check on occasion, or a trashcan folder that will destroy the files put into it instead of just making the file appear to be gone. It boils down to what a person feels is a background task. Some might not have liked my ideas because they like to do them themselves, which is fine. There are alternatives to everything one wants to do. David Nebinger dnebing@andy.bgsu.edu