CPSC 547 - Project I

Internet Research Tools: Gopher, FTP, and List-Servers

Using FTP

FTP is a means by which a variety of documents can be transmitted amongst individuals on the internet. It is relatively easy to use, requiring familiarity with only a few basic commands. FTP also allows an individual to make documents available to a larger community through the use of Anonymous FTP sites. A further benefit of FTP is its ability to transmit binary files. This makes it much more powerful than gopher or e-mail.

For example, suppose one wanted to get some information on current research being done in mathematics at the University of Houston. One would first logon on to their site using FTP, and then navigate through the accessible directories until the document of interest was found. At this time, the document could be copied into one's own directly.

The primary problem with FTP is locating sites in the first place. Searching can be done using a tool such as Archie, however one still usually needs to know the file name in order to locate a document. Often the only way to locate FTP sites is to use a conventional Web Searcher and then select those items which are FTP sites as opposed to standard Web Pages. Fortunately, there are several home pages devoted to providing links to interesting FTP sites. However, most of these do not have search engines and provide links to only those site deemed interesting by the page's author. This makes researching on a specific topic difficult.

Of course, the times when an individual would actually want to limit themselves solely to FTP are rare. And thus, FTP mostly serves as a convenient tool that is used as necessary.

Using Gopher

Gopher is a software program which allows the user to easily search through a TCP/IP internet. Users navigate by clicking on links of interest until a desired document is found. The primary difference between gopher and the World Wide Web, is that hyperlinks, and graphics are not directly tied into the text. Furthermore, interface design is not inherent to retrieved documents. In effect, gopher is a subset of the World Wide Web. This, however, does not necessarily reduce its effectiveness as a research tool.

Fig. 1 - Using Netscape to navigate Gopher files

That gopher "pages" are very much like simple Web Pages is demonstrated by the fact that one may use an ordinary Web Browser, such as Netscape, to navigate through gopher pages (see Fig. 1). Notice how, in the above example, audio and graphic files are still accessible.

The only interactivity available using gopher is the ability to search using a facility such as Veronica. Search capabilities are quite good, although it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly which Veronica server is best. For example, selecting the main Veronica gopher reveals a choice of five different servers. There is an option to choose a simplified Veronica that automatically selects a server, but it is not clear as to how effective this might be.

As an example, suppose one was trying to find information on Multimedia. Likely, that person would perform a search using one of the veronica servers. Having done so, about 150 entries come up; some of which are further links, while others are documents. It is interesting to note that most of the documents contained little in terms of substance; much of the information being oriented towards the hobbiest. In contrast, if one was to search on a subject such as Mozart, a large number of related documents come up - many of which contain information of substance.

Using List-Servers

List-Servers provide an excellent means for dialogue to occur amongst people with a similar interest. All one has to do is subscribe to a List-Server of interest and then send it mail, just as one would e-mail an individual. All mail sent to the List-Server, is compiled and automatically distributed amongst the other subscribers. In this way, answers to submitted questions can be given by other subscribers. This is an ideal way for a collection of professionals, scholars, or hobbiest to share information and advance their field.

As far as research is concerned, List-Servers provide an excellent means for establishing the most-up-to date research trends for a particular field of study. It is also an easy way of getting specific research advice, such as source recommendations.

Other Topics

• Overview
• Archie
• EMail
• Internet Relay Chat
• Newsgroups
• Talk
• World Wide Web