Herb, this  would require extensive  modifications to the code,  all over
the place, and probably the  provision of a multi-tasking system allowing
you to FTP while  at the same time continuing to  work on something else,
since FTP is synchronous and S&F is asynchronous.
 
This does  not mean your idea  is not a good  one, it means it  is one of
these changes  that will eventually  have to be  made but which  can't be
done in just 15 minutes. That is also one of the reasons I have mentioned
for the  split of LISTSERV  - you have just  suggested the use  of direct
connections over the Internet, using TCP/IP protocols, whereas EARN would
suggest the  use of direct connections  over the OSI backbone,  using OSI
protocols...
 
  Eric