From igc.apc.org!notes Sun Nov 29 15:37:03 1992 From: arni@web.apc.org (Arni Mikelsons) Date: 24 Nov 92 13:15 PST Subject: - Overview of software development To: Recipients of conference "tech.smallsys" Message-Id: <269400017%web.apc.org@igc.apc.org> FIDO - An Appropriate Communication Standard For Africa Africa is a difficult environment for computer communications. A poor telecommunications infrastructure is the largest technical obstacle to successful communication. Few countries have access to the International Packet Switching System (IPSS), and where such a system does exist it is expensive, and often out of reach of NGOs. (See Appendix C: Packet Switching Networks in Africa) Over the past three years many options have been analyzed, these can be divided into three distinct areas: - multi-telephone-line interactive UNIX-based systems such as those used by APC and academic networks in northern countries - DOS-based FIDO systems - other DOS-based systems such as Major BBS and Waffle. Systems which require multiple phone lines, such as the interactive UNIX-based systems used by NGO networks in developed countries, are not appropriate. For example, it took almost two years for the host MANGO in Zimbabwe to obtain a single phone line, additional lines are often unavailable. Bad line quality also makes interactive on- line communication virtually impossible. A further barrier to using interactive systems is the requirement of a skilled Unix system administrator. It is often very difficult for NGO systems to attract staff with these highly valued skills. A capable Unix administrator is difficult to find in a developed country. People with these skills can demand high wages anywhere in the world, in many developing countries NGO-based networks have been unable to keep people from seeking attractive opportunities in the private sector. In South and Central America a number of NGO-operated electronic mail hosts are using both DOS-based Waffle and Unix-based software on systems which support users via a UUCP connection. Several of these systems were created with financial and logistic support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In most cases the local telecommunications infrastructure has been sufficiently advanced to support these systems. However, funding ran out before full documentation and billing systems could be produced. As a result some components of the billing systems from this project may be used at some of these sites. The current consensus is that DOS-based communications software based on FIDO is the most appropriate solution for many African host operators. There are four main reasons for choosing Fido: - the technology optimises the use of few, low quality phone lines - FIDO software is relatively inexpensive and often free for non-commercial use, running on all low-cost computers from floppy disk PC to Macintosh Classic - it is becoming very easy to use as programmers continue to refine it - its message format is such that information can move between FIDO and multi-line NGO, academic and commercial networks which dominate northern networks. Although there are other low-cost, easy to use DOS-based systems in the world, there is no other system that will work on low quality phone lines. Throughout much of Africa it is essential that the chosen software deal with poor quality phone lines. FIDO offers the following features: - the z-modem file transfer protocol which automatically has a high level of resiliency to line noise and satellite delays, and continuously adjusts the packet size to appropriate values; - if the connection breaks while a file transfer is taking place, the transfer picks up where it left off during the next call. This feature is particularly important when transferring large binary files, where the chance of losing the connection over poor quality telephone lines is high; - with a 2400 baud modem, users are reliably achieving transmission speeds of 220 characters per second (cps), even on relatively poor phone lines; - with automatic file compression before transmission (to one third of the original size), it is possible to send or receive about 40 000 characters (about 6 500 words) during a one-minute call. This means that sending an electronic message costs between 1% and 10% of the equivalent fax transmission cost, depending on the speed of the modem and the size of the message; - for about US$700 a high speed modem can be purchased when the volume of communication makes it more cost effective. Depending on the quality of the phone line, a modem such as the 9600 baud Telebit Trailblazer (TM) can transmit data 3 to 8 times faster than the 2400 baud modem. Other reasons for choosing FIDO include: - most NGOs in Africa are familiar with programmes that run under DOS, adding DOS-compatible FIDO software does not require an entirely new set of skills. Whereas, operating a Unix host would require an entirely new skill set. - built-in cost-effectiveness: FIDO was developed in North America and Europe, by computer enthusiasts or "hackers" who needed a low-cost means of communicating and transferring their newest programmes; - an existing user base of over 13,000 FIDO systems means that the technology is well supported; - as a result of research projects in Africa over the past three years there is a growing base of trained system operators and users who are familiar with FIDO systems. - in Africa, where a system is fortunate to get one phone line, using data compression and automated file transfer means that it is possible for a host to support 50 or more regular users on a single mediocre quality phone line.Developments for Sustainable Systems One might wonder why the highly efficient and resilient FIDO technology has not immediately penetrated all over the developing world. One reason for this is that until recently FIDO could be categorized as a "hacker" technology. NGO network operators have been working to make the use of this software more intuitive and user friendly. The work outlined in this proposal will provide the user friendliness and connectivity improvements required for these systems to be truly useful and accessible to African users. Operators of FIDO-based networks in Africa have assembled and tested a suite of programmes. The following steps have been identified as a path toward developing software packages which meet the needs of both users and system operators: - ensure that the chosen suite of programmes for the user software can be freely distributed among southern NGOs; - replace, re-write and modify existing software programmes to meet acceptable standards of robustness, user friendliness and performance; - develop useful documentation and easy installation procedures for user software. The user and host software will be developed in parallel. The user software will be a menu-driven programme. Geared towards people that have limited computer literacy. The current working title for the programmes to be developed is "Easy Link to Fido" or ELF. The host software will be developed in two parts: first, a "host upgrade" to ELF and then an "advanced upgrade". The first upgrade will be for users who are interested in starting a host, while the latter will be for established hosts. All software developed under this project will be released into the public domain. In some cases it may be most cost effective to seek agreement with the original authors of existing software packages to make modifications to their products for inclusion in ELF. If this is done, agreements will be sought to purchase distribution rights for free distribution in developing countries. As is outlined below a design criterion of this project is that the user software must be freely distributed. History and current status of software development The ELF user software will be based on a set of batch files, known as the Front Door Menuing (FDM) system. FDM is based on the Front Door (TM) suite of programmes, which until recently were the most developed available. Unfortunately, despite a number of efforts, an agreement with the author of Front Door could not be reached regarding the free use of the software in the developing world. Also, other programmes have recently been developed which are free, which are as good as or better than Front Door (TM) for the purpose of networking in Africa. FDM has primarily been developed through the volunteer efforts of Mike Jensen, Karen Banks and Arni Mikelsons and has been installed for over 50 users in over 10 countries in Africa and elsewhere. The Global Networking Workshop outlined many of the shortcomings of the user and host software. The following plan for ELF has been developed out of the recommendations of the workshop. System design The new software will be based on the existing user and host software, but will have to be redesigned to incorporate identified shortcomings. These include: - design of user interface for both user and host software including making sure that system prompts and error messages can be translated into French, Arabic, Portuguese etc. (12 days); - design for new functions of user and host features (9 days); - design a compiled version of user software (5 days). The design of host and user software will be done in the short term (0 - 3 months).