NETDUMP -> TECHNICAL INFORMATION - TECHNISCHE INFORMATION

NETDUMP SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

goto> requirement information

NETDUMP RECYCLE BIN (CLIENT)

preferences-> options:

* files which are dragged into the NETDUMP recycle bin are transferred to the FTP server with the best ping times and simultaneously deleted from the local harddisk (either irrevocably or into the windows recycle bin, as per user choice).
* information about the waste package (content, etc.) as well as information about the package¹s origin (waste generator info) can be attached to each waste package in text format.
* the number of package copies specified by the user of the client application is sent with each trash package. this number of copies limits the number of available downloads of the corresponding package from netdump. an option allowing unlimited downloads is also available.

gui-> options:

* the graphical user interface can assume various outfits. although it always remains round, the user can select any graphic to determine the appearance of the recycle bin. the skin manager provides a simple way of changing these graphics and sounds to accompany certain events. standard skin theme (theme = package of graphics and possibly sounds): different colour combinations show the different stati / activities of the recycle bin (greenish: datatrash is being disposed of, reddish: client not online, greyish: client online, etc.). due to the licence fees imposed on the use of the GIF LZW format for gif animations, it is currently not possible to use animated skins. in the event of an art sponsorship of netdump by unisys a licence fee for every installed netdump recycle bin would have to be imposed.
* settings such as 'always on top' or 'launch on startup' are available.

auto-update:

NETDUMP recycle bin automatically checks for new versions of the information concerning supported file formats and for new versions of the recycle bin and for new versions of the collector (if it has been installed). if newer versions are available online, they are automatically downloaded. the update process ends when the client applications are restarted.

planned options for future release:

* combine all files into a single trash package and then send. (-> .zip with external info file/ otherwise all files are transferred separately and immediately)
* the option of attaching copyrights as text, graphics or sounds (or all three, leaving the choice up to the recycling user of the material) to the trash packages. the netdump user who uses this material then has to cite the copyright information in one of the forms in his or her work.

NETDUMP BEHIND THE SCREEN

* the process of automatic waste separation: depending on the file format, the datatrash is is either separated automatically by the recycle bin or the user is asked to separate it. netdump currently has the following waste categories: image formats, 3d graphic formats, font formats, movie or animation formats, sound formats, document formats, database formats, binary formats, archive formats and hazardous waste. these are further broken down into categories of recognised file formats (goto> currently supported file formats/ extensions). if a file format is present in two or more waste categories, the user is asked to designate a target category. if the user does not know which category to choose, the file is automatically assigned to the hazardous waste category. if a file format is not supported by netdump at all, the user has the option of placing the file in any of the categories and the file either ends up in hazardous waste or any of the other categories. if it ends up in any of the other categories, the datatrash is is deposited without classification in special fileextensions.
* a network of ANY NUMBER of ftp servers (-> designed for maximal scalability!) form the actual rubbish tip. different servers hold different datatrash. the webserver stores information about all of the installed ftps. all clients (recycle bin and collector) read this information and check the availability of and connection to the ftps. the fastest connection is selected and the datatrash is deposited there; in the case of the collector the information for deposited datatrash is requested there. the information for the collector includes file name (which automatically includes time and date of disposal), file size and location (ftp server and port) for a number of files restricted by the user¹s search specifications. all of the information files on an ftp server together contain information for all of the files existing on netdump. the information data are synchronised with the other netdump registered ftps by the dumpmaster ftpsync managment system. currently there are two ftp servers available for netdump and two systems for the dumpaster utilites and the synchronisation management.

NETDUMP COLLECTOR

options:

* the following options are available for searching through datatrash: statement of fileextension, statement of waste category, statement of an expression to search for in the file name and statement of maximum file size.
* the options for download are not functional as yet. the following download options are planned: statement of local target directory, streamed preview of some file types.

gui:

* at monitor resolutions of 1152*864 and higher, the mediaplay window appears in the same columnar window as the collector, of which it is a part. at lower resolutions, the mediaplay window can only be displayed as a 'free', independent window. the minimum resolution required for the collector is 800*600. the collector gui always appears on the left edge of the desktop upon launch and can be moved horizontally by the user.

downloaded files:

* before downloading a specific file the user can view the package information (provided this is available): author information, specific waste package information and the number of copies still available on netdump after download. if a file which was selected for download is no longer available on netdump, this is shown in the list of downloaded files. this can happen when another user downloads the last copy of a file from netdump before the dumpmaster management utility has synchronised the information for this file.
* mediaplay is capable of displaying many types of media itself immediately after download. currently around 60 formats are supported (goto> currently supported formats/ extensions). the microsoft mediaplayer is a system requirement, as the collector makes use of some of its functions. (unfortunately, if you try to play damaged trackerfiles it is currently possible for errors to occur in some cases) any files in formats not supported by collector are automatically opened by the relevant viewing application if the user has installed it in windows.
* once a file (waste package) has been completely downloaded or streamed the user can save it to a new directory, erase it or try to view its contents.

planned options for future release:

* free modules, which could be used in realtime applications, installations, etc. to deliver already sorted data (for example, by a specific sound extension) and output this in filtered and manipulated form.
* drawing up of an open standard with the appropriate specifications for the development of new, creative guis (3D, etc.). the collector should only serve as an example of a possible application and should be replaced by new innovations. NETDUMP SHOULD DEVELOP IN A MOST OPEN AND INDEPENDENT WAY.

DUMPMASTER SFFUPDATER

SupportedFileFormatsUpdater is a component of the dumpmaster management suite and is responsible for the automatic installation of new ftp servers for netdump use. it can also register new supported file formats on the available ftps as soon as this information becomes available.

DUMPMASTER FTPSYNCRO

syncro options:

* options for the synchronisation of the netdump network: one sync (a sync), loop, and sync only for a specific directory (=waste category). * in the case of an expansion of netdump, ftpsyncro can be run simultaneously from several systems. this greatly reduces the time needed for new datatrash to become available over netdump. (currently the time taken for new datatrash to become available after disposal is about 15 minutes, running ONE ftpsyncro).

last html-update: jan.20.00 // last content-update: jun.30.00
copyright (c) Gerhard Schwoiger, 1999-2000 // contact: trash@netdump.org