The FTP Railroad is just like the CPR and BNR Railroads. It is used to transport Freight Files to and fro.
The Telnet Telephone cannot transport Freight Files. The Telnet Telephone is used to communicate.
For example, let's say I have a computer (read "file") that I never use. My sister, who lives in Boston, does not have a computer ("file"), but she has
just enrolled in an HTML class at the local college. She needs a computer ("file") but she also needs to know how to set it up, configure it, and so
on. I offer to send her mine. She's ecstatic. To send the computer ("file") to her I will need to employ the FTP Railroad. But to guide her through
the set up process (to communicate), I will need to use the Telnet Telephone.
So, I take the computer ("file") to the local FTP station and send it on its way. After she receives the Freight, I call her on the Telnet Telephone
which, like every other Telephone, can only be used for communicating. Using the TT, I explain everything she needs to know to get the computer
("file") running. (A year later she calls to tell me that she has just been hired by a high-end Web design firm in Boston and is earning $110,000 a
year. At that point I tell her I want my computer (("file")) back.)
Now for a few UNIX commands.
After tutees successfully log on to Oscar, I tell them to "ls," or "look and see," what's around. When they see the directory that they would like to
enter, I tell them to "cd," or "check deeper." After they "check deeper," I tell them that they have just entered a dark room. To find out just what is
in the dark room, they again need to "ls," or "look and see." If they have gone into the wrong room, I tell them to "..cd," or take two steps backward
(..) and thereby "..Change Direction." (The creator of UNIX denied me the opportunity of devising an acronym for the send and receive functions
by using the vague terms "put" and "get.")
This concludes the list of UNIX commands that I have been able to corrupt so far. Please let me know if
you come up with any additional alternative UNIX acronyms. Until then, I'll continue my labors during those solitary moments of
stationary contemplation. Thank you.
This description is courtesy of Ryan Miller; he has our thanks.