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NetPenguin is a FTP client for BeOS. Some of its features are:

  • Nice and straight forward user interface.
  • Support for localization. Comes in English, French, German, and Japanese.
  • Fast.
  • Resume download support.
  • Multithreaded- allows multiple connections.
  • Drag and Drop support.
  • Opens up a seperate connection to the server to download or upload files/directories.
  • Recursive downloads and uploads of files and directories.
  • Shortcut management.
  • Multiple Retry logins.
  • Proxy Support.
  • Available for both PPC and x86 versions of the BeOS.



You can read a start of the NetPenguin documentation that may answer some of your questions.

NetPenguin supports transfering the attributes of BeOS files when it is connected to Campus. If you would like to learn more about the FTP extension to the FTP protocol you can read about it here.

The current Release version of NetPenguin for BeOS Release 4.5 is 1.64

You can view screen-shots of NetPenguin if you wish.

Version 1.64 has just been released ( May 7, 2000 ). It will be a couple of days before it shows up at Be's ftp site.

NetPenguin is CharityWare. What does that mean? It means if you like using NetPenguin and would pay to keep using it, then you should donate $10 to your favorite charity. NetPenguin will no longer expire after 30 days and you will no longer require a serial number.

I am already working on a dozen features for version 2.0. NetPenguin will continue to be updated and enhanced.





Uploaded with NetPenguin If you use NetPenguin to upload your web files, you can now bless your pages with the "Uploaded with NetPenguin" button. Just make sure you make it link to http://www.desertnights.com/netpenguin.html.

You can download the PPC and x86 versions of NetPenguin version 1.64 for Release 5 at:
Note: This will ONLY run under BeOS Release 4.5 and later.



1.64 PPC not available yet
x86 BeOS R5 BeOS R4.5


1.63 PPC not available yet
x86 BeOS R5 BeOS R4.5

You can download the PPC and x86 versions of NetPenguin version 1.6 for Release 4.5 at:
Note: This will ONLY run under BeOS Release 4.5.



1.6 PPC ftp.be.com local
x86 ftp.be.com local





Fixed/implemented in version 1.63:

  • The File Preview will not show more information about images being previewed.

Fixed/implemented in version 1.6:

  • Fixed bug: transfer items get removed when the preference "Remove Transfer Item..." is checked..
  • NetPenguin is no longer shareware, it is now CharityWare. Donate $10 to your favorite charity.

Fixed/implemented in version 1.5.1:

  • Fixed a bug to workaround Solo's directory listing.

Fixed/implemented in version 1.5:

  • Final:
    • Thanks to Frederic SAVOIR , we now have NetPenguin in French.
    • Thanks to Rector Studio for translation the documentation and README to Japanese.
    • Fixed some minor bugs.
  • Beta 6:
    • This should be the last beta for this version.
    • Rewrote some of the ftp code, so NetPenguin should be compatible with most servers.
    • NetPenguin has been translated to Japanese thanks to Hideki Naito.
    • Fixed problem with recursive directory downloads when using a seperate connection.
  • Beta 5:
    • Added Support for OS/2 server thanks to Ben Bowers' assistance.
    • Added support to transfer Attributes when connected to the < A HREF="http://www.stegemann.net/Products/Campus.html"> Campus ftp server version 2.2 that is written by Stegemann & Co.
    • Added localization support. Language files are stored in /boot/home/config/settings/_LP_x-zeid-NetPenguin/Localization. The info is stored in files as resources. So all you need is a resource editor to modify the strings. If you do a translation and would like it to be included in future releases please email me, <derhally@desertnights.com>.
    • Thanks to Stephan Kaps, http://www.stephan-kaps.de , we now have a version of NetPenguin in German.
    • NetPenguin is now font/color sensitive because it now uses Marco Nelissen's excellent liblayout.
    • Fixed problem when dragging shortcuts and no visual feedback is shown.
    • Fixed problem with wuftpd servers.
  • Beta 4:
    • Fixed bug with transfer rate when resume downloading.
    • The method of renaming a remote file is the same way as for local files. You no longer get an extra window.
    • I've finally fixed the multiple file selection. Hold down the shift key to select files that are not adjacent. Hold down the ALT or Command key to select a bunch of adjacent files at once.
    • Fixed problem when connecting through Proxy servers.
    • Fixed bug where you couldn't be able to drag the item you selected by typing its letters.
  • Beta 3:
    • I have been somewhat busy with my day job so this update doesn't have as many features/fixes as it should. Hopefully the next version will have more to offer. Sorry.
    • Fixed memory leak.
    • You can now save the local directory as part of the shortcuts.
    • Fixed crasher when trying to resume download.
  • Beta 2:
    • Fixed bug with reconnecting and not starting in the same directory as you were.
    • Fixed bug with with window popping up when passing the "-deskbar" option.
    • Fixed bug which slowed down transfers.
    • Fixed bug when trying to download a symlinked file by drag & drop.
    • Fixed crashing bug when switching directories.
    • Fixed crashing bug when specifying a file to download.
    • Fixed crashing bug when quiting.
    • Column sizes are now remembered.
    • NetPenguin will now ask the user to confirm the closing of a window if transfers are in progress.
    • Downloads now will automatically be downloaded into the current local directory.
    • Hold down the control key when clicking on download to select a separate folder to download to.
    • The directory listing is now parsed while it is being downloaded.
    • Changed color for the download arrow to blue.
    • Filename is now truncated when necessary in the transfer list.
    • Transfer list will now scroll to the next added item like it used to.
  • Beta 1:
    • Changed the interface a little bit. No more transfer list window (it is part of the connection window now. Also made stuff look prettier.
    • Fixed bug with having passwords that contain '@' in them.
    • Fixed bug with parsing url.
    • Fixed bug with passing a url to a file when connecting. It will download it now.
    • Bunch of other bug fixes.
    • Added ability to show and hide dot files (Files that begin with a "."). You can do this with ALT-B on a x86 box or CMD-B if you are on a Macintosh.

Fixed/implemented in version 1.4 :

  • Final
    • Made the rules for resume downloads less restrictive.
    • Fixed deskbar replicant problem on the PPC side.
  • beta 8:
    • Fixed bug with renaming files. (Thanks Adam Lounds)
    • Fixed bug where multiple entries would end up in the local directory listing.
    • Local directory listing will update entry when it is modified/updated.
    • You can now change the permissions on multiple files at once.
    • The transfer window will now scroll to the newly added item.
  • Beta 7:
    • Added option to preference to hid the Transfer List window on startup.
    • Added support for Tracker addons in WS_FTP layout when you right click on a local file.
    • Fixed a problem with cancelling transfers and time stamps.
    • Fixed crashing bug when viewing a remote file and then trying to issue another command.
    • The Control Window will now hide when opening a new connection. It will come back when closing a connection window.
    • Fixed bug with relogins.
  • Beta 6:
    • Fixed a very stupid bug when connecting to servers using a passive connection.
  • Beta 5:
    • Fixed bug when specifying a path to a file on the command line and NetPenguin not downloading it.
    • Fixed bug in WS_FTP layout where NetPenguin would leave too many file descriptors open. (Thanks Peter Schultz)
    • Fixed bug with getting directory listings from Microsoft FTP servers. (Thanks Peter Schultz)
    • Fixed some connection problems when using a passive connection.
    • Fixed a bunch of network bugs.
    • Fixed the bytes/sec calculation so it is more accurate.
    • Added current transfer rate and estimated time of arrival for transfers.
    • Added a button in in the preference window to reset the preferred FTP handler back to NetPositive.
    • Added Font and Font size selection for the Directory listings under the "Interface" section in the preferences.
    • Added some usefull commands to the WS_FTP layout to manage local file. For example, you can now delete files, create directories, rename files, open files and directories in th etracker, and upload. You can access these commands either through the "Local" menu or through a popup menu which you get when you right click on a file.
    • The status box will now display the amount of bytes it gets when retrieving the directory listing.
    • Added option to keep the connection alive. You can turn it on in the preferences.
    • Modified the log and view file windows so that you can save and print the documents.
    • The view that displays the local files in the WS_FTP layout will now insert files in the appropriate alphabetic order.
    • Ported over to BNetAPI from Nettle (Essentially the same).
    • Now disabled items in the PopUpMenu when downloading using the same connection.
    • NetPenguin will now check to see if you already have an item in the same folder when doing a drag&drop download.
    • Retreiving/Parsing the directory listing is now faster.
    • Better handling of modification dates when downloading files.
    • Now when you save the shortcut, the path is saved just the way the you type it in in the Path box.
    • NetPenguin now checks right after login if the server supports resume transferes or not.
    • We have a new About Box!

Fixed/implemented in version 1.3:

  • Beta 1:
    • Fixed crashing bug when clicking on status bar in the "Connected To:" window.
    • Added Tracker layout option. If you want the "Connected To" window to look like the tracker then this what you want. You can choose the layout in the preferences.
    • Added support for NetPresenz and Rumpus servers. These servers run on the Macintosh.
    • Added support to change file permissions.
  • Beta 2:
    • Fixed bug where NetPenguin would transfer files in ASCII all the time when using the transfer list window.
  • Beta 3:
    • NetPenguin has a new icon now thanks to William Bull. You should take a look at his websote The Artillion.
    • Fixed problem with the way item selection and dragging in the directory listing view worked.
    • Fixed cosmetic bug in the tracker layout window.
    • Fixed problem with windows not saving their positions.
    • Fixed a bug that let NetPositive delete the ".." directory.
    • Added preliminary WS_FTP layout.
    • Added a PopUp menu when you click on the "items" box on the bottom left side of the directory listing. It will list the paths in order. If you select one of them you will be taken to that directory.
    • Added option to remove NetPenguin from the Deskbar. Click on the icon in the Deskbar and select "Remove from Deskbar".
    • Changed the Sound preferences panel. NetPenguin will now look in the users "sound" directory which is usually in "/boot/home/config/sounds". It will display all wav and aiff sounds.
    • Added support to set NetPenguin to be the main FTP client. So if you click on an FTP url in NetPositive, it will sent to NetPenguin.
    • Added new FTP command "move". When using this command you will be prompted for a path to where you want to move the item too.
    • NetPenguin now adds the attribute "META:url" to each file it downloads. This attribute contains the url from where the file was downloaded.
    • You can now reorder the shortcts in the Shortcut window.
    • You can now drag the shortcuts from the Shortcut window to the tracker to create individual bookmarks. If you double click the bookmark NetPenguin should launch and autoconnect to the site.
  • Beta 3 (GM/Final):
    • The local path is now saved when using the WS_FTP mode.
    • Added a "Specify Path" menu item to the "Commands" menu that lets you enter in either a directory to enter into or a file (which can be invisible) to download.
    • Fixed the Upload button
    • Fixed a bug with cancelling a transfer.




Be, BeOS, and the Be and BeOS logos are registered trademarks of Be Incorporated.
The icons used herein are the property of Be, Incorporated and are used by permission.
Desert Nights, Desert Nights Logo, and the NetPenguin icon are trademarks of Desert Nights.
Copyright 1998-1999 © Zeid Derhally