Announcing Kermit 95 1.1.21 with SSH and FTP
Frank da Cruz
After two years of development and 2+ months of Beta testing, Kermit 95
1.1.21 is released:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/k95.html
(Be sure to clear out your Web-browser cache before looking at the updated
website -- many pages have been replaced.)
In case you haven't been following the newsgroup or website, the most
noteworthy new features in the new release are:
. An integrated SSH v1/v2 client
. Integrated FTP and HTTP clients
. Automatic highlighting of URL hotspots
. A new Windows-based Internet Kermit Service (NT, 2000, and XP only)
A more complete list of changes can be found here:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/k95news.html
This version was, we hope, our final detour on the way to long-awaited GUI
release. An essential detour, though, since SSH has become a requirement
at more and more sites. Like all other SSH clients, K95's new SSH client
supports public / private key and password authentication, but unlike
most of the others, it also supports Kerberos 5 / GSSAPI and SRP, both of
which are significantly more secure than public / private keys, especially
on Windows 9x/ME with its wide-open file system.
Kermit 95 1.1.21 is available as an upgrade patch to version 1.1.20 (Beta
testers: Before installing the patch, be sure to remove all Betas and
Release Candidates):
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/k95patch.html
All new bulk right-to-copy, omnibus, and academic site license orders will
be fulfilled with the new version, but the retail shrinkwrapped package
still contains the 1.1.20 CDROM; those who order shrinkwrapped copies can,
of course, patch up to 1.1.21 after they install 1.1.20.
Now that K95 1.1.21 is released, our top priority is to obtain a US
Department of Commerce export license allowing us to ship the secure
version outside the USA and Canada. Until the license is obtained, orders
from outside the USA and Canada will be fulfilled by a non-secure version,
as with past releases. When the license is granted, all licensees in all
countries except those countries where USA law forbids, may install a
security patch.
Special thanks to all the Beta testers.
Now on to the GUI! The GUI Alpha test should start within a few weeks.
Everybody who registered for the 1.1.21 Beta is automatically registered
for the GUI Alpha; all other registered K95 users are eligible; watch the
Kermit website or newsgoups for announcments.
Thanks for sticking with K95! Let us know if you have any trouble with the
patches or the new release.
Jeffrey Altman Christine Gianone
Max Evarts Frank da Cruz
The Kermit Project - Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/