Fabulous thread on Slashdot about Kermit (the file transfer protocol and application, not the Frog). I remember, back in the day (like, 1993), when using Kermit over a modem was the only way one could deal with the truly astounding line noise on the local phone lines in Charlottesville. Mind, this was over a 2400 baud modem, to which I could actually send Hayes modem codes to improve performance. Remember that? No, of course not. It was in another country, and besides, the wench is dead (Marlowe).
The other thing is, I can’t remember the name of the Macintosh program that I used Kermit over. I know there was a MacKermit, but there were other tools as well, including some that supported the long-demised Communications Toolbox. Man, those were the days.