# from perldoc perlipc

eval {
    local $SIG{ALRM} = sub { die "alarm clock restart" };
    alarm 10;
    
    # ftp op here
    
    alarm 0;
};
if ($@ and $@ !~ /alarm clock restart/) { die }
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but this won't make it a background task, just interruptable. oh, and if you're on a doze box alarm isn't implemented.

   larryk                                          
perl -le "s,,reverse killer,e,y,rifle,lycra,,print"