Discouraging results in OS X 10.4.5:

> curl --verbose --ftpport --url "ftp://topo.math.u-psud.fr/pub/lcs/ 
> fb/FBdigests2006/FBD_2006-02.gz" > FBD_2006-02.gz

$ curl --verbose --ftpport --url "ftp://topo.math.u-psud.fr/pub/lcs/ 
fb/FBdigests2006/FBD_2006-02.gz" > FBD_2006-02.gz
* About to connect() to topo.math.u-psud.fr port 21
*   Trying 129.175.50.180... * connected
* Connected to topo.math.u-psud.fr (129.175.50.180) port 21

[A zerolength file FBD_2006-02.gz is created in my home folder, but  
nothing else happens. Eventually I interrupt curl with ctrl-C and go  
about my business]

^C
$


> lynx -source "ftp://topo.math.u-psud.fr/pub/lcs/fb/FBdigests2006/ 
> FBD_2006-02.gz" > FBD_2006-02.gz

$ lynx
-bash: lynx: command not found


Larry, don't give up your day job just yet :-)

Robert P.