FTP is a 1960's-era solution designed to communicate between 'dumb' terminals and mainframes. And the conventional overloading of the protocol for 'anonymous' FTP service is an example of speed and patchwork overcoming design limitations. FTP is notoriously insecure, requiring in many cases bidirectional firewall holes for support, and communicating in cleartext. FTP can be used to damage its own server, and FTP cannot serve forms, and only serves banners with clumsy patchwork. Gopher servers can share filesystems quickly and easily.
Gopher allows for 'cap' files to modify the appearance of the directories being served.
It allows for cgi-style scripts, form submission, and multiple languages. And Gopher easily overlays existing FTP service directories, providing freedom of choice. And in order to provide commercial services, Gopher servers with greater encryption and security features must be developed. Wireless communications developers would be well-advised to look at this venerable Internet protocol when seeking ways to communicate with wireless and handheld devices such as PDAs and cell phones.