diff --git a/src/utils/execmd.cpp b/src/utils/execmd.cpp
index 69270212..3ce3cb92 100644
--- a/src/utils/execmd.cpp
+++ b/src/utils/execmd.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #ifndef lint
-static char rcsid[] = "@(#$Id: execmd.cpp,v 1.14 2006-01-26 17:44:51 dockes Exp $ (C) 2004 J.F.Dockes";
+static char rcsid[] = "@(#$Id: execmd.cpp,v 1.15 2006-01-26 17:59:30 dockes Exp $ (C) 2004 J.F.Dockes";
 #endif
 /*
  *   This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@ int ExecCmd::doexec(const string &cmd, const list<string>& args,
 		if ((ss = select(nfds, &readfds, &writefds, 0, &tv)) <= 0) {
 		    if (ss == 0) {
 			// Timeout, is ok.
+			if (m_advise)
+			    m_advise->newData(0);
 			continue;
 		    }
 		    LOGERR(("ExecCmd::doexec: select(2) failed. errno %d\n", 
@@ -196,7 +198,7 @@ int ExecCmd::doexec(const string &cmd, const list<string>& args,
 			// cerr << "READ: " << n << endl;
 			output->append(buf, n);
 			if (m_advise)
-			    m_advise->newData();
+			    m_advise->newData(n);
 		    }
 		}
 	    }
@@ -297,7 +299,7 @@ const char *data = "Une ligne de donnees\n";
 class MEAdv : public ExecCmdAdvise {
 public:
     ExecCmd *cmd;
-    void newData() {
+    void newData(int) {
 	cerr << "New Data!" << endl;
 	CancelCheck::instance().setCancel();
 	CancelCheck::instance().checkCancel();
diff --git a/src/utils/execmd.h b/src/utils/execmd.h
index fc09e344..d459c713 100644
--- a/src/utils/execmd.h
+++ b/src/utils/execmd.h
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 #ifndef _EXECMD_H_INCLUDED_
 #define _EXECMD_H_INCLUDED_
-/* @(#$Id: execmd.h,v 1.6 2006-01-26 17:44:51 dockes Exp $  (C) 2004 J.F.Dockes */
+/* @(#$Id: execmd.h,v 1.7 2006-01-26 17:59:30 dockes Exp $  (C) 2004 J.F.Dockes */
 
 #include <string>
 #include <list>
 
-/** Callback function object to advise of new data arrival */
+/** Callback function object to advise of new data arrival (or just heartbeat)  * if cnt is 0 */
 class ExecCmdAdvise {
  public:
     virtual ~ExecCmdAdvise() {}
-    virtual void newData() = 0;
+    virtual void newData(int cnt) = 0;
 };
 
 /**