One Click FTP, Create FTP Server Transfer Profiles
Many webmasters make use of a local test environment to test changes to their websites before they go live on the Internet. One part of the process is to transfer files to the ftp server whenever they have been modified and tested sufficiently.
While it is possible to initiate those ftp transfers manually, it is often easier to use a software like One Click FTP to transfer files from one local directory to the ftp server with the click of the mouse.
One Click FTP basically allows the creation of ftp profiles, that link local directories and remote directories on ftp servers with each other, so that files can be transferred easily with a few clicks whenever it is necessary to transfer files.
Transfer in this regards means to upload or download files to or from the ftp server.
Configuration of profiles is a one time process, in which the ftp server login credentials, and the local and remote base directories need to be selected. It is then up to the user of the program to select all or only some files and folders for the transfers.
Each file and folder of the local directory can be linked to a folder in the remote directory. It is furthermore possible to configure the program to only process files that are newer than the lost modified date, or that have a different file size. Those settings ensure that only the files that have been modified are transferred, which should reduce the total transfer time of the files noticeably.
One Click FTP offers to transfer files to or from a ftp server in just two clicks, considering that the program needs to be opened first, before the download or upload processes can be started.
The ftp software can be very useful for web developers and other users who regularly download or upload files from the same ftp server.
It is however a big unfortunate that One Click FTP is not supporting the more secure SFTP or SCP in addition to FTP.
Interested users can download the ftp app from the project homepage at Sourceforge. The Open Source tool is available in German and English, and compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems.
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WinSCP works with secure protocols, can monitor folders for changes and is highly scriptable (upload, download and even SSH commands).
On my search for such software I found Fling File Transfer http://www.nchsoftware.com/ftp/index.html
It has a big advantage over the reviewed software, as it integrates into Windows Explorer. Once a profile has been set up, just right click a file and click upload to get it online. Another great feature is for it to monitor folders and upon change of the file, automatically upload.
There’re two disadvantages with Fling though:
– It is free, however, the owner does all it can to let you install their other software. I once clicked a button in the interface of which I did not knew what it would do and immediately had 10 other programs installed. So, look carefully what you click and you’ll be fine (you wont’ spend much time in the interface anyway as you only use it to create a profile)
– I don’t know if the current version still has this problem, but in the past I was unable to download files from my server, it would always screw up those files. Uploading went perfectly fine, just downloading went wrong.
Other than that, I really like this piece of software.