| If you
need permanent access to remote servers, are always on the road, work at
various business locations, are on a business trip or vacation in some
distant location where you only have access to a computer with a small
CPU, hard drive and limited RAM, and are forced to count every kilobyte
and minute online, hate having to avoid cluttering the owner's system registry
with your own data, are used to Norton Commander, turned off by dwarfs
and banners hopping all over your screen, when all you really need to do
is transfer a few files - then this program is a must for you! While
MS Windows contains a built-in
FTP client, it has failed to gain
popularity and can only run in command line mode. All of the above
tasks and more can now be performed by a special application called FTP
Clients, which Vista has designed to be compatible with virtually all
types of server software, including Proxy, Firewall, Sockets 4, 4.5 and
5.
For the record, FTP
(File Transfer Protocol) was originally used in Unix systems to
copy and move shared network files. With the development of the Internet,
FTP found broader application in uploading and downloading online data,
and especially posting websites on ISP servers.
Before choosing an FTP
program, it is crucial to find a solution that delivers the full range
of options for files and folders both on local computer systems and FTP
servers, such as uploading, downloading, moving, deleting and
modifying file properties. All other features are helpful, but non-essential
options which either tend to clutter the interface or duplicate the functions
of other programs.
FTP Commander is simple
to use and ideal for aspiring webmasters. Just the bare minimum with no
extra frills or thrills. It features a no-nonsense interface
consisting of two side-by-side local computer and FTP server panels with
a dozen pre-set FTP servers. It's easy as pie to establish a connection.
All you have to do is select the server you want on the list and push the
Connect button. Pre-configuring a list of most frequently accessed servers
will make your life even easier. The most frequent connections can
be saved and subsequently entered by single-clicking the mouse.
The program occupies far
less space on hard drives and RAM than other similar paid programs.
It also allows you to delete, rename and copy files, create and delete
directories in the FTP server or work in command line mode. A session log
file is also available. And what is more, the program is absolutely free
and does not contain any annoying ad banners. That's basically it
anything else would just be overkill.
Overkill comes in handy
when you're running a professional website equipped with a search engine,
database, scripting facilities executed on a server or other such large-scale
operations. Two-way file exchanges with multiple downloads can also be
executed.
FTP Commander Pro
lets you upload/download data or delete one or more files, including whole
folders along with subdirectories. The transfer interface window shows
what percentage of files has already been uploaded or downloaded.
It can also automatically resume and complete aborted or unsuccessful file
transfers, or periodically attempt to connect with the FTP server if the
previous link has failed.
Standard servers usually
break off a connection automatically if the user is inactive for more than
a specified period of time. The Commander Pro includes a command
that allows you to "keep the connection," which means that retention prompts
are periodically generated to maintain the connection. The program is error-sensitive
and automatically corrects mistakes made by users. It will recognize the
right address even if an entry contains a few errors, wrong symbols or
misplaced spaces.
Service functions include
drag-and-pop, pop-up and a context sensitive menu, which can be called
up by right-clicking the mouse. Advanced users can try working in ftp command
line mode.
If special commands, not
included in the standard list of options, are needed, all you have to do
is go into "Custom Commands", and then save this command for later use.
And last but not least, you will be amazed that such a powerful ftp program
comes in such a tiny package.
The test version of the
FTP
Commander Pro can be downloaded at:
http://www.internet-soft.info/cftp.htm
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