WS_FTP
Pro 6.0
$37.50, upgrades for $9.95
30-day evaluation
For Windows 95/98/NT
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WS_FTP Pro is a full featured FTP client that is easy to setup and use. Some of the features that I like best about it are:
- drag and drop support
If I have a file on my desktop or in a folder, I can drag it to my Web site in one step. - audio cues
Sometimes files can take a long time to transfer and the audio cues tell me, even if WS_FTP is minimized, that the transfer succeeded or failed. This has even helped when I've helped people over the phone - I could hear the file transfer. - automatic "re-get"
When the transfer fails, WS_FTP remembers where it left off and continues so I don't have to start all over again. - command-line interface
I can use WS_FTP with scripts and automation on my computer so that log files and other information can be transferred automatically, without my having to monitor it.
WS_FTP also has an "Explorer" interface that makes the FTP sites appear to just be more computers in your Windows Explorer. This way I can build my Web site and edit it, but the files don't have to live on my local machine. I often forget that I'm working on a remote site.
The ease of use and seamless integration into the Windows environment makes WS_FTP perfect for beginners who are used to Windows but don't want to have to learn a new program interface.
FTP Voyager
$37.95, upgrades free for 1 year
30-day evaluation
For Windows 95/98/NT
FTP Voyager offers a lot of the same features as WS_FTP but in a different format. This is a strong FTP client that offers ease-of-use and flexibility. Some of my favorite features of this client are:
- folder synchronization
When you create your Web site locally and then upload it, this "mirroring" capability makes it simple to quickly update the files that have changed - viewing files
The default setting on FTP Voyager is to view local files. This allows you to verify that files on your hard drive are really the ones you want to upload - all you do is double click - FTP site manager
The site manager in FTP Voyager is really robust. It shows you the directory trees for both local and remote systems in an understandable format. Plus, it is easy to open a new connection right from the top menu. - Favorite sites
I have sites that I go to all the time, and these are stored in a drop-down list right near the top of the screen. I don't have to go into the site manager to see them, but if I need another site, the site manager is easy to find and use.
FTP Voyager offers the common features to good FTP clients, such as upload resume, firewall support, remote to remote, and so on. But it's site manager makes it perfect for the person who handles a lot of sites. You can quickly move files from one site to another almost without thinking about it. Advanced users with multiple sites to maintain will find FTP Voyager invaluable.
