Like most webmasters, I use a File Transfer Protocol script regularly. Over the last 10 years I have used over a dozen FTP programs to upload and download files to and from my websites. In the first year or so of working online I used lots of different programs (trial software and a few paid scripts) before sticking with the basic yet very useable Leech FTP.
Though over the last few years I have been using FileZilla exclusively. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, it’s multi platform, which means I can use the same program on my iMac and my Windows laptop (it works on Linux too). This might not be a big deal for a lot of webmasters however I like to have the same setup on all my computers so that the way I work needn’t change.
Secondly, and very importantly, FileZilla is free. Most of the best FTP programs for Mac and Windows give you a free trial but require a payment to use the program longer than 30 days. Whilst I never grudge paying for good software, I always prefer to go with open source software if I can, particularly if the free version is just as good as the paid version. And FileZilla is definitely as good as most paid scripts.
FileZilla boasts such features as:
- Continuous Connection – No need to reconnect if you are away for a few minutes.
- Site Manager – Let’s you save multiple profiles for your sites so you don’t need to enter them again and again.
- Synchronised Directory Browsing – Specify a directory for each site profile so you don’t need to go searching for your files every time you connect.
- Network Configuration Wizard – Helpful for those who are new to FTP.
Courtesy of: http://www.wpmods.com
