FTP OutBox for Windows 95

~buzz Fri, Oct 25, 1996 (03:38) seed

FTP OutBox is definitely an app with potential. While not overwhelmingly solid in its current release, with a few more features it could give CuteFTP a run for its money with respect to uploading files to remote FTP sites. FTP OutBox's fort� is speed and ease of usability -- the client is designed to be the quickest and most efficient FTP uploading program available. Unlike typical FTP clients, you won't even need to run FTP OutBox in order to use it. Simply drag 'n' drop the files that you want uploaded to the FTP OutBox icon and the client takes care of the rest for you, including logging on, transferring the files, ensuring that the files get copied correctly, and then logging off. In addition to drag 'n' drop uploading, you can also send individual files by first right-clicking on the file you want to upload from Explorer and then selecting the respective FTP OutBox from the Send To popup menu. The file is then automatically copied to the remote server. Another of FTP OutBox's great features is the ability to upload a group of files to multiple FTP sites; just select the files you want sent and the FTP sites you want the files sent to and then sit back and watch as FTP OutBox quickly and quitely does its job. While FTP OutBox is outstanding at uploading files, it's by no means a comprehensive FTP client. FTP OutBox lacks the ability to download files from remote file sites. It also won't allow you to carry out low-maintenance changes to remote file sites like creating new directories, changing file names, viewing text files, etc. Despite its shortcomings in these areas, FTP OutBox is an extremely useful client and can obviously make a webmaster's job a whole lot easier. But additional features would undoubtedly make the client even more useful. Most notably, FTP OutBox lacks automatic file renaming on transfer, which would be a major aid in activities like changing *.htm files to *.html or changing mixed-case files to all lower-case upon transfer. FTP OutBox could also benefit from a scheduling agent that would periodically take files from a specific directory (your web files directory) and upload the files that have been modified since the last scheduled upload. Overall, in its early release, FTP OutBox is extremely impressive. I just hope that it keeps improving by adding more usability features. The final analysis -- This is one app that is bound to save you a lot of time and energy, especially if you're an overworked webmaster (who isn't these days ;-). Pros: Quick, efficient app for uploading files to remote FTP sites; extremely easy to use; time-saving features Cons: Lacks critical features like automatic file renaming on transfer and a scheduling agent Version Reviewed: 1.03 Date of Review: 10/24/96 For the latest information on FTP OutBox for Windows 95, check out http://www.stroud.com/95ftp.html#foutbox

~mannfai Mon, Nov 4, 1996 (20:33) #1

I totally flattered that a discussion about my program has been started here. I've drafted out plans to improve on the program. Version 1.1 is scheduled to make its debut by the end of this month (November). Unforunately, none of what is proposed above will implemented in this release. There will be 2 new features in 1.1. It will have GeoCities (a place where they are host our web pages for free, check out http://www.geocities.com) support. The program will automatically append the user's username and password to the end of the HTML file when FTPing their files to GeoCities. This will provide lots of convenience for GeoCities 'residents' as they do not have to manually rename their HTML files when they need to upload them. I have a page in GeoCities and I find it a hassle everytime. The 2nd feature will allow users to optionally view responses from the FTP host while the file is being uploaded. Many more features are planned for later releases. Most of what is suggested by Forrest. Others includes support for proxies, binary and ascii format, uploading of directories, etc.

~terry Mon, Nov 4, 1996 (22:31) #2

Please post something when 1.1 comes out. I look forward to downloading this right away. I have already found FTP Outbox to be an indispensable part of my Windows 95 desktop.

~mannfai Tue, Nov 12, 1996 (21:26) #3

Scheduled uploading with FTP OutBox ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can use Win95's System Agent to help u perform scheduled uploading using FTP OutBox. This is what u'll have to do... 1. Double-click on the System Agent icon to start the System Agent window. (U'll find this in the tray). 2. Select 'Schedule a New Program' in the 'Program' menu. A 'Schedule a New Program' dialog box will appear. 3. Browse and select the Outbox (all outboxes created are found in the ..\Boxes sub-directory) into the 'Program' combobox. 4. Append the file(s) that u want to upload. Eg. c:\FTP_Outbox\Boxes\MyBox.exe c:\MyDir\MyFile.txt The above example uploads a file called MyFile.txt using the box called MyBox. 5. U can use System Agent to select your scheduling preferences.

~mannfai Sun, Dec 1, 1996 (08:22) #4

Version 1.10 has already been released. Please visit http://home.pacific.net.sg/~mannfai/ to download it. New features includes: * ASCII and Binary upload modes support * Scheduled batch uploading * Built-in GeoCities logon and publishing option * Able to view response from FTP host.