-
CNET editors' rating:
4.5
stars
Outstanding
Detailed editors' rating -
Average user rating:
Write your own review - See all user reviews
Product summary
CNET Editors' ChoiceJun 02
The
good: SSL encryption, directory synchronization, and automation scripting; wizards and tutorials for beginners; excellent overall performance.
The
bad: Difficult-to-use scripting engine.
The
bottom
line: WS FTP Pro 7.5 combines outstanding features, ease of use, and performance to make it the best FTP client around.
Specifications: License qty: 1 user ; License type: Complete package ; Min Operating system: Microsoft Windows NT , Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition , Microsoft Windows XP , Microsoft Windows 2000 , Microsoft Windows 98 ; ; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/05/2002
Two views
The installation process for WS FTP Pro places two icons on your desktop: WS FTP Pro and WS FTP Explorer.
Click the WS FTP Pro icon, and the program launches a traditional-looking FTP interface with two parallel windows. The left window displays files and directories on your local machine, and the right shows those on a remote FTP server. To transfer files either direction, just click a file or directory in either pane, then click the arrow in the middle pointing to the other frame.
The WS FTP Explorer icon, on the other hand, launches a more Windows-like interface. This view mimics that of Microsoft's Windows Explorer, with the directory structure of both the local drives and the FTP server on the left. Select a drive or server, and the files and folders within show up on the right. Though the Explorer version offers easier folder navigation, we find the traditional interface more useful because it lets you see the contents of both directories simultaneously; this way you can make sure you're not replacing files.
Help for first-time users; tools for advanced users
With version 7.5, WS FTP Pro introduces an array of features for novices. The Assistance Center, accessed via a button on the remote-host dialog box, offers step-by-step, illustrated help and includes a wizard that guides you through the process of entering an FTP site. The program itself comes preloaded with dozens of interesting anonymous FTP sites.
WS FTP 7.5 also supports 128-bit SSL encryption for secure connections and the ability to resume disconnected file transfers--handy if, say, your ISP disconnects you in middownload. The directory-synchronization feature, the WS FTP Synchronize Utility that's accessed through the Tools menu, lets you automatically sync your PC directory with the FTP server or vice versa. You can even use the program's scheduling tool to automate this synchronization process or perform automatic backups on a remote PC. Unfortunately, the software's scripting feature, which lets you create macros to perform complex functions, is extremely difficult to use. It requires you to hand-code commands using a scripting language. Continue reading
User reviews
-
Average user rating:
0 stars
Not yet available
Back to product review - My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 3 of 3 user reviewsSee all 3 user reviews
-
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
- See all 3 user reviews Write review
