FTP stands for “file transfer protocol.” FTP is best to use when transferring large or multiple files to and from servers.
Fetch, by Fetch Softworks, has been one of the best FTP programs for the Apple Macintosh since long before OSX was even a glimmer in Apple’’s eye. I”ve been using Fetch since the OS8 era but it dates back to “System 7.” That would be close to the automobile’’s Model-T era.
Fetch’’s Core Features
Using Fetch is super easy to use. You first establish an FTP or SFTP connection by opening a connection window (pictured right) and typing in your FTP login information, or by using a saved connection. A window opens (picture #2) to the location you have connected to which then shows the existing files and folders in an OSX finder style layout. From there you can perform many functions such as downloading files, uploading files, deleting, editing files, creating folders and editing permissions.
Uploading & Downloading
Fetch uses simple drag and drop, or icon/menu based controls to upload and download files. To easily upload a file, find the file in a finder window and drag it to the Fetch window. If you drag a folder there, Fetch is smart enough to create the same folder and upload the files and subfolders within. A preference setting for automatically replacing files with the same name makes updating your server or remote files easy. If you aren”t sure if you should be replacing files, that feature can be turned off and Fetch will ask for a confirmation before replacing files.
One great feature Fetch has had for a long time which other FTP clients seem to have missed, is having multiple location or Fetch windows open at the same time and being able to transfer files back and forth between them. To transfer files from one remote location to another with other apps requires a download to your local machine, then opening a new connection and uploading from your local machine to the new remote. To do this with Fetch, you simply have your two remote location windows open and drag files back and forth. This is especially useful when moving from one web server to another or copying multiple files from one server to another. This feature has saved me dozens of hours of hassle when backing up or moving web sites.
Mirror Mirror
I could spend hours typing up all the awesome features Fetch has, so I need to hold back a bit. But the mirror function deserves some airtime. “Mirroring” is where you have two locations and you want the files to be the same in both.
Mirroring is very useful if you are editing or working with files locally but want your remote server to contain the exact same files and versions. Mirroring could also be used if you have a master location and a backup location for safety.
Editing Remotely
The “old” days of of web programming and/or FTPing files were tedious. To edit a text or web file (html, xml, php etc) you first had to download the file to your computer. Then you”d have to use another application (a text or html editor) to edit and save the file. After the file revision and save, you”d then have to FTP the file back up to the remote location.
Thanks to the Fetch, this three step process has been greatly reduced. Now all you need to do is connect to your remote location and double click the file. The file is then automatically edited with the application you select. Saving within the selected application saves the file right back to the server. Three steps are now essentially one.
Widget
MacOS 10.4 and later features mini applications which are called Widgets.
The Fetch widget is a quick and easy way to upload files. Once you have a connection selected in the widget, all you do is drop files on it. Easy.
So many more features…
There are so many more Fetch features. It’’s possible to automate tasks and perform automatic tasks by scheduling them within Apple’’s iCal. Webview is great for previewing files in your browser which you are editing or transferring with Fetch.
Conclusion
Fetch has been around for a long time. As a result, Fetch features a huge array of useful and time saving functions. Fetch’’s maturity also means the application has gone through tons of fine tuning and debugging to insure high performance and minimal problems.
Fetch’’s very easy to use interface and intuitive functions make it my first choice for FTPing, editing and moving files between my many servers. I turn to Fetch for all of my FTP functions for The Mac Space, wether it is backing the site up or uploading new or edited server files.
