FTP - Why does free software hate me?

Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Okay, I want an FTP client of some sort, I've had several, but only the demo of Fetch actually works, and it's expired now. All the others, usually find the server, but won't show any of the files, and just keep me waiting for ages trying to get to my home directory.



Either: what's the prblem and how do I fix it.



Or: how do I connect to the server in the finder, (is the bug gone yet)



Or: Can you suggest a free FTP client that might work.



Please help me.



Andrew

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 17
    chychchych Posts: 860member
    Fetch seems to be the only one that worked for me too, but the registration thing, yeah...



    So I just use command line ftp now (type ftp in terminal).



    Finder FTP occasionally works; Go menu, connect to server, type in <a href="ftp://address."; target="_blank">ftp://address.</a>;
  • Reply 2 of 17
    quaremquarem Posts: 254member
    After several years of fighting those same bugs in GUI based FTP clients I decided to try the terminal. I did and I haven't looked back: it always works. But I would recommend ncftp over ftp, it features bookmarks and other subtle things that make using it a joy.



    You can use Fink to get it or you can get it <a href="http://www.ncftp.com/"; target="_blank">here.</a>
  • Reply 3 of 17
    i've never had a problem with transmit myself. been using it for years without a hitch.
  • Reply 4 of 17
    chychchych Posts: 860member
    [quote]Originally posted by running with scissors:

    <strong>i've never had a problem with transmit myself. been using it for years without a hitch.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Except it isn't free...





    The only problem I have with command line ftp though is the lack of file transfer queue's (mget works but not as well as I'd like, as file names have to be similar). Or I just don't know how to use ftp. Does ncftp let you do this?
  • Reply 5 of 17
    mrugmhmrugmhrumgh - command line <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

    I really am a GUI person.



    Has no on at apple realized yet that the FTP access just doesn't work?



    And why do so many other application just not work either? Who Do these things work for?
  • Reply 6 of 17
    overhopeoverhope Posts: 1,123member
    Finder FTP has always worked as intended in Jaguar for me: it seems there was some policy decision taken when it was written to make FTP servers on the Desktop read-only (no, I have no idea why, and yes, it is lame as hell), and I really hope this is reversed sometime soon: there's so much power waiting to be unleashed there, and if iDisks support two-way traffic on the Desktop, I don't see why FTP servers should be any different.



    Of course, there is always the option to actually pay for Fetch: works a treat here...
  • Reply 7 of 17
    giaguaragiaguara Posts: 2,724member
    use terminal.



    for example...

    ftp ftp.digiland.it



    then tell it your username and then your password .. and you are in. get a list of commands to see what server they are using.





    i used fbrowset lite (free) and it's quite good, sometimes having a grpahical nterface may be better than terminal. what is weird, after the new year some ftp accounts don't allow me to log in with bbedit (error 22714 = ????) nor with rbrowser, but with terminal yes. Maybe the service (on those servers) has changed without notice.

    But rbrowser lite works elsewhere.
  • Reply 8 of 17
    CaptainFTP really worked for me.. You might want to check it out..
  • Reply 9 of 17
    mcqmcq Posts: 1,543member
    LiFTP - <a href="http://www.liftp.net"; target="_blank">http://www.liftp.net</a>;
  • Reply 10 of 17
    ibrowseibrowse Posts: 1,749member
    [quote]Originally posted by T'hain Esh Kelch:

    <strong>CaptainFTP really worked for me.. You might want to check it out.. </strong><hr></blockquote>



    I second it.
  • Reply 11 of 17
    [quote]Originally posted by chych:

    <strong>



    Except it isn't free...





    The only problem I have with command line ftp though is the lack of file transfer queue's (mget works but not as well as I'd like, as file names have to be similar). Or I just don't know how to use ftp. Does ncftp let you do this?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    true, but you can keep using it as long as you like if you don't mind the little reminder to register at start up. i used it like that for a couple of years or more before i finaly broke down and bought a copy out of guilt. $24 i think. nice piece of software in my opinion.
  • Reply 12 of 17
    ast3r3xast3r3x Posts: 5,012member
    how much is fetch? i'm sure its worth it, least i think it is because it works amazingly...makes me wish i bought it...*ponders*
  • Reply 13 of 17
    [quote]Originally posted by MCQ:

    <strong>LiFTP - <a href="http://www.liftp.net"; target="_blank">http://www.liftp.net</a></strong><hr></blockquote>;



    Thank you!, well, if this goes out of alpha into something expensive, then i've learnt how to use the command line ftp until finder ftp works.



    Yes I'm a cheapscate, but I have to save up for the more important things in life, like 5.1 systems and graphics cards.



    Andrew
  • Reply 14 of 17
    trowatrowa Posts: 176member
    I've had no problems using RBrowserLite. And it's free. Seems to get the job done for me.
  • Reply 15 of 17
    123123 Posts: 278member
    [quote]Originally posted by chych:

    <strong>

    The only problem I have with command line ftp though is the lack of file transfer queue's (mget works but not as well as I'd like, as file names have to be similar). Or I just don't know how to use ftp. Does ncftp let you do this?</strong><hr></blockquote>



    Yes, it lets you download in the background (also queue and schedule your downloads). You can also bookmark servers etc.



    Only problem is that it neither supports sftp nor ftps (which I both need).
  • Reply 16 of 17
    jmoneyjmoney Posts: 133member
    Wow fun topic, I gotta tell you when I'm doing sites I have tried numerous times to use the builtin FTP client in Dreamweaver MX, but it always hangs and gives me that "Waiting for Server.." So I actually dropped my $25 down for Fetch and I haven't had 1 bit of trouble. Fetch is reliable, easy to use, and just a great deal for $25. I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but if you like Fetch so much, why not just bone up the $25 for a legit key and be on your way? I know it's not free, and maybe OS X should come with a free GUI based FTP client, but the fact of the matter is, it doesn't. So if you have already found a program that works, and you like.. wouldn't it make sense to pay for it, and help the developers continue making quality products? If nobody bought software, we'd never have software..



    :cool:
  • Reply 17 of 17
    Yeah, but I have a very low budget becuase I spend it all on not pirating software, and it's only highschool type income to begin with.



    Anyway, lifTP works fine, and I don't need sftp or anything like that, I don't even know what it is.



    Andrew
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