The Bottom Line
FireFTP is a Firefox for Macintosh extension that lets you access a full-featured File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client from right within your browser window, giving you the ability to upload and download files to and from FTP servers. Advanced features such as SSL encryption, integrity checking, remote editing, and directory comparison are included.
Pros
- Gives you the power of most FTP applications without having to leave the browser.
- Account Manager makes managing several FTP profiles a cinch.
- Interface is neatly organized and easy to use, even for FTP beginners.
- Account export feature allows you to access FTP login information from any location.
- File search feature comes in handy when dealing with large directory structures.
Cons
- "Overwrite only if file has changed" option found in most FTP clients is missing.
- Some users have experienced mild CPU slowdown when using FireFTP.
Description
- Selecting FireFTP from Firefox's Tools menu opens an FTP client in a new browser tab.
- FireFTP's Account Manager lets you configure new connections with host address, login credentials, connection type, and more.
- Download/upload options can be set to retain existing case for filenames or to convert them to either upper or lower case.
- Initial destination directories, both local and remote, can be configured for each new and existing account.
- QuickConnect feature allows you to access a server immediately without having to use a new or existing account.
- FTP accounts can be imported or exported to and from FireFTP in the .dat file format.
- Connection settings allow for the use of a proxy as well as user-specified port limits.
- Connection recovery options dictate network timeout intervals, keep-alive settings, as well as retry attempts.
- File transfers can be done in automatic, binary, or ASCII mode.
- Interface settings let you open the FTP client in a new browser window.
Guide Review - FireFTP
FireFTP is definitely one of my favorite add-ons for the simple fact that I can upload files and make changes to my web sites without ever having to leave my Firefox window. The convenience factor alone is more than enough reason to install this extension. However, this is not a dumbed down version of an FTP client. Granted, it does not have all the bells and whistles of some application-based clients but it certainly has enough. With a simple, easy-to-use interface, a solid account manager, and various advanced connection options, FireFTP can definitely stand in the same room as the big boys. Couple that with the ability to run it from a browser tab and what you have on your hands is a high quality extension. Whether you're a web developer, download junkie, or a beginner to FTP, I highly recommend downloading this one today.
