Please submit your opinion about FTP features! Thanks!

[Mike77]

Im a web developer and i work all days more than 8 hours a day with php code and mysql.

Until yesterday i always worked with Homesite.

Not because Homesite is the software with the most features or the best support for php, but i love a few things in this program. One of these things is the built in FTP-Client, to browse, create and save files directly where i need it. I always work directly on the remote-files.

If you try to find a Software to work with PHP, then you find a few good programs, but the ftp-client is mostly really bad implemented or just missing.

Yesterday i found this software and if this software will stand my tests then i will propably change from Homesite to Rapid PHP.

Here the FTP-Client is also good implemented. There are just two things i found, that are not so very cool.

- No CHMOD-Change directly in the FTP-Explorer (ok homesite also dosnt have this
- Directly creating new files in the ftp-explorer.

If this will be given, im the happiest coder

Thanks, Mike

[Karlis]

Mike, Thank you for your post.

To create new FTP file, you can use Save to FTP from File manu just like you create new files on your local disk.

As for CHMOD, seems reasonable for me, just need to check out the feasibility.

[EzySetup]

Great feature. Having an editor with the ability to open a file on a remote server, edit it, and save changes is a must-have feature for the application I'm promoting.

There are two features I'd like to see implemented (not to discount the other excellent suggestions):

1) I'd like to see the FTP connection more stable. I commonly receive FTP errors (haven't resolved why yet), to the point of the software being unusable. This happens when other FTP programs still work fine (FileZilla, IE, FrontPage, WS_FTP, etc.).

2) In the FTP mode, when you double-click on a non-supported file type (such as jpg, gif, etc.) then the default editor for that program would launch the file.

Andrew

[DuncanIdaho]

Karlis,

I am evaluating WeBuilder 2005. So far, I am very impressed. I have not had a chance to fully evaluate the built-in FTP client. I use Dreamweaver and UltraEdit-32 and there are things about both of these programs I don't like. WeBuilder caught my eye because of the web development features that are built in. I think it's very cool to have JavaScript, PHP and CSS tools.

As for the FTP client, I agree with the previous post regarding adding a feature to ask to upload dependant files. I also would like to have control over such things as chmod and other FTP commands on the server side (as someone else requested I think).

You have a nice product, here. I must say, I am surprised I have not heard of it before. Keep it up.

[potsofdirt]

I work full time on PHP and web server maintenance. So far I have found only two products that even come close to meeting my need (until today).

Dreamweaver has the Site functionality that allows you to define a local site and the remote counterpart, and allows you to use Ctr+shift+U to upload the current file you are working on to its proper location on the remote site.

The only other PHP editor I have found that can do this is PhpEd, however it is extremely pricey.

I found Rapid PHP today, which supports uploading of a file to the proper location remotely, however they are two drawbacks.

1) You can not assign a shortcut to the "Upload to FTP" command in the Project Manager, it has to be right-clicked manually.

2) The FTP Upload dialog appears in front of everything else, preventing you from doing any other editing while the upload takes place. PhpEd has an interesting solution where the FTP client has a seperate pane where is logs all FTP transactions.

I would buy Rapid PHP right now if it had the ability to assign a shortcut to "Upload to FTP" (which is different from "Publish to FTP"). Issue 2 would also be nice to be resolved.

Keep up the good work!

[nads]

Hello,

When working on a project associated with an ftp... is there an option to save both locally and onto the ftp?

When using server-side scripting that require each change to be uploaded it gets very cumbersome.

Thanks,

Nadav.

[Karlis]

nads,

You can upload to FTP AND save file using Publish to FTP from File menu, it saves the local file and uploads a copy to FTP.

[nads]

You're right, but using the Publish to FTP is very cumbersome. If I want to save just one file that happens to be at the bottom of the Publish to FTP form it takes me a lot longer than it should.

I think there should be a quick keyboard shortcut to save both locally and onto the FTP...

In general, I think everything should be done with the keyboard because using the mouse slows you down a lot....

[SkinCube]

One of our acid tests for choosing whether this app would be useful to me was the FTP integration. It had to work as easily as DreamWeaver, be reliable, and allow me to just open and save to remote via FTP. (I tend to live edit most of the time.)

I've tried literally over a dozen different editors and all have failed in this one key area. This product however, has it exactly right!

I was so impressed I purchased within 20 minutes of using it. As my code partner and I call it, DreamWeaver on Steroids (after having been on a diet to trim its fat off too!)

My partner is also now considering purchasing some licenses for work use too.

[Jon]

Hi and thank for you the best text-editor I've tested in years. Mostly I develop in PHP / XHTML / CSS. I work locally to W3C / WAI standards but need to upload via FTP for cross platform / browser testing on every change. I'm used to coding and testing very quickly (which means with the keyboard whenever possible) and need an application that facilitates that.

These are my comments on FTP:

1.
Issue: nads is right: Current FTP features are a little cumbersome. The simplest way to save a working file locally as well as remotely I've found is A. CTRL S to save locally then B. Wait fior the preview .htm file in the dir to be overwritten (when I'm working with .css files) C. Right click the file in the Projects dialogue and choosing Upload to FTP - it is cumbersome.

Save to FTP I tried as a workaround and set a keyboard shortcut of ALT S but that doesn't address the need to save locally too. Publish To FTP is too slow with too many steps - having to Browse the remote site for location is frustrating.

Suggestion: Have a 'Save To Local + FTP' feature with shortcut ALT S that does it all for you and saves the file like 'Upload To FTP' right click feature without having to browse.

2.
Issue: Working with .css files there is a lag while WeBuilder writes to the .htm preview file in the same dir before I can right click the .css file in the Projects dialogue to Upload To FTP . WeBuilder also re-orders the files in that dir (viewed in the Projects dialogue) so the last saved goes to the bottom creating another lag while I locate the file just saved to right click and Upload To FTP. There may be a way of disabling the preview file writing but I havent' found it.

Suggestion: Make writing the preview file a preference not the default or just take it away all together unless a preview is requested.

3.
Issue: Currently WeBuilder hangs 5/6 times a day using FTP. Force close is needed and application restart. This especially happens when I cancel FTP upload from the dialogue box.
Suggestion: Make FTP cancel more robust.

Finally, please, please develop this great application for speed not for ever more WYSIWIG features. The world needs a genius text editor with easy, fast FTP for web development and you are on the way to achieving that. Shortcut menus and buttons for snipit inserts are useful at 3am when a developer can't remember an attribute or element but a code reference does just as well. However, please retain the primary reason of most developers who hand code quickly and will never again use a bloated WYISWIG like Dreamweaver: SPEED.

Again, thank you and best wishes.

[Karlis]

Jon,

Thank you for your report. You have some very good points here and I will consider them when implementing the next stage of FTP features.

[Reuvenm]

Certainly FTP functions are needed in developing enviroment, as many time you do need changes directly on the remote server, (As well as File/page comapre, local or local/remote, and to track custom mods to scripts, updates etc,).

I tried the FTP in RapidPHP and in almost all instances it crashes, leaving the to-be-uploaded file empty on the server. (Luckily I had a copy), so untill it will be stable, I use Zend studio for FTP'ing edited on-server file, but I wish my newly bought Rapid will handle it bravely.

[erikh]

I would love a site definition feature like Dreamweaver and th ability to upload directorys and stand alone files (images, css)
I'll byu WB and wonder how long the nwe features would take to be implemented. You've done a tremendous job and adding those features would be competition with DW
Cheers
Erik

[syrupcore]

SFTP is would be my only request. I do like DW keybaord shortcut for uploading to the server. Filezilla is fine though.

Webuilder is ruling the school at the moment!


Will

[chrisjlocke]

I sit behind an FTP proxy at work, so can't use the FTP feature.
I've used it at home, and its nice to edit a file using just FTP - very handy!

The ability to use FTP behind a proxy would be nice though.