FTPEditor Pro: Easing the Pain of Routine Web Edits Easing the Pain of Routine Web Edits Lee Underwood
It's not at all uncommon to routinely make small changes to your Web pages in order to correct grammar or spelling mistakes or update sections of information. This process typically involves opening the file in an editing program where the mistake is corrected, but if the file isn't on your hard drive or if others also work on the file, you'll need to first download the file before editing it. After that, the file is uploaded by means of an FTP client.
The end result is a lot of time and work to make simple corrections or changes, but what if you were able to edit the files right on the server, using one program?
Enter FTPEditor, a combination FTP client and text editor. Aside from transferring files between the local drive and the server, files can also be
manipulated as if they were on a local drive. Files, along with directories, can be created, renamed, deleted, or moved. They can also be edited from within the program using the built-in text editor.
The program was created by FTPEditor.com, founded in 1999 and located in Germany. It comes in two versions: Standard and Pro. The Pro version supports Secure FTP access, allows editing of files on the local drive, includes an FTP command line interface, and permits display of remote images within the program, among several other features. A comparison chart of the features in each version is included on the company's Web site.
Using the program is a breeze. If you already have experience using FTP programs and text editors, you can use FTPEditor "right out of the box."
Setting up the FTP client to connect to a site is pretty standard. There are no options for the FTP client itself. It's really quite basic — simple and clean.
The text editor contains the usual options, such as word wrap, search and replace, and auto indent. It also features highlighting options for different formatting and programming tags. Templates can be created in the Pro version and can be used to make new files. No spell check feature exists, but the Pro version does include an auto-correct feature.
Multiple documents can be edited at the same time in the text editor. While there are keyboard shortcuts for basic commands, such as paste to/from clipboard, undo, and delete line, there is no option to create macros or clips to insert formatting tags. If you currently use a basic text editor for your file creation/editing, it won't be a problem. If you don't and you need to do major file revisions, you'll still need to download the file to your local hard drive and use your regular (X)HTML/CSS editor.
FTPEditor supports file transfer using the drag-and-drop method. In the Pro version, files on the local drive can also be opened by double-clicking on them.
FTPPEditor won't replace your current (X)HTML/CSS editor (unless you exclusively use a basic text editor for these tasks), but it could replace your current FTP client. It works well as a basic file transfer program and allows for quick editing of files right on the server. Be aware of one thing, though; if you also keep copies of your files locally, you will need to copy the corrected files to your local drive to keep everything in sync.
The program includes user documentation and a forum is available for online help.
FTPEditor is currently available in two versions:
1.Standard,
$29.00, with a free 30-day trial evaluation and 60 days of free updates.
2.Pro,
$49.00, with a free 15-day trial evaluation. Includes free updates for life.
System Requirements
A Pentium processor or better with Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP is needed for operating FTPEditor. You'll also need between 5-10 MB of hard disk space.
