Five solid FTP clients that also happen to be free

Five Apps

1. FileZilla

FileZilla is a cross platform client (Windows, Linux, *BSD, Mac OS X, and more) that offers tons of features, such as support for FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS), and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). It supports resume and files over 4GB. It has a site manager and transfer queue, a powerful filtering system, an easy to use networking configuring wizard, and much more. Filezilla is GPL and works seamlessly with FileZill Server.

2. gFTP

gFTP hasn’t been in development for a while, but still stands as a solid FTP solution for the Linux desktop. gFTP features FTP, FTPS (control connection only), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and FSP protocols. It also features FTP and HTTP proxy server support, and bookmarks tools. It supports FXP file transfer, UNIX, EPLF, Novell, MacOS, VMS, MVS, and NT (DOS) style directory listings. Though the development of gFTP seems to have stopped (latest stable release in 2008), the software still works on the latest releases of nearly every distribution (tested on Ubuntu 12.10 to make sure).

3. Free FTP

Free FTP is all about simplicity. From the interface to the features, with Free FTP you will be transferring files quickly and easily. Features include multiple server profiles, the ability to transfer files in binary, ASCII, or auto mode. Free FTP includes drag and drop support and an easy to use and unique bookmarks tool. Free FTP works with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8. With the bookmarks tool you can not only save server information but local information - so transferring files from a specific directory to a specific server is as simple as selecting a bookmark and then dragging and dropping the files to be transferred.

4. BareFTP

BareFTP is another Linux client that makes use of the Mono framework on the GNOME desktop environment. BareFTP focuses on simplicity and supports transfers with the following protocols: FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS), and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). Any level of user would be immediately at home with the BareFTP interface. Unlike gFTP, BareFTP is still in development (though the developer has been on a temporary hiatus due to other projects). Because of the issues with Mono, BareFTP is being ported into a strict Python port.

5. FireFTP

FireFTP is a unique FTP solution in that it is an addon for the Firefox browser. Because of this, it not only works across platforms, it also already works within a familiar environment. FireFTP features: SSL/TLS/SFTP support, directory comparison, and support for nearly all encoding. It also features a search and filter system, integrity checks, drag and drop, remote editing, file hashing, proxy support, FXP support, timestamp synchronization, CHMOD and recursive CHMOD changes, and much more.

Bottom line

FTP isn’t going away anytime soon and for anyone looking for a solid FTP client, here are five free tools that should meet nearly any need. Whether you’re looking for a simple tool or one with plenty of features - you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

elitebuyer 135. 9th st. long beach, ca 90813

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Windows 8 Cheat Sheet how to

Windows 8 Cheat Sheet

Windows 8, let me guess, that’ll be the follow-up to Windows 7?

Yup, you got it in one.

OK, so basically same stuff, different number, am I right?

Not quite: Windows 8 differs quite radically from what comes before. Windows president Steven Sinofsky claims that Windows 8 represents a “generational change” for Windows, the likes of which has not seen since the release of Windows 95.

How so?

Well for a start it’s designed to run on more than just a PC. Windows 8 is made to run on both laptop and desktop computer and tablet hardware, scaling its interface to different screen sizes.

But Windows 7 tablets didn’t exactly take over the world…

True, Microsoft knows this and is aware that as tablets fly off the shelves it needs to have a viable operating system in the slate space. The problem with Windows 7 on tablets is that it was first and foremost a desktop OS, with tiny fiddly icons designed for a mouse pointer and not chubby fingers. That’s why, with Windows 8, Microsoft has devised a tile-based interface, known as Modern UI,that is designed around touch.

So what’s Modern UI got to offer?

The interface is based around interacting with tiles, basically large icons whose size makes them easy to touch. These tiles can be tapped or clicked to run local or web apps, or to go to websites. Tiles can be swapped in and out of blocks, for instance to build blocks of apps or sites that are most commonly used, or related to specific topics like work. Tiles also link to online services like the Windows Store, where users can buy new Modern UI apps, and system settings like Control Panel.
Certain tiles can be set up to display dynamic information. For instance an RSS reader tile can display the latest story in the feed or a calendar tile could show your next appointment. In this way real time information can streamed straight in to the Windows 8 Start screen.
Navigation of the Windows 8 Start screen is well-suited to touch, with users able to drag and pinch-and-zoom to manoeuvre through blocks of tiles and to rearrange tiles by dragging and dropping, or resizing them with their fingers. Edges of the screen also play an important role, swiping from the left or right border brings up bars – known as Charms - for quick interactions with the system or an app, and a touchscreen keyboard can also be summoned to enter text.
Navigating the apps themselves is again designed to work well with touch, with easy-to-hit icons and tiles, and single gesture swipes to perform tasks such as flicking through running apps or shutting down an app.

Windows 8 Start screen

What if I just want to use it on a bog standard laptop?

Then you can use mouse and keyboard to navigate the Modern UI. Some users of the early builds of Windows 8 complained that Modern UI is not intuitive without a touchscreen, but Microsoft has sought to address this with a host of mouse and keyboard shortcuts. For example mousing to the corners of the screen allows for fast navigation, and apps, files or settings can be called by typing a name, or just the first letters of the name, into the Windows 8 Start screen. Also all of the hotkeys from Windows 7 work in the Modern UI 8 interface. Microsoft’s goal with Windows 8 is, after all, for it to be as easy to use on a tablet as on a PC.

What happened to the old Windows desktop?

It’s still there but as a Windows 8 app, as by default Windows 8 users log into the Modern UI tile-based Start screen. The Desktop app is a full-screen Windows 7-style desktop, with the usual Recycle Bin, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, and taskbar. On a traditional Intel or AMD-based PC hardware the desktop will run legacy apps, such as those that run on a Windows 7 machine. However ARM-based hardware, such as most tablets, will not be able to run third party Windows desktop apps in Windows 8, only Microsoft desktop apps such as Notepad and Calculator.
The desktop can even be used with touch. Those who recall trying to hit tiny icons on a tablet running Windows 7 will be pleased to learn that Microsoft has implemented what it calls “fuzzy hit targeting”, which works out which button or icon it’s most likely you wanted to trigger. Reports are that it’s not perfect but is an improvement over Windows 7.

Does the cloud get a look in?

Of course, online integration is woven throughout Windows 8. On the social side the People app allows contacts from multiple sources and social networks - such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn - to be mashed together into a single stream, with live updates from individuals or groups displaying on tiles.
There’s also some serious syncing. Sign into Windows 8 using a Microsoft account and it will sync your settings between every Windows 8 machine you use. This will let you share your address book, account details for services like Facebook and Twitter, email and instant messages and the like between different devices. On top of this there’s the ability for users to sync apps they’ve bought from the Windows Store or files stored on Microsoft’s SkyDrive service between devices.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of Windows 8 is how it integrates online information with what’s stored on your machine.Modern UI’s simple search will not only scour file, apps and settings on the device, as well as online info, but also look within apps that have been enabled to take advantage of the search feature, for example looking for a track in a music app or a contact in a social network.

What else is cool?

There’s the fast boot time, Microsoft demoed Windows 8 booting in eight seconds on an ultrabook at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) earlier this year. There’s also an easy reinstall option that allows a clean install of Windows without the need to delete any personal data stored on the device.
And for sheer wow factor there’s its ability to work with some gigantic screens. At MWC Microsoft demoed Windows 8 running on an 82-inch display with multiple people using it. Microsoft said that up to 10 people using all their fingers could interact with the display at the same time.

What’s Windows 8 got to offer business?

Windows 8 – particularly Windows 8 Pro - contains a range of features relevant to enterprise - helping to mange consumerisation, encryption, remote updates and virtualisation.
For a start, having a single OS that can be used on a desktop or laptop PC and a tablet may appeal to enterprises looking to provide and manage a single computing environment for staff inside and outside of the office.
Many features aimed at business are designed to make it easier to work outside the office. DirectAccess allows remote users to access the corporate system without having to sign in to a separate VPN connection. Meanwhile Windows To Go allows Windows 8 to boot from an external flash drive - allowing staff to access their corporate OS from a personal device without having to copy corporate data onto its hard drive. The flash drive can also be encrypted with BitLocker to provide additional security. Managing the costs of remote workers will also be aided by built-in mobile broadband metering and native support for 3G and 4G.
Businesses will be able to develop their own Modern UI-style enterprise apps, which can then be centrally managed, updated and distributed by managers. Apps and any data they contain will be able to be kept within the corporate firewall. The ability of Live Tiles to display dynamic information allows for the creation of corporate apps that act as dashboards, for example displaying real-time feeds from enterprise systems.
Another feature that promises to make IT managers life easier is the integration of Microsoft’s HyperV client, its virtual machine manager, into the OS. The integrated HyperV feature, a Windows Server 2008 and 2012 compatible tool, should allow IT managers to run multiple configurations of virtual machines from a single device.

What versions are available?

When Windows 8 is released on 26 October it will come in three versions: two for Intel-based PCs, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, and Windows 8 RT for ARM-based tablets like the Microsoft Surface.
Windows 8 is aimed at consumers, Windows 8 Pro is for tech enthusiasts and business/technical professionals – adding features, mentioned above, related to encryption, virtualisation, PC management and domain connectivity.
Computers that shipped with Windows XP, Vista or 7 can be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. The offer is available until 31 January 2013, after which the price will rise. The price of upgrading to Windows 8 Pro falls further if you bought or buy a PC with Windows 7 between 2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013, dropping to $14.99.
The upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available as a download, with Windows Media Centre available as a free add-on. It is also possible to upgrade by buying a physical disc, although that option will cost $69.99, again a limited offer until 31 January 2013.
If you’re planning to build your own PC and install Windows 8 on it then OEM prices ahead of launch are $99.99 for Windows 8 and $139.99 for Windows 8 Pro.
The OS will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

How easy is it to upgrade?

It varies, depending on what Microsoft OS you’re running now. Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 keeps the programs, Windows settings and files; from Vista keeps the settings and files. Upgrading from Windows XP only keeps personal files. A Windows 8 upgrade assistant wizard guides users through the process.
While Microsoft says that upgrading from the preview versions of Windows 8 to the full version will require a clean install, there are workarounds involving modifying .ini files.

What apps does it come with?

Bundled Modern UI apps include those drawing on online content through Bing: such as Sport, Weather, Finance, Music, Video and games from Xbox; organisation apps: Mail, Calendar, Photos, Messaging, People and SkyDrive; as well as a variety of extras.

Does it include Microsoft Office?

Touch optimised versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote will be bundled with Windows RT but not with other Windows 8 SKUs, although these will be able to run legacy Office apps through the Windows Desktop.
Office 2013 has been redesigned to incorporate the same tiled interface as Windows 8, while retaining the ability to be used with a mouse and keyboard, and the code rewritten to work on ARM processors, as well as 32 and 64 bit Intel and AMD chips.

When will machines ship with Windows 8?

New Windows 8 PCs and Windows RT tablets will be available to buy from October. Launching at the same time as Windows 8 will be the RT version of Surface, a Windows 8 tablet designed by Microsoft that features a keyboard built into the cover. A version of Surface running Windows 8 Pro on an Intel Core processor will be released 90 days later.

Windows 8 touchscreen keyboard

So what are Windows 8’s chances? It sounds like it’s got a fighting chance

While analysts predict that Windows 8 will be a popular OS, there is expectation among many that demand will take a while to pick up. One of the key selling points for Windows 8 predicted by a Morgan Stanley analyst would be the ability to use popular Office programs like Word on a tablet.
However enterprise adoption could be slowed by the fact that most businesses are still deploying Windows 7. US companies told analyst house Gartner that Windows 7 would be running on about half of PCs by the end of last year. Given that many companies have either just upgraded or are in the process of upgrading to Windows 7 it seems unlikely that they will in any hurry to upgrade to Windows 8. If they put off their next OS upgrade for another four years, which is how long it typically takes for businesses to refresh their desktop OS, then businesses are likely to skip Windows 8 altogether, in favour of some future flavour of OS. As a result Gartner research director Annette Jump has predicted that the number of businesses deploying Windows 8 “will definitely be lower” than that of Windows 7.
CIOs were also sceptical about the business value of Windows 8 over Windows 7, when questioned by TechRepublic earlier this year.

What about the Modern UI, that looks pretty whizz bang

It does, but despite the praise that has been lavished onto the Modern UI in some quarters there are a few caveats. While the UI is credited with making Windows 8 a breeze to use once the users knows what they’re doing, learning how to use Modern UI may put some people off. People who’ve used preview builds have mentioned that new users of Windows 8 need schooling on how to use features like touching the edges of the screen to bring up interactive bars. It may sound harsh but not having an immediately accessible UI could cost Microsoft users when it is competing against the iPad and its highly intuitive iOS and the increasingly refined Android interface. There is also the risk that Windows 8’s attempts to support apps that work equally well across different devices and form factors will end up producing apps that don’t fully exploit the capabilities of any device.
Microsoft is certainly confident that people will like Windows 8 however, making a free consumer preview of the OS available to use until the final product is released.

Will its app store help its chances?

It is in the app space where Microsoft could face its biggest battle with Windows 8. By the time the OS launches it will be competing against an Android and iOS app base that has been built up over several years. It’s going to take something really special to make iPad or Android users give up the apps they know how to use and switch to a new platform.
By mid-October 2012 the Windows Store offered more than 5,550 apps globally, more than 4,850 of which were free. With more than 250,00 apps on the iPad App Store, Microsoft has some catching up to do.
Microsoft is trying to entice developers to produce apps for the Windows Store by offering an attractive revenue slice from sales. As an incentive to get users downloading Modern UI apps Microsoft made all apps on the store will be free until the end of the consumer preview period.

What will I need to run Windows 8?

Windows 8 will run on just about any recent 32 or 64-bit desktop or laptop, as well as running on modern ARM-based tablet computers. Microsoft recommends a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM (or 2GB for 64-bit), 20GB of hard disc space, and a DirectX 9 graphics card with WDDM 1.0 support.
One other important requirement is that Modern UI apps need a minimum of 1024×768 screen resolution and a 1366×768 to use the snap feature that allows apps to be run side by side.
Microsoft says that Windows 8 will support four common “system-on-a-chip” sets - the Nvidia Tegra 3, the Qualcomm Snapdragon, the Texas Instruments OMAP, and the Intel Atom Z2760

www.elitebuyer.com 562-366-4177 Long Beach Computer Network and Support

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Mobile Apps Every Entrepreneur Should Have

It’s more or less become the norm in the startup community that running a business is expected to dominate every waking minute of your life as an entrepreneur. I get that. You’ve got to be obsessed with what you’re building. Your competitor certainly is.

That being the case, I recommend you invest just a little of that ever precious time in looking for ways to streamline your daily activities, whether that means automating simple tasks or even removing those tasks that produce a low return on the time you spend. Time in a very real sense is your most valuable asset as a business owner, and even if streamlining only saves a few minutes here and there, that saving really does add up and is what grants you increased productivity at work and more time at home with the family that’s waiting for you to hit it big.

One of my favorite ways to streamline is through mobile apps because they allow me to do my job out of the office, on the fly. Here is a list of some of the apps which have given me back more than a few hours. In fact, this list isn’t just relevant to entrepreneurs, but to anyone looking to gain a few hours back.

Oh yeah, I use an iPhone so I can’t speak for their uses on other phones. And, no, I do not represent or work with any of the below companies.

Skype – If you don’t know Skype by now, crawl out of your hole. Download it on your phone because it’s great for communicating over Wi-Fi and especially for communicating with international contractors when you don’t want long-distance charges.

Dropbox – Great to have on your phone for three reasons: 1) it allows you to access all your business files in the cloud right from your phone (great for meetings if you forget a presentation for example); 2) cloud storage across your phone and computer is a great way to back up all your files; 3) you can share all files in your Dropbox account with any recipient, without having to email them.

Genius Scan – I can’t tell you how much time I used to waste when I first started my business and had to find a Kinkos every time I needed to print, scan and fax documents. This app won’t let you print (obviously), but it will let you take a picture of any document, or string of documents, and then send it to your recipient as a single PDF file, the same way an office scanner would. Another 30-minute trip to Kinkos, or $200 expenditure on a scanner, saved.

Splashtop – Download this app, and you can actually get remote access to your computer, right from your phone.

Smartr – If you’re big on networking and want a good way to remember when you last kept in touch with someone, then this app is like the analytics for your address book. It’s also an all-in-one location to get calendar events and read email, Facebook messages and Tweets from your contacts as well.

Pivotal Tracker – If you’re looking for a project management tool (especially helpful for managing tech teams and web development), check out Pivotal Tracker. Then download it on your phone. This app will help you manage your entire team by allowing you to check the status of all your employees’ work, right in your palm.

Card Munch (from LinkedIn) – For people big on networking and attending networking events in particular, this is a great app. Take a picture of any business card, and this app will automatically convert it into a contact in your phone.

Tripit – When I was raising our first and second round of funding, we travelled to and worked out of locations in LA, NYC, San Fran, Seattle and Miami. That’s a lot of itinerary (and a lot of uncomfortable couches). If you travel a lot too and need an easier way, besides searching your email inbox, to keep track of airline reservations and itineraries, then get this app.

Evernote – If you’re like me in this respect – and you probably are – new ideas or improvements to your business are constantly popping up in your head. During those brief moments of clarity and inspiration, you’ve got to write those ideas down, and this app is great for doing just that.

Waze – Live in a place like LA where you have to drive to meetings? Download this app to get voice-activated, turn-by-turn directions. And it’s fully social, so you’ll see traffic, accidents and cops reported in real time by other people using the app in your area.

TaxiMagic – Need to drive to a meeting but don’t have a car? Download this app and pull up an instant list of all the cab providers in your area for a quick pick up.

Hop Stop – Have a meeting but don’t have a car and can’t call (or can’t afford) a cab (hello NYC). Download this app to get the best train or bus route to your destination.

PayPal – If you pay independent contractors through PayPal like I do, then download this app. The PayPal mobile app is secure and almost easier to use than your desktop for sending payments.

Chase (or other banking apps) – With the better banking apps these days, you can save yourself trips to the bank by making all your check deposits through your phone – snap a picture of the check, enter the amount and that’s it. Putting money in the bank and saving time? I’d buy that for a dollar.

Photosynth – One of the coolest picture apps I’ve ever used. Need to take pictures of a prospective office or event space? This app will let you stitch together photos to give you not just a panoramic view but a 3D panoramic view (floor, roof, walls, everything) so you get the real feel of any room or space.

Perch – This one I had actually never heard of until a commenter suggested it (thanks again!), so I checked it out, and it’s pretty cool. Perch allows you to discover competitor businesses and check out their online presence and activity across Facebook, Twitter and Yelp.

MobileDay – Suggested by another commenter, MobileDay is the conference call app you’ve always wanted but didn’t necessarily know you did. Download MobileDay and it will scan your calendar for meetings, send you reminders when they arrive and then allow you to join your scheduled conference calls with one click, without having to remember any access codes.

If you run any type of business and aren’t computer savvy at all, then GET TECHNICAL. Younger generations definitely take technology for granted, but if you’re an older entrepreneur especially, learning to use technology to your advantage is one of the easiest ways to save time. And mobile is a great way to start because you can quite literally run your business from a smart phone these days.

Use any apps I forgot, or is my list just plain out of date? Let me know in the comments!

Shaw Adli, Elitebuyer.com 135 e. 9th st, long beach, ca 90813, 562-366-4177

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