One of the first file transfer protocol pieces of software Trish and I tried out was CoffeeCup Direct FTP. We needed it originally to load up content on some of our other websites. When we first started setting up those websites we didn’t realize how much file transferring we would be doing.  However, we followed the recommendation from Michael Cheney (more to come about him later), and got a free version of CoffeeCup Direct FTP software. Seeing as we didn’t know much at the time, we went with it.

CoffeeCup Direct FTP can be loaded either for free for 25 trials (and you get a beautiful yellow banner reminding you of just how cheap you are if you don’t buy it right away) or you can purchase it for $34 US from CoffeeCup Direct FTP (which I did eventually pay).

Downloading and installing the software was relatively easy; it must have been, as I really can’t remember any major hardships or issues about it today. Give me a break, we did it a while back and we just wanted to get some goodies loaded.

Features that came with this installation included the following:

1. A FTP Activity window that allows you to track the progress of all the files being transferred.
2. You can set up book marks in your local or remote directory that allows you to short cut to your directory or folder of preset choice.
3. You can toggle through several view types such as the default FTP and Edit View, FTP View only or Edit View only.
4. It has a File Editor and Image Preview feature, but I’ve never used them.

The features are quite usable from the beginning and CoffeeCup Direct FTP looks and feels intuitive and easy to use. (It must have been as I’ve never done it before and even I could do it…without Trish having to monitor me). Setting up your remote servers is straight forward and can be stored for easy re-access/connection.  There are also three main windows; 1) top left is your local site; 2) top right is your remote active site; and 3) the bottom is dedicated to the FTP Activity window which can be turned on or off.  However, when using the software there are issues with failed file transfers and you need to go through the list afterwards and try again…and again…and even again…possibly for several times before the entire file is complete. (This was the case with both Trish’s free version or my purchased one).

Here are some other comments from other parts of the world about the CoffeeCup Direct FTP software:

1. “Dynamic piece of software that helps make the FTP process intuitive and easy. It’s with you every step of the way – from making last-minute edits to previewing, organizing and uploading your work, and then backing it up, just in case.” -Free Downloads Centre Publisher
   • Free Downloads Center
   • Rated by 6 users, at 4 out of 4.
2. “It includes practical webmaster tools, but is missing many of the secure transfer abilities of some of the higher ranked products.” -Top 10 Reviews Editor
   • TopTenREVIEWS
   • Rated 1.5 out of 4
3. “It’s Free and Easy to download”
   • Michael Cheney

Here’s what I think…don’t bother with this software even if it is free. The frustration Trish and I felt using it and having so many failed files was a pain in the a$$.  There are better and easier FTP software to use and they are even free. One of these Trish will be posting about shortly and fell madly in love with. (Trust me, I hear about it all the time about how great and friendly and how functional it is…and…and. God!)

Cheers