Comments on: Interarchy 8.2: FTP Redefined

By: Peter Fagan

Peter Fagan — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 23:19:55 +0000

I own current licenses for Transmit, Fetch and Interarchy.

The thing that makes Interarchy stand out is tabs. I typically maintain a number of different products on a single site and will typically have five or seven tabs going. My favorite action is option dragging a file to copy it from my dev area file listing onto the tab for the production version of the same dir.

Like many apps, a cmd key lets me edit a file in my editor app. I also enjoy being able to cmd-c a file in a list and paste its URL elsewhere. It’s an FTP URL though, which typically needs trimming; there’s a tab-based FTP app for XP called SmartFTP that gives you a contextual manu choice of the kind of URL you’d like to copy off a listing!

Although I prefer Interarchy for reasons including those above, I remain critical of their connection dialogs; I don’t think they see a bigger, simpler picture of that sort of thing yet; they could learn some UI from humbler FTP apps. In practice I don’t find myself needing it, since new bookmarks for existing server listings are a cmd-d away.

I have my bookmarks window permanenly open down the right side of my my screen for easy access. I slid closed the Collection sidebar in the bookmarks window because it features a lot of automation goodies that remain disused because my machine doesn’t perform any server duties.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:41:15 +0000

I’ve been a happy Transmit user for a short while (recent switcher.) Tried Cyberduck, but it kept crashing on large uploads (couple hundred 2-4MB files.) Transmit is nice, and I love the drop zones I can make on my desktop for directories I frequently upload files to. The one problem I have, though, is I can’t seem to get it to work with symbolic links. We have a couple directories that have symlinks to other directories. With Cyberduck, I could browse those as if they were actual directories, while Transmit does nothing at all…I have to open another window and browse to the real directory (if I can even remember where it is…) If Interarchy can solve that little hurdle, I’ll switch in a heartbeat.

By: Clark

Clark — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:32:30 +0000

I got fed up with Cyberduck crashing in directories with lots of files. I tried Interarchy and I’m in heaven. Amazingly powerful but simultaneously extremely easy to use. The price is a tad high at ~ $70 but now that my trial is ending I’m thinking about paying for it. (Typically trials end with me deciding it just isn’t worth it even when I really like the program)

By: Badjol

Badjol — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:21:14 +0000

Well,
I found Interarchy 8.2 more powerful thant Transmit 3. because it handle both FXP ( site to site transfer) and SSH connection while Transmit is a little buggy with tranfers under ftp servers using SSH protocol, and I hated the fact that transmit 3 lose my queue list ( 107 files ) after a great freez ( SSH servers again), Transmit got a a false FXP mode as well ( it downloads the files on your hard drive before sending it to the other server). Well I don’t know if that answers your question but it solved it for me :) moreover, Interarchy is so simple to use with Finder, I really like it. I was a fan of Flash FXP before when I was on PC, the fact that two softwares can be very efficient and do the same thing in a totally different way is really great.

By: Padriac

Padriac — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:27:49 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, Peter.

However, Transmit does mirroring and it also allows you to set external editors based on file type.

I guess the only way I’m going to solve the “why is Interarchy better” puzzle is to download it and see for myself.

By: Peter Shield

Peter Shield — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:44:00 +0000

Padriac,

Transmit is a great app for novices. It’s simplistic interface is perfect for people like my Father. That is why I bought it for him. But for anyone with moderate to high end file transfer needs Interarchy kicks but. Nothing comes close.

Interarchy has supported external editing long before Transmit. 1996 I think. And Interarchy’s external editor support is much more powerful than anything else out there on the market. It can be set on a per extension basis. I have .html files go off to bbedit; .pl scipts of off to Affrus; .css files go off to CSSEdit; and .jpg, .png, and .gif files go off to Graphic Converter.

Interarchy’s real power lies in it’s mirroring tools. It is set and forget. Not having to worry about uploading files is a godsend.

It is not that Interarchy has so many powerful features (it does) that make it so great. It is Interarchy’s attention to detail that makes it so great. Interarchy is the Photoshop of it’s field.

By: Tim Foelker

Tim Foelker — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:48:31 +0000

Interarchy has been in my arsenal since it was called Anarchie on System 7 Macs. It has never failed to do any job asked of it, and often goes above and beyond the call. (The Net info tools are very handy.)

If you are a professional that needs a bullet-proof FTP client, Interarchy is the tool. Great support from Stairways Software, and a user community on Yahoo: tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/interarchy/

By: Padriac

Padriac — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:34:13 +0000

I wasn’t implying that Transmit is a nice, bargain app. I was wondering whether or not it’s just flat out better than Interarchy (for someone with medium-level ftp needs) Basically, a lot of people think that Transmit’s interface is second to none and live and die by the ability to edit server-side files both in an external editor AND with Transmit itself (if text): options which Transmit has offered before Interarchy did. And no, I’m not looking for something “simple”. I found Cyberduck way too limiting and, frankly, not even in the same league as Transmit. Price is not an issue for me when it comes to quality, but I also don’t like paying more when I don’t have to.

The few arguments I’ve heard for Interarchy compared to Transmit is that it’s “more powerful”. I’m curious as to what, exactly, this means. Because from the small sample of features listed in this review, I can’t point out something that Interarchy does that Transmit doesn’t. Maybe the “raw FTP commands” which I just honestly would never need or use.

And fellas: this is not flame bait or trolling. This is a happy Transmit user wondering if he might be missing out on something even better. I run a few websites via third-party hosting, so my needs fall into that realm. I’ve been so happy with Transmit that if Interarcy is truly better it must be one of the best damn apps ever made. And yes, I should just download Interarchy and try it for myself but time is money and the new thing always seems worse than the comfortable, familiar thing. I’d love to hear from someone with lots of experience with both programs. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

By: Peter Shield

Peter Shield — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 01:43:14 +0000

For me Interarchy is invaluable. It is one of the best programs out there.

Padriac, I could be a tight ass, save $30 and buy Transmit or Fetch. But qquickly it would end up costing me a lot more than the $30 I saved on the initial purchase price. I am vastly more productive with Interarchy.

By: NB

NB — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:24:48 +0000

Make no mistakes about it. Interarchy is one of the best programs there is. But just as Photoshop isn’t for everyone neither is Interarchy.

Interarchy is targeted at creative professionals, internet designers, system administrators, and power users. If you fall into this crowd you really owe it to yourself to grab a copy of Interarchy.

If you are a novice and just need to move around a few files Interarchy probably isn’t for you. It is probably best to stick with something simple like Cyberduck.

We have a site license for Interarchy and use it daily. It is a real time saver. Nothing else comes close for the work we do designing, uploading and maintaining websites. $30 spent on Transmit is a watse of money. $60 for Interarchy is an absolute bargin. Interarchy is invaluable. We would be lost without it.