Note: This software is available for the Mac OS only. Due to its reliance on Apple Events, no Windows or Unix versions are envisioned at present. A further requirement is that users have FTP access to their site for uploads and downloads. The site platform and server software are irrelevant.Fetch-O-Matic is suite of applications for automated website maintenance via FTP. Fetch-O-Matic allows web authors to freely create and update files locally without needing to keep track of their work, and to then automatically catalog the alterations and update the website. It also performs synchronization in the other direction, watching a remote location and automatically downloading any new or changed files appearing there. It provides seamless integration with Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe GoLive, and similar website authoring packages, offering more robust and more flexible handling of file transfers. And if several people are maintaining a site, Fetch-O-Matic protects them from treading on each other's updates.
Fetch-O-Matic differs from other available synchronization and maintenance schemes in that it does not require any local machine to have a complete site copy. For example, one might decide to grab a few pages and change them (and/or add some new files) from a PowerBook. Later, the site copy on the primary machine can be quickly brought up-to-date with just two clicks - without having to remember what was changed or consult the PowerBook.
Fetch-O-Matic is easy to use. Novice web authors in search of a simple way to update a personal web page need not be intimidated by its power. Experienced hands will find that previously dreaded operations such as multi-file search and replace, with the subsequent headache of tracking down and uploading scattered altered files, are rendered painless. Transfer errors such as uploading/downloading to the wrong directory are a thing of the past.
Fetch-O-Matic was conceived and developed to fill a need in servicing a large site (http://www.filmscouts.com). Uploads and downloads of thousands of files at once have been performed with ease. But even on a site with just a few pages, Fetch-O-Matic will ease the updating chores.
Not just for websites, Fetch-O-Matic handles a range of FTP file transfer operations, including continuous local and remote folder watching and synchronization. It is in use as an FTP tool by news organizations, webcam operators, and project co-ordinators in a wide variety of situations worldwide.
Fetch-O-Matic requires Dartmouth's FTP client "Fetch", AppleScript, the scripting addition Jon's Commands, and, optionally, Alessandro Levi Montalcini's "List Files" (providing a significant speed improvement for large sites), all of which are readily available online. Fetch-O-Matic runs on any Mac OS machine with reasonable (8mb+) RAM running System 7, 8, or 9. It runs in the background. It is shareware with a single-user license fee of $20. There is a free 30-day trial period.
***New in this version (released April 11 2001): The ability to automatically delete remote files after download; complete compatibility with OS 9.1.***
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