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 iShelter - 1.0.1backup/synchronize data to another ssh enabled server |
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Cute, clean, handy - Version: 1.0, 11/20/2003 08:27AM PST
(1 of 1 users found this comment useful)
Da Bear
The idea here is to have a catchall remote directory into which you can drop certain important items. iShelter lets you set up the remote directory, then simply drag-and-drop files or folders into it as needed. When you do, a terminal window appears and asks you for your password (though the directions explain where to put your key so that ssh will grant you automatic access), then transfers the files using rsync. It does what it says it does and apparently does it well. (For some reason it didn't work the first time I tried it, but I wasn't able to reproduce the error.)
What could be added? Two things, imho. First, the capacity to retain multiple server settings would be very nice. As it is, you choose one username, one server, and one directory, and click "Save" -- that's it. If you want a different directory, you have to type it in, and if you then want the first one, you have to type that one in again. Why not keep a list, and allow the user to select one from the list or add a new one?
Second, the ability to sync from the remote host to the local host, rather than just local -> remote. As things stand, you can drop things into the remote directory, but you can't get them back out without resorting to a different program. Makes one feel a bit like Porky Pig after he's pushed the red button and sent his house zooming into the sky, at which point Daffy Duck shows up and offers to install a little blue button to get him back down....
What could be added? Two things, imho. First, the capacity to retain multiple server settings would be very nice. As it is, you choose one username, one server, and one directory, and click "Save" -- that's it. If you want a different directory, you have to type it in, and if you then want the first one, you have to type that one in again. Why not keep a list, and allow the user to select one from the list or add a new one?
Second, the ability to sync from the remote host to the local host, rather than just local -> remote. As things stand, you can drop things into the remote directory, but you can't get them back out without resorting to a different program. Makes one feel a bit like Porky Pig after he's pushed the red button and sent his house zooming into the sky, at which point Daffy Duck shows up and offers to install a little blue button to get him back down....
This program does exactly what it advertises, and it does it right away with no problems on the way.
This implies it will delete everything that is in the server directory, but not in the local directory, without any warning. This is something I don't like. I'd rather delete stuff manually, or at least be asked for confirmation. Ideally, there would be some way to configure what may be deleted and what not. For example, a special "mirror placeholder" typed file in the local directory, named like an existing item on the server, could indicate that the server item should not be touched.
The other thing I would like to see added is also in the area of configurability: I do have some files and directories in my local copy of my web site that I would rather not want to copy onto the server. They carry a special label. If now I could tell iShelter to ignore all files and folders carrying that label, that would be really cool.
And I can second the wish for more than one server ...
On the usability side of things, I could imagine a more integrated progress/status indication than the separate Terminal window.
Lastly, what are the demo limitations? I couldn't find a word on this in the manual ...
This program being a relatively new kid on the block, and Rev. 1.0, I see that it could become very useful for me, and well worth its price, with the aforementioned changes and additions.