Best modem/internet photo transfer software?

[JamesNeiss]

We are looking for Macintosh software that will allow us to modem photos directly into a computer over a phone line or, in the future, connect to that computer over the internet. The main criteria is that a transfer continue where it left off if the line drops.

We have been looking at Telefinder and Hotline and would like feedback on those options or suggestions for something else.


Jim Neiss
Chief Photographer - Greater Niagara Newspapers

Have you checked out Transmit? You can download the FTP program at: www.panic.com/transmit

I have found Transmit to be hands down the best FTP software I have used for Mac. I have transmit installed on a G4 PowerBook (Mac Jaguar) and a G3 Pismo (Mac Panther), as well as a G4 Tower, never had a problem.

While I have not used the new version of Photo Mechanic's FTP option, I prefer a free standing FTP program, this way if there is a hick-up in the system for some reason and a program crashes, either my photo browser or my FTP program crashes, not both simultaniously.

While FTP not directlty what you are looking for, it is fairly easy to set up an FTP site which will allow your photogs to ship the images directly into your system. You can set your FTP up to check for images every few minutes and pull them down to your system directly.

[MikeBrice]

I have both Transmit and the updated version of PhotoMechanic that includes the FTP feature.

I have not used transmit since I updated PM unless it is to transfer non-photo files to my web server.

The feature works great, and in the Photo Browser section of this site the software developer regularly answers questions, and uses suggestions to update the software.

I have never had PM crash when uploading photos to the web server, so I can't comment on that, but the FTP feature is great and there are some improvements planned for it that I believe will server your requirements.

Kirk is the developed, you might want to send him a PM with an outline of your requirements and he will let you know if it fits you needs or if it doesn't if any planned developments will work.

Transmit is also a very good stand alone FTP program for MAC.

MIke

[JoaquinSiopack]

James,

You might consider evaluating Netopia's Timbuktu Pro which costs about $85 a copy. There is a trial version for download.

Timbuktu Pro is a remote control application for troubleshooting computers across a company, but there are many others ways you can use it at a newspaper. This is especially true for newspapers who do not currently have an FTP site set up and running.
And for total disaster planning, computer-to-computer transfer is pretty much the bottom-side of the safety net for getting pictures back to your newspaper.

The catch is getting the most of Timbuktu is having time to dive into the programs.

What you can do:

1. FILE TRANSFER:
move files between two computers connected by telephone, Internet, local network

2. REMOTE CONTROL: EDIT A PHOTOGRAPHER'S LAPTOP:
huh? the program lets you share the screen of the remote laptop so you see what they see. so what?
from an editing room, you can edit the raw take of a photographer's card directly from their laptop that's on the sidelines/event. And yes, this makes some photographers cringe.

3. REMOTE CONTROL: PULL IMAGES OUT OF A MOUNTED CAMERA:
you can use #1 (above) to move photos and control a remotely connected laptop with a tethered camera like for sports
Wireless modules for certain cameras is a much easier way to get images out of a remote camera than this use. And it's really one of the only ways to file a photo if your newspaper doesn't have the latest and greatest already in the pool cabinet.

4. TROUBLESHOOT
remotely control another laptop to help solve problems... well try to solve problems without the computer physically in hand.

Timbuktu has been around since MacOS 9 and before. It is also available for Windows platform and there is
a heavy-duty solution called Timbuktu Pro Enterprise edition.

Before you install Timbuktu Pro for evaluation, and especially if you setup your own FTP site at the paper, please check with your IT department/network administrator. You do not want to be responsible for creating a breech in security to your newspapers computer network. That would make for a very bad day and night in the newsroom.

Hope this helps some,

Joaquin


Web Link: Netopia's Timbuktu Pro for MacOS X