FTP is a great way to transfer files to the cloud, and you have some pretty good choices of FTP clients on Linux. However, our favorite is the powerful, cross-platform FilezZilla.

FileZilla

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Price: Free
Download Page

• A highly configurable interface that supports drag-and-drop for easy file transfer
• Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SFTP protocols
• Supports resume and transfer of large files over 4GB
• Tabs for opening multiple connections
• Simple bookmarking system for oft-used servers
• Configurable transfer speed limits
• Advanced search feature with filename filtering
• Directory comparison and sync
• A network configuration wizard
• Remote file editing
• Many more advanced features

FileZilla has just about any configuration option you can imagine. If you have to use FTP a lot, FileZilla will let you transfer your files in any way you see fit, as well as search through large servers to find just the file you're looking for. If you know what you're doing, you can even tweak a lot of the more advanced options to optimize the speed of your transfers. At the same time, it's pretty simple to use, at least for how powerful it is. It can be a bit intimidating at first to new users, but with a few clicks of the mouse, one can pare down the interface to something more manageable. If you need more than just the occasional file upload or download, FileZilla is a winner.

Like we said, FileZilla can be a bit intimidating for beginners, especially if you have to root around the preferences. If you only need basic FTP functions, you'd probably be happier with something simpler like gftp, or one of the FTP-enabled desktop file browsers. Also, FileZilla's interface, while configurable, isn't exactly the prettiest (okay, it's ugly as sin), and seems unnecessarily cluttered. It's not a huge issue, but again, if you don't need its advanced features, there's no reason to trudge through its interface when you have other choices.

If FileZilla isn't for you, the next client I'd actually recommend aren't standalone FTP clients at all—but desktop file managers, like Nautilus for GNOME and Konqueror for KDE. Both have some pretty solid FTP features built-in, and provide desktop integration that make dealing with FTP super easy. You deal with them almost exactly like you would with any other file on your computer; you can view them with your default programs, copy them anywhere, and so on. If you aren't a super heavy FTP user, this is a pretty awesome way to get those few files transferred.

If you want a dedicated FTP client but FileZilla is just a bit too much, you might like gtfp. It hasn't really had an update since 2008, but it works, and it's very, very simple to use. I still think the desktop integration of Nautilus and Konqueror makes them better for most users, but if you aren't using either of them as your file browser (say, on a low-powered LXDE system), gftp will get the job done.

FireFTP is actually not a separate program, but instead, a Firefox extension. It isn't quite as powerful as the others, but if you just want simple file uploading and downloading through the FTP protocol, it's a really convenient way to do it. Plus, it doesn't require installing another program onto your machine, which is pretty nice.

And, since we know some of you are crazy about the command line, you might also check out LFTP. It has a pretty long list of advanced features, so if you're in a situation where you don't have a GUI to work with—or if you just really really like the command line—it'll certainly do a good job.

There are other FTP clients out there, but chances are you'll be more than happy with one of the above. If you've got a favorite on the list (or even one that's not on the list), let us know why you love it in the comments.

Lifehacker's App Directory is a new and growing directory of recommendations for the best applications and tools in a number of given categories.

If you need to transfer files, you have a lot of FTP choices on Windows. However, we'd have to choose the powerful, free FileZilla as the best on the platform.

FileZilla

Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Price: Free
Download Page

• A highly configurable interface that supports drag-and-drop for easy file transfer
• Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SFTP protocols
• Supports resume and transfer of large files over 4GB
• Tabs for opening multiple connections
• Simple bookmarking system for oft-used servers
• Configurable transfer speed limits
• Advanced search feature with filename filtering
• Directory comparison and sync
• A network configuration wizard
• Remote file editing
• Many more advanced features

FileZilla has just about any configuration option you can imagine. If you have to use FTP a lot, FileZilla will let you transfer your files in any way you see fit, as well as search through large servers to find just the file you're looking for. If you know what you're doing, you can even tweak a lot of the more advanced options to optimize the speed of your transfers. At the same time, it's remarkably simple to use, at least for how powerful it is. It can be a bit intimidating at first to new users, but with a few clicks of the mouse, one can pare down the interface to something more manageable. If you need more than just the occasional file upload or download, FileZilla is a winner.

Like we said, FileZilla can be a bit intimidating for beginners, especially if you have to root around the preferences. If you only need basic FTP functions, you'd probably be happier with something simpler like Cyberduck (which has a ton of awesome other features that, while less related to FTP, are convenient to have around). Also, FileZilla's interface, while configurable, isn't exactly the prettiest, and seems unnecessarily cluttered and ugly. It's not a huge issue, but again, if you don't need its advanced features, there's no reason to trudge through its interface when things like Cyberduck are around.

Cyberduck is the best alternative to FileZilla. Honestly, it's just about as good as FileZilla, but they both have their own perks. Cyberduck doesn't support many of the advanced features that FileZilla does, but it has a fantastically simple interface, is extremely easy to use (especially for beginners), and has great support for things like Google Docs, Amazon S3, Rackspace, and other cloud services. In fact, the only reason it isn't at the top of our list is because, in the end, its awesome features don't relate directly to FTP. That is, if you've come to the App Directory looking for an FTP client, you're probably looking for something closer to FileZilla. If you're looking for an easier way to manage some of your cloud storage with services like Google and Amazon, that's where Cyberduck shines. That's not to say it isn't a fantastic FTP client, it just isn't quite as feature-filled as FileZilla. Honestly, try them both, and you'll know which one fits your specific needs better.

WinSCP falls somewhere in between the simplicity of Cyberduck and the power of FileZilla. You can view it through a more traditional explorer-like view, or a dual-pane view that's great for transferring files between your computer and the server. It's got a simple session manager, and a built-in text editor which is pretty nice if you're coding. Personally, I'd look at FileZilla and Cyberduck before trying WinSCP, but if neither of them are your cup of tea, WinSCP might just be the balance you need.

FireFTP is actually not a separate program, but instead, a Firefox extension. It isn't quite as powerful as the others, but if you just want simple file uploading and downloading through the FTP protocol, it's a really convenient way to do it. Plus, it doesn't require installing another program onto your machine, which is pretty nice.

There are other FTP clients for Windows, but chances are you'll be more than happy with one of the above. If you've got a favorite on the list (or even one that's not on the list), let us know why you love it in the comments.

Lifehacker's App Directory is a new and growing directory of recommendations for the best applications and tools in a number of given categories.

File syncing is a godsend when you work on multiple computers or devices and want to make sure you have the most up-to-date files wherever you log in. While online services like Dropbox may be the most convenient options, there are plenty of reasons you may want to "roll your own cloud" and sync your files to your own web server or just on your local network. Below, we'll detail how to set up a Dropbox clone, complete with instantaneous, encrypted syncs, cloud backups, and file versioning, using cross-platform software GoodSync.

Why Set Up Your Own Syncing System?

Control. The biggest reason many of us might go looking for Dropbox alternatives is lack of control or a feeling of uncertainty with things like odd changes in terms of service implying the syncing service "owns" our files. A self-hosted solution will give you more control and peace of mind than most sign-up-and-forget online services can offer.

Flexibility and precision. Instead of selecting just one folder to keep up to date, you can, if you choose, select several with GoodSync. You can schedule multiple syncing jobs for different purposes: sync your work and home documents folders every time a file changes, for example, while syncing the music folder on your laptop with your home server every Wednesday at 5pm in another.

Space and savings. Finally, if you're paying for web hosting service already, you can make better use of available free space by using it to store your own files. (Note: not all web hosts approve of you using their web space for just backups or file storage, so check with yours first; Dreamhost is one provider that offers dedicated space for personal storage as well as hosting). You could also rent cheap server space from somewhere like Amazon S3.

Why GoodSync?

We're going to use GoodSync to sync files to your web host via SFTP (SFTP is a file transfer protocol like FTP except it's secure, since it encrypts all your data and commands during the transfers). It works on Windows and Mac (and can be run off a portable drive) and has a variety of types of devices you can sync to (including network shares, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Docs if you're a paid account user, SkyDrive, and Windows Mobile). GoodSync is also developed by the makers of Roboform, one of our favorite password managers. You can find other alternatives to create a Dropbox clone (see the end of the post), but GoodSync is my preferred option.

The free version of GoodSync (for personal use) allows up to three sync jobs after the trial period (a "job" in GoodSync includes a folder and a specific sync type; for our Dropbox clone, you'll just need to set up one job) and up to 100 files/folders in each sync job, while the pro version removes these limitations and costs $29.95 (one time fee for the application). You might not need more than the free version if you don't have a lot of files to sync. One sync job can keep your local and remote folders in sync instantaneously. Realistically, if you're building a Dropbox clone, the $30 the paid version is a good investment, especially compared to paying a monthly fee for more than 2GB on Dropbox.

How to Set Up Your Dropbox Clone with GoodSync

The first thing you'll need to do, besides downloading and installing GoodSync, is to make sure you have access to the locations you want to sync with.

SFTP on your web host: In this example, we're using SFTP to transfer our files to a web host because it's commonly available as an option on most web hosts; it works just like FTP except the transfer is run over SSH. Some hosts require you to request SFTP or SSH access or use a different port than the typical port 22, so you may need to contact your web host if you run into errors connecting to your server with your usual FTP login information. If you can't get SFTP access, see if your host offers WebDAV (check your hosting control panel for the option), which also has more security than plain FTP, but SFTP may be quicker. If you don't already have a web host, take a look at these five popular options.

SFTP on your home server: If you'd prefer to keep your files on your own computers at all times, you can set up SFTP on your own computer—like a home server. Our guide to turning your computer into a remote access media server details enabling SFTP on Windows and Mac.

Step 1. Create a Job

When you first run GoodSync, you'll be prompted to create a new job. As mentioned above, this is simply the sync task (e.g., sync office folder to home folder instantaneously). Give the job a name (e.g., Sync home docs to SFTP backup folder) and select two-way synchronization (backup will just copy the files to your remote folder, not keep your local files updated).

Step 2. Select Left and Right Folders for Your New Job

In this step, we're going to point our local folder to the SFTP server that's acting as our cloud server. So, for your Dropbox clone, create a new folder, perhaps called GoodSync, that's going to act as the equivalent of your old Dropbox folder. On the left panel, browse to and select that folder. Then click on the right panel to select the SFTP server you wish to sync to.

For SFTP, enter in the address of your web site (or your local SFTP server) as well as your username and password. If your SFTP server uses a non-standard port, enter it at the end of the url address, e.g.: sftp://mywebsite:2222.

Once GoodSync connects to your SFTP server, navigate to the folder that you want to sync to or create a new one. For first time setup on your web host, I recommend creating a folder above the "www" folder so it's not accessible from the web.

Note: There's very little difference in this process if you wanted to sync to a different device/location, but that's beyond our scope here.

Step 3. Click Analyze to Compare the Changes

After your two folder locations are selected, click the Analyze button and GoodSync will compare the files in both locations to see the differences. Once you get a list of all your folders and files in both locations, you can choose to exclude specific files or folders from the syncing process. Although it only took a few minutes for me, it can feel very slow, so be prepared to get up for some coffee or something while the program does its thing.

Step 4. Finalize Your Sync Job and Get Syncing

Finally, GoodSync will offer you a proposed, detailed syncing solution, indicating which files will be copied to which location. Here's an illustration of what the symbols mean:

Since we're setting up an instant, automated system, click Auto to sync files as soon as they change, a la Dropbox. Options you may want to enable here include:

General: Here you can set file versioning (default is 30) to keep deleted or overwritten files for file versioning in a saved folder—this is enabled by default.
Auto: This is the main scheduling tab. Check the Sync checkbox beside "on file change" to make syncing happen immediately when files or folders change, like Dropbox does. GoodSync says that it automatically detects changes in files by comparing current file status to the stored file status, so no system-based monitoring is required.

Filters: Set preferences for files you don't want included in the job based on name, size, or modification time.

Once your options are set and you hit OK, GoodSync will sync your files according to your settings. Keep in mind that the initial syncing/backup can take a while, but after that you should have GoodSync working like a legit, solid alternative to Dropbox and other online syncing services—with even more flexibility and capabilities.

Disadvantages

There are a few downsides to this approach. As you can see, the program is more complex and the many options might feel overwhelming (or freeing, depending on your perspective).

The main issue is there's no built-in sharing or collaboration features built-in, like Dropbox and other online syncing services have. Although you can certainly share files you've stored on a cloud server with a friend, it's not as convenient as, say, right-clicking on a file and generating sharable public links or adding people who can access a folder.

Finally, depending on the service and programs you use, file syncing performance can also differ greatly. SpiderOak uses a compression technology for faster syncing, and Dropbox only syncs bit-level file changes. While GoodSync is very fast, its block level sychronization (which only updates file changes) is only available for local networks syncing in the enterprise version of the software.

Other Options Besides GoodSync

Jungle Disk is a great option if you don't have web hosting space or would like to use Amazon S3's servers or Rackspace. It has strong encryption (you control the security key). Pricing is $2-3/month plus storage fees from Amazon/Rackspace.

For just local network syncing, you could use Windows Live Mesh, which is very easy to use and works great, SyncMate which syncs between Macs and Windows, plus mobile devices (Android, iOS, more), or several other local syncing tools. But you'd lose the benefits of cloud storage.

Finally, SparkleShare is an open-source project aiming specifically at creating a Dropbox clone. We're watching it closely and plan on covering in more detail in the future. The program lets you set up your own host to share files with others and keep everything in sync. It's currently only available for Linux and Mac, with Windows, Android, and iOS support slated for development.

Rolled your own Dropbox clone? Let's hear how and why you did it in the comments.

So you've learned the basics of HTML, brushed up on styling and CSS, and taken your web page design idea from concept to reality. Now it's time to find a host and launch your site.

Today's lesson is probably the easiest part of the whole make-a-web-site process (at least for the kind of site we're making), and it involves two simple steps:

1. Find and register with a web host
2. Upload your files to your host

Once you've done that, anyone with access to that wacky world wide web can see your site. Google can find it. Potential employees can see how talented you are. All the work you put into making it is now paying off!

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's talk a little bit about each step.

Step 1: Find and register with a web host

You can hem and haw all day about what web host to choose if you want. Choosing a host is like buying anything online: You do some research, find a few hosts that meet your needs, and maybe consider the recommendations of your peers before you commit. For a good starting point, take a look at our list of the five best personal web hosts. The reader-voted favorite of the bunch is DreamHost, and it's what I use for hosting various simple sites. I've tried a few alternatives over the years. Some were awful (Globat), some were just fine (Bluehost), but DreamHost has always been my favorite for simple hosting needs. That said, at something like $9/month DreamHost is more expensive than a lot of other cheap hosting plans. (I've also set up full web servers from scratch on virtual private servers at Slicehost and been very happy with them. Setting up a server on something like Slicehost is well beyond the scope of this guide.)

Whatever service you choose, you'll need two basic things from your host:

1. A domain name: This, as you probably know, is the human-friendly URL for your site. For example, when you visit http://lifehacker.com, that domain actually points to an IP address, which is a much less friendly string of numbers and dots. You want a friendly domain name.
2. A hosting plan: This is the service that provides you with the disk space and bandwidth for your site. It hosts your files and transfers your web page to the computers that visit your site.

Notes on choosing a domain name

If you're putting together your nameplate site, consider trying to snag yourname.com. Whether it's based on your name or not, your luck securing the domain you want will vary depending on how unusual the name of the domain you'd like is. When I'm searching for domains, I've always liked using Instant Domain Search, a tool that returns availability of domains as you type. If you want to get clever with your name (del.icio.us-style), consider the Domain Hacks search tool. Finally, if you can't seem to secure anything, give Bust a Name a look. It suggests open domains based on synonyms of a few base words.

If you've never tried it before, here's an advanced warning: If you're not flexible, or you don't have a very unique domain name, finding an available domain name can be extremely frustrating. Be patient and play around, and eventually you'll find something you're happy with. (Remember, it doesn't have to be a .com domain—it's really up to your preference.) Once you've found an available domain you like, you're ready to proceed.

Buying your domain and hosting plan

You've got a choice at this point: You can either register your domain name with a domain registrar (like the popular Namcheap or another popular option) or you can simply register your domain when you buy your hosting plan. Many hosts—including DreamHost—give you a free domain registration when you register for hosting.

The catch with tying your domain name to your hosting plan is that often hosts aren't as good as registrars when it comes to easily managing, transferring, and handling your domains. To that point, I've been happy with DreamHost, and I'm sure most good hosts work fine as registrars, especially if you never have to transfer to another service. I was, by comparison, very unhappy with my first host, Globat, and how difficult it was to do anything with the domain I registered through them.

So make your domain and hosting choices. Once you have, you're ready to deploy your site.

Step 2: Deploy Your Web Site

This is the incredibly easy part. Since I have a DreamHost account, I used that in the video above, but whatever you decide on, the process should be nearly identical. Here's the broad version:

1. Sign into your web host.
2. Find the FTP (or for better security, SFTP) credentials. Basically you need an FTP, SFTP, or SSH username and password. On DreamHost, my first FTP user was created automatically; you can view, edit, or create new users here. If your host didn't create a user for you by default, you should be able to create one somewhere in your host's dashboard.
3. Now open up your FTP client of choice. The free, open source Cyberduck (available for Windows and Mac) is a great choice if you're looking for something free and don't already have a favorite.
4. Click the Open Connection button, choose the connection type (FTP or SFTP), enter your domain name, username, and password, and click Connect. If all your credentials were entered correctly, you should see a directory listing of files or folders, for your domain, on your host.
5. For the sake of this tutorial, I'm assuming you want your site in the root directory of your server so that when someone visits, for example, yourname.com, it will load the site you created. To do that, you need to find the root folder of your domain. On DreamHost, your initial directory listing will show all the domains you're hosting, so the root of, for example, my adampash.com domain is inside the adampash.com folder.
6. Now that you've found your root, all that's left is to upload your site from your local computer to your server! There's not much to this part: Just drag the files from your desktop to the root folder you've opened in Cyberduck (or whatever FTP client you're using). Since your site is likely pretty lightweight, everything should upload in just a few seconds, and your site should be live for the visiting!

Congratulations! Believe it or not, that's all there is to it. You've successfully deployed your first web site.

You can contact Adam Pash, the author of this post, at tips+adam@lifehacker.com.  You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.