[Re]Encoded.com

Finally, A Replacement for FTP

FTP has long been the worlds number one solution for transfer of files. It is well constructed, and easy to use but remains inherently insecure due to the fact no encryption is built in. Anyone on the same network with a reasonable amount of knowledge and a packet sniffer can capture all of the data you transmit as nothing is done to protect it. FTP has attempted to make some adjustments towards encryption but the technology was invented before many of the methods they use now such as SSL. FTPS or FTP over SSL is one common solution to this problem. However, an SSL connection requires the use of an SSL certificate and must be setup and maintained to get any amount of protection from it. FTP also does not keep files separate between users unless you constantly manage your installation. Transfer between users becomes difficult and remains unencrypted.

FTP over SSH is also often used to fix the encryption problem with FTP. However, FTP uses multiple TCP connections and it becomes particularly difficult to tunnel over SSH. Many SSH clients will set up protection over the control channel (usually port 21) but as FTP uses multiple connections, the FTP software will often set up additional TCP connections not protected by the SSH installation on the control channel thereby nullifying any effort to protect your data.

Single Wrench has finally offered an alternative that fixes many of these key issues. Files are encrypted during upload and download as well as all communication between servers being encrypted. Files are hosted on their servers so you do not need to monitor an installation or keep around expensive hardware. Single Wrench provides separate user accounts with easy transfers that don’t require users to install any software such as an FTP client on their system. If you send files, you will be notified of receipt so you never have to wonder if it got there. Single Wrench remains highly customizable and offers online control as well as FTP-like connections.

Sign up with Single Wrench now to try it out. They offer a 30-day trial so there’s no reason not to give it a try and see what you’ve been missing out on. If you do decide to purchase their services, use our link below to get 10% off.

Tags: Encrypted FTP, FTP, FTP over SSH, FTPS, Single Wrench, Solutions

20 of The Best Uses of Color in Current Web Design

Many sites “play it safe” when choosing colors. Brilliant colors have to be carefully controlled to avoid looking amateur. I’ve selected these 20 sites for excellent use of color along with their overall web design. Quality of CSS, features, ease of use all come into play as well. Hope you enjoy!

EDIT:

http://silverbackapp.com/
http://www.willportifolio.com.br/
http://wpglamour.com/
http://www.notified.tv/
http://adaptd.com/
http://www.base6design.com/
http://www.mydezzign.com/
http://www.ebugogo.tv/
http://www.yovivoenvigo.com/
http://rosevillehwc.com/
http://www.speaklight.com/
http://www.serj.ca/
http://shylands.com/explore/
http://www.volll.com/#section_main
http://www.regata.co.il/
http://www.activate-p-s.com/
http://www.twistsystems.co.uk/
http://avalonstar.com/
http://www.webdesign-aus-bremen.de/freelancer.html
http://goodworksmedia.com/index.htm

Also check out this site for unlimited web template downloads

7 Firefox Addons I Use Every Day

Colorzilla – Colorzilla allows you to capture the hex code (e.g #FFF000) of any color you see on the web. This allows you to match colors and grab the exact code of colors you like on other sites. When also used in combination with Adobe Kuler, Colorzilla cures Kuler’s problem of not displaying HTML codes for the selected colors.

Foxmarks – Foxmarks replaces your traditional bookmarking capabilities with synchronized bookmarks. Foxmarks synchronizes your bookmarks with an online account and any computer you install the addon to automatically whenever you close your browser. It takes about two seconds and guarantees that you’ll never be without your bookmarks, whether at a public computer or at home.

Google Toolbar – Google Toolbar is rather simplistic but adds some much needed features to my browser. First, it can replace the standard Firefox search with Google search which is a bit cleaner to look at. Second, it adds a Gmail notifier that lets me know whenever I have new mail with a simple icon. It also adds quick links to some Google services I use often such as Google maps.

Window Resizer – Working as a web developer, it’s important to view my sites in different browsers and different screen resolutions. Window Resizer emulates different screen resolutions be resizing the browser window to different sizes (e.g. 800×600).

Firebug – Firebug is, in my opinion, the most useful addon for a Firefox-based web developer. You can edit your HTML from Firebug, find errors, change your CSS and many more options all from one console. I cannot describe Firebug as well as they can, so please take a look at the Firebug site at http://getfirebug.com/

YSlow – YSlow is not an addition to firebug but is integrated with it for information exchange. YSlow analyzes any web page and generates a grade for each rule and an overall grade. If a page can be improved, YSlow lists the specific changes to be made. YSlow is especially useful on high traffic sites where limiting the number of HTTP requests makes more of a difference but has great suggestions for smaller sites as well.

Colorful Tabs – Colorful tabs doesn’t have any big use in web development but it speeds up my overall surfing. Tabs can be colored by many different options allowing you to find important sites at a glance or just to differentiate between tabs easier.

What addons are indispensable to you?