# README file for ftpsync.pl Contents: ========= - Overview - Why should I use ftpsync.pl instead of mirror, sitecopy, ...? - Requirements/restrictions - Bug reports, contact - License - Updates - Thanks Overview: --------- ftpsync.pl synchronizes a local directory tree and a remote FTP directory tree. Initially it was written to automate web publishing, but might be useful for some other purposes, like mirroring not-too-large public sites, data replication, and more. Call "ftpsync.pl -h" to get a short parameter explanation. Why use ftpsync.pl instead of mirror, sitecopy, ...? ---------------------------------------------------- Yes, there are similar projects, hence some comments on them: Compared to mirror, ftpsync.pl is capable of PUTting, not only GETting stuff. (Don't blame me if mirror is able to PUT, I couldn't find a way.) Compared to sitecopy, if the remote site was changed by other tools and/or activites since the previous run of the synchronization tool, ftpsync.pl doesn't get a hard time. Unless network problems occur or bugs come into action, ftpsync.pl does a synchronizes reliably. Compared to both tools, ftpsync.pl is very lightweight. ;-)) Requirements / Restrictions: ---------------------------- - Perl 5.6+ ftpsync.pl was initially developed on Perl 5.6.0-81 on SuSE Linux 7.2, older Perl 5.x version might work. Test reports welcome at ftpsync@ibcl.at! - File::Find, IO::Handle IMHO parts of the basic perl package. - Net::FTP Part of the libnet-perl package. - File::Listing Part of the libwww-perl package. - UNIX like operating systems on local system Porting to DOS based systems should be easily done by changing the directory separator. - Perhaps, the script does not work with all FTP servers. It is being tested only against UNIX based FTP servers. Bug-Reports, contact: --------------------- Besides ftpsync.sourceforge.net, ftpsync@ibcl.at is a good target for comments of any kind. License: -------- FTPSync.pl is GNU/GPL software and eMail ware. FTPSync.pl as GNU/GPL software: ------------------------------- FTPSync.pl (ftpsync.pl) is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or at your option) any later version. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details. You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA See attached file COPYING. FTPSync.pl as eMail ware: ------------------------- FTPSync.pl is also eMail ware, which means that the initial author (Christoph Lechleitner) would like to get an eMail (to ftpsync@ibcl.at), - if anyone uses the script on production level, - if anyone distributes or advertises it in any way, - if anyone starts to (try to) improve it. Updates ------- The software and updates should be available from http://ftpsync.sourceforge.net/ http://www.ibcl.at/ossw/FTPSync Thanks ------ Thanks to all who have provided comments and enhancements. Namely (in order of versions affected): - Michiel Steltman (provided 1.24) - Samuel Marshall (provided most of 1.27) - Elias Bröms http://www.eliasit.se/ (provided 1.28) - Brian Drawert (proposed 1.29) - Niklas Therning http://therning.org/niklas (proposed 1.2.30) - Ronnie T. Moore http://alwayswebhosting.com/ (typo hint leading to 1.2.31) - Brian Drawert (provided 1.2.32) - Jose A. Otero (proposed 1.2.33) - Wolfram Sieber (enhanced this README, 1.2.34) - Peter Bohn (proposed MD5 feature, refused) - Alexander Klein (-t feature, 1.2.34)