Our reader Nikola tipped us about another qualitative shareware BitKinex ( last price $34 ) which became a freeware on March 22nd, 2009.
Of course we should all note the important statement : ” Please note that the whole BitKinex development has been stopped. The latest version is distributed under the freeware license.” … But we were so impressed by this software that we decided to go ahead with this article.
When we see the number of 1-2-3 years old versions of qualitative software we’re all glad to find in free promotions … We’re sure that everyone looking for this kind of professional-like tool will grabb it and use it untill another good free opportunity will occur.
“BitKinex is a handy network client supporting multiple transfer protocols (FTP, FTP(S), SFTP, HTTP(S) and WebDAV). In contrast to other clients BitKinex uses multiple connections not only for file transfers but for browsing remote directories as well. With just one click you can minimize the space occupied by the program to one small window showing the status of running requests, and with just a few clicks you can see all the details again.”
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Key features as a great FTP client, a fast, secure, full-featured WebDAV client and a Secure FTP Client (SFTPFTPS):
- upload your web pages to a server
- syncronize the contents of your directories
- great tool for a network administrator managing multiple FTP servers
- it allows automating and simplifying daily tasks
- it also performs server-to-server transfers, backups or mirroring
- increased speed
# uses multiple connections not only for file transfers but also for deletion or browsing of remote directories
# automatically uses high speed multipart and multithreaded file transfers whenever possible
- trouble-free processing of even complex FTP tasks
# built-in request manager keeps track of all your tasks in detail (uploading web pages, moving complex directory structures, editing remote files, creating new directories, …)
# interrupted incomplete requests can be automatically resumed by application restart
- Well proven security standards
# supports strong cryptographic algorithms used in banking and other mission-critical systems
# optional password protection for your server definitions
- Space-saving user interface - minimizes the amount of space occupied on your desktop to one small window showing the status of running requests
- You can connect to FTP sites using any of the secure protocols available today, including SSL or SSH.
- A large number of implemented encryption algorithms with the support for the zlib compression and rekeying allows you to fully utilize the entire SSH protocol capabilities
- the automatic usage of multiple connections as well as resumption of interrupted transfers will make your work fast and easy as never before.”
“System Requirements
* Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
* Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher
* Pentium compatible processor or higher
* 512 Mb RAM
* 30 Mb disk space for the application + an appropriate amount of disk space for the temporary storage (depends on the size of the largest file transferred)”
Detailed features from the official site :
Request Processing
* All Requests Resumable by Default
* Parallel Request Processing
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* Indirect Transfers Supported for All Implemented Protocols
* Direct Server-to-Server (FXP) Transfers
* Multiple Connections Automatically Used for All Requests
* Multi-Part Trasnfers
* Filtered Requests
* Scheduled Requests
* Extended Versions of All Requests
* Request History
* Stop, Pause or Restart Requests
* Skip, Pause or Resume Particular Files or Directories
* Auto-detect Transfer Type (ASCII / Binary)
* Auto-detect FTP Transfer Mode (PASV / PORT)
* Preserve File Update Times
* Adjustable Paramaters of Running Requests
* Automatic Exit, Suspend and Shutdown upon Request Completion
* “Remote Edit”, “Find Files” and “Replace in Files” Support
* Change File Properties (CHMOD) Support (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, local)
* Windows/Unix New-Line Convertors
* Uppercase/Lowercase Convertors
* File/Directory Comparisons
* File Name Conversions
* Overwrite Rules
* Custom Request Names
* Command Line Interface Allowing to Start Requests of All Types
* Custom FTP commands
* WebDAV File Locking
* Recursive CHMOD
* Resolving of Symbolic Link
* HTML Parsing (Server Content Retrieval)
Connection and Data Source Management
* FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, HTPS, WebDAV Support
* Support for FTP, HTTP SOCKS 4 and SOCKS 5 Proxy Servers
* Auto-detect Windows Proxy Settings
* Step-by-Step Connection Wizard
* Quick Connect Dialog
* Blowfish-Encrypted Data Source Repository
* Import Sites from other FTP Clients
* Export Data Sources (in BitKinex or Text Format)
* Unlimited Number of Opened Connections
* Bandwidth Throttle
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* Network Traffic Monitor
* FTP Port Range Limiter
* Support for Unicode-Compatible Sites (UTF8)
* Connection Keep-Alive
* Separate Tab for Favorite Data Sources
* Automatic On-Demand Connect
* Automatic and Manual Disconnect
User Interface
* Messenger-like Program Control
* Site Navigation Without Freezing Windows
* Properties Inheritance
* Configuration Wizards
* Fully Customizable Look of all Windows
* “Always on Top” Support
* “Find in Window” Support
* Unlimited Number of Simultaneously Opened Browse Windows
* Support for Multiple Connections/Threads in a Single Browse Window
* Content of Two Data Sources Optionally Displayed in a Single Window
* File Filtering in Browse Windows
* Fully customizable Date/Time Formats
* File Sorting on Name, Type, Size, Update Time, etc.
* Directory Bookmarks
* Support for Default Directories
* Windows Explorer Integration
* Internet Explorer Integration
* Startup Tips
* Keyboard Accelerators
* Drag-and-Drop and Clipboard Operations
* High-Color Menu and Toolbar Icons
* Minimize To System Tray Support
* Synchronized Browsing
* Transparent Windows
* Background Images
* Sound Alerts
Security
* Blowfish Encrypted Site Passwords
* Built-in Certificate Manager
* Root CA Store
* Easily Manageble List of Trusted Certificates and Public Keys
* Implicit FTP SSL Support (port 990)
* Explicit FTP SSL, TLS Support (AUTH command)
* HTTP SSL Support (port 443)
* HTTP Basic and Digest Authentication
* SFTP over SSH2
* SSH2 Password and Public Key Authentication
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click on images for original size view
You can download here the 7,5 MB installer. During installation just click on “Next” when you’re asked for the username and registration key.
We’re great fans and we’re usually using Filezilla as our FTP cliet but we must admit BitKinex 3.1.1 is as reliable as Filezilla … And a bit more complex when you look on the impressive list of features from above.
Thank you Nikola !
Enjoy everybody !
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Related posts:
Hi guys!
I’m impressed by this software. My friend who’s a network administrator just told me he ’s using BitKinex everyday for managing his multiple FTP servers.
Installed fine on my Vista Home Premium .
Thanks Nikola and 4 Free!
1 point
Hi Paps and thank you!
Sound great.
But since there’re so many great ftp clients, and also some freeone as FileZilla , WinSCP, CoreFTP Lite, the free licence was too late.
Wish the webdav feature will gain some users.
1 point
Thank you!
I’m sure it has great quality but I have no use for it.
Hope other 4 Free-ers will need and appreciate it.
Keep the good work guys!
1 point
Thank you Sandra!
Great find indeed…
Thanks to Nikola…
1 point
Hi! Why did you change your username ?
can it connect box.net?
It must be a very good app if 4 Free is recommending it
Sorry but I don’t use a FTP client since I don’t have a site or a web backup.
Appreciate your work and thanks Nikola !
Cheers!
1 point
Thank you Greg!
It looks great but I will stick with Filezilla. ( never used WebDAV )
Thanks anyway!
1 point
Thank you xav !
Hi !
Just want to thank Nikola ( and 4 free of course ) for sharing this interesting tip.
Cheers!
-Mick-
1 point
Hi Mick! It’s on us to thank you, Nikola and all our readers!
Hi friends!
The music stuff was not my cup of tea but I must admit I’m impressed by BitKinex.
Downloaded and installed flawless. It does what is says and it works like a charm.
Thanks 4 Free and Nikola!
Regards!
1 point
Hi Maria! Glad you like Nikola’s find.
Regards!
Looks like a solid software.
Thanks Nikola and guys!
1 point
Thank you-Brian, Nikola and all our readers !
tsong asked if BitKinex could connect to box.net. It can! Here is what You must do:
1. Right click on Http/WebDAV in BitKinex’s main window and select New->Http/WebDAV and give this server a name.
2. Type http://www.box.net in Server address textbox, leave None for Security, and type your box.net username and password.
3. Click on Site Map on left menu, and then click on Remove All, type /dav in textbox, choose Directory(WebDAV-compliant) from combobox and click on Add and OK.
That’s it! It worked for me.
I made small tutorial with Camtasia that does the same steps from above. It can be downloaded from link http://www.box.net/shared/4f501a0ius
Thank 4 free for Camtasia!
10 points
Thank YOU Nikola! Nice tutorial !
Sorry, in last post I made a mistake. You should type box.net in Server address textbox instead http://www.box.net.
If You download Camtasia tutorial, just unpack it and open bitkinex.html with your browser.
Thanks 4 free for BitKinex review!
2 points
It’s on us to thank YOU Nikola!
Regards!
Hi guys!!
i don’t have a website and i am not in need of this.
anyhow great post from Nikola!! cheers!!
thanks
bye!
1 point
Hi mayur!
thx Nikola, very good tutorial !
2 points
well, just happened to coin a new username, liked it, and thought of having it. shall maintain it hereafter, as you might wish the same for the sake of uniformity. I understand. cheers!
1 point
Works great!
Really makes it simple to transfer my files from home to school. I also use a USB for my sotrage, but when I work from home and want to run a large simulation on a fast machine at school, this is my new default for moving the files! So much easier than command line….
THANKS!!
1 point
Glad it’s useful!
This is an incredible software!!! I belive it wasn’t a free! This have a true commercial profile.
Easy, robust, full of feature.
I want to say something about xbeta.info comment: You say it was too late for this software to become free; you mentioned FileZilla, WinScp, CoreFTP lite.
Filezilla have many annoying lacks: eg you cannot change the order of your queue!! Is it possible!!??!??! WinSCP, it’s great, but resume transfer and thread gesture isn’t at the tob.
CoreFTP is nice, but lacks of features.
With BitKinex, you can do whatever you want! Change queue, start/stop/pause transfert with signals. You have scripting, inside! Scheduled transfers
I will gently put my Filezilla in the trash can. (since I’ve used it until BitKinex)
5 points
Hi !
If you’re the developer himself … Congrats for your software !
And if you’re a simple 4Free reader : congrats for your mini-review !
Best regards !
I found this before, when I was looking for secure FTP client… by “secure” I mean program that allows you to store your ftp login details (passwords etc.) securely - encrypted & password protected. Most freeware FTP apps don’t do that - I was using FileZilla, my system was compromised and hackers gained acces to one of my websites (FileZilla stores passwords in plain text). I tried this client, it looked promising, but… well, it’s simply piece of… you know what. It’s unstable, it will randomly crash, sometimes it will hang on transfer etc. How did I find this? Well, I used this as my main FTP client for about a week or so.
2 points
Hum …
There are other pozitive reviews … But we can only respect your opinion.
Thank you!