Easily Manage Remote Files with ExpanDrive

ExpanDrive is a beautiful OS X applications that mounts an SFTP (Secure FTP) connection as if it were another hard drive. It allows you to easily upload, delete, edit or move files like they were already on your computer.

I read John Gruber’s review of ExpanDrive a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try based on his recommendation.

The interface reminds me of Transmission, another extremely simple and sexy OS X application.

Setting up a new drive is extremely simple:

After connecting to the drive, you’ll see a new mounted drive in your finder window:

Changing directories, editing files and uploading is surprisingly fast. I wouldn’t recommend working remotely on files through this system, as a connection error can leave files corrupted. I learned that lesson the hard way.

I pulled up some remote images through quick look to see how ExpanDrive handled and was amazed how fast ExpanDrive actually works.

Of course, part of this is because of my Internet connection–but ExpanDrive only had a slight delay while displaying files. It emulates the file system very well.

There’s nothing to customize with ExpanDrive. The preferences page has four options:

ExpanDrive is simple but elegant. It stays out of the way in the menubar and delivers exactly what it promises.

If you’d like to access remote files through a network drive, ExpanDrive seems to be your best solution.

ExpanDrive costs $29, but has a fully functional trial you can try before you buy.

Similar Posts:

• Using Macfuse To Mount FTP and SSH as “iDisks”
• Creating a Free Alternative to iDisk
• How To Partition a Hard Drive
• Freedom - Blocking Yourself From the Internet
• Share your Internet Connection Wirelessly

I Like This Tip!

Written by Brad Jasper on March 22, 2008 at 10:54 pm - Easily Manage Remote Files with ExpanDrive has 5 comments - Categorized in Cool OS X Apps, Finder Tips, Intermediate Tips

5 Responses to “Easily Manage Remote Files with ExpanDrive”

1. 
   Krystanos
   For free, you can use MacFusion/MacFuse/sshfs...
   Can mount FTP/SFTP/SSH hard drives...
   $29 saved... :) March 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 am
   
   
2. 
   Brad Jasper
   Krystanos,
   
   Thanks, didn't know about those. I'll check them out.
   
   Thanks,
   Brad March 23rd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
   
   
3. 
   Tanja
   I second MacFusion. From what I can tell, it does the exact same thing (except also mounts SSH 'disks' yaay) and comes with a better price. I've had zero problems with it.
   It takes a teensy bit more work to set up, you first have to install sshfs and macfuse (in that order I think) and then you can download and install http://code.google.com/p/macfusion/
   
   Judging from the screenshots the interface looks roughly the same as this ExpanDrive. I haven't tried ExpanDrive myself, MacFusion works well enough to take away the need to try something else ;) March 23rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
   
   
4. 
   Matt
   could not get it to work but on the advise of the 2 other comments I went with macfusion and am very happy so far. March 25th, 2008 at 9:07 am
   
   
5. 
   Brad Jasper
   Based on everyones advice I'll take a look at MacFusion. If there's enough of a difference I'll do a tip on it.
   
   Thanks for the advice all. March 25th, 2008 at 10:56 am
   
   

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