Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with transfers

Direct FTP please

Jason Land — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:52:20 -0800

How do I setup a FTP-like service without having a website? I'm of limited internet knowledge, but without using things like Rapidshare, I'd like to have an FTP-like function where I can open a program, have someone else also be logged on, and we can directly send large files to each other, without having to own and operate a website with a connected FTP server.

I guess it's technically like the AIM file transfer, but without using AIM, and more stable/secure.

I'm on a Macbook Pro, OSX 10.5.8. I have Cyberduck, if perhaps there is a hidden function there like what I'm asking about.

Best Way To Send Lots of Large Images?

citystalk — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:19:12 -0800

Easiest way to send 5,000 hi-res images? Over the internet? Using hard drives and mailing them? I have to send my client about 5,000 hi-res images currently stored on external hard drives. What is the best way to do this that takes the least amount of time? Would dropbox work? Or should my client just buy and send me a bunch of external hard drives for me to copy the files to?

Getting Documents Off Old PC

alcopop — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:57:27 -0800

I'm trying to get all the pertinent documents off of a Gateway 2000 PC running Windows 98 on to a new Dell running Vista Home Premium. The CD drive on the Gateway doesn't work, it has a floppy drive, and the CAT5 cable doesn't fit in the telephone only jacks. I tried to use my USB stick, but it can't find the drivers as it's not connected to the internet. The new computer has no floppy drive, so I can't just put the driver on a floppy. What do you recommend for the lowest cost and easiest solution? I'm staying with my aunt for one more day to try to help fix this, but I have to leave tomorrow (Monday) morning.

I'm trying to get all the pertinent documents off of a Gateway 2000 PC running Windows 98 on to a new Dell running Vista Home Premium. The CD drive on the Gateway doesn't work, it has a floppy drive, and the CAT5 cable doesn't fit in the telephone only jacks. I tried to use my USB stick, but it can't find the drivers as it's not connected to the internet. The new computer has no floppy drive, so I can't just put the driver on a floppy. What do you recommend for the lowest cost and easiest solution?

Will simultaneous network connections increase transfer speed?

unofficialsquaw.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:36:58 -0800

In transferring files between a mac pro and a macbook can I increase transfer speed by connecting the two via firewire, ethernet AND wireless simultaneously?

Hassleless travelling to and from Japan in comfort?

tittergrrl — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:34:22 -0800

A friend of mine and I are going to Japan in a couple months and are getting our tickets now. We'll be leaving from Washington, DC and will be arriving in Tokyo and leaving from Osaka later. I'm worried about comfort, he's worried about price. We're both worried about the hassle of switching/transferring between the two Tokyo airports on the way back. Suggestions? Basically, I really am worried about how long the trip is and being comfortable. I've heard good things about ANA and JAL and am somewhat worried about flying an American airline (he wants to do American or United since it's cheaper, but I've been reading some bad things about their flights) due to possibly lower service/amenities.

We were originally going to fly ANA over and back, but ANA makes one go from Osaka to HND, then having to travel cross Tokyo to get to NRT to fly out... within three hours, and it (supposedly) takes 75 minutes to get from one airport to another.

Does anyone have any experiences/suggestions regarding what to do? Am I just carrier-phobic? Do we really not so much to worry about transferring between the two airports?

Domo Arrigato!

Why do electronic fund transfers take so long?

ubernostrum — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 12:04:30 -0800

I'm a freelance web developer, and I've recently set up a PayPal business-level account to take payment from clients who prefer that method. But I'm growing more and more upset with the fact that it inevitably takes about a week from the day I get the notice of pending payment for the money to actually show up in my PayPal account, and another 4-5 days to get it out and into my bank account. What's the holdup? There are two reasons why the amount of "processing time" makes no sense to me:

First, the transfer is entirely electronic. That means, basically, that it comes down to making some database queries and shuffling some packets. I make my living building systems that make database queries and shuffle packets, so I know it doesn't take that long.

Second, I've Googled a bit, and while nothing directly relevant came up aside from some vague hand-waving about "processing time", the same search brought up plenty of hits about the Check 21 law, all of which say that while it used to take 3-4 days for a check to clear, now they ought to clear pretty much immediately (according to government info on Check 21, "within hours").

The second point there is a bit more important to me, since a couple of bank personnel I've spoken with have replied that "we have to do the paperwork on the transaction". Yet it seems to me that there's not much difference between cashing a check and moving some money online; if one can be cleared immediately, the other should be too. If one takes "3-4 business days" due to alleged paperwork, the other should too.

What's going on here?

New Computer Setup

Seth — Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:42:40 -0800

I just got a new computer. I would like to transfer multi-gigs worth of stuff to my new computer. Windows 98 to Windows XP. Can I do this through USB cables and just send it? Any advice on best ways to transfer large amounts? (Keep in mind that my old comp's cd burner doesn't work which is partly why I got a new comp.)