Interface

ExpeDat Client Interface

The ExpeDat Desktop main window allows you to view and manipulate files on both your local system and a remote ExpeDat server.  It follows the same general layout as most FTP clients, with server details on top, local files on the left, remote files on the right, and feedback on the bottom.

The top line identifies the server, your username and password (if needed), and settings for encryption and compression.  To contact the server, type "Return" one of those text fields or click the Go button.

Server The name or IP address of the host or the host group you wish to work with.  The drop-down menu will record the last several servers you have accessed.  If you need to access a server on an alternate UDP port number, enter the server address followed by a colon or plus and then the port number (server:port or server+port).  You may also type or paste an expedat:// URL.
User & Pass If the remote host requires authentication, enter the username and password provided by your administrator.
Encryption Check this box to enable AES encryption of content.  Request information, including usernames and passwords, is always encrypted regardless of this setting.
Compression  Check this box to enable ZLIB compression on all file transfers.  Compression is CPU intensive and may degrade performance, especially if the file is already compressed, encoded, or encrypted.
Status The upper right corner of the dialog box shows you what the program is doing at the moment.
Go Click the green arrow or type Return in one of the previous text fields to contact the server.  If successful, information about the server will be displayed in the message box at the bottom and a list of files (if any) will be displayed in the browser on the right.

The large lists on the middle left and right sides of the window are file browsers.  The left one is the Local Browser and shows you files on your computer, while the right one is the Remote Browser and may show you files or objects available for download on remote computers.  The amount of free filesystem space will be shown below each browser when this information is available.  If the remote system does not allow uploads, or if an error prevented the remote path from being listed, that information will be displayed instead.

Parent View the parent of the folder currently visible in the Local or Remote browser.
Refresh Refresh the file listing in the Local or Remote browser.  You can also refresh the listing by typing return in the path text field.
Browse Click the search icon to open a dialog box and select a new local folder.
Bookmark Click the bookmark icon to create an expedat:// URL for the current location or selection and copy it to the clipboard.  The URL can then be pasted into the Server field to return to that location or download the selected file.

Double click on a folder to display that folder's contents, or click the Parent button to display its parent's contents.  You may also type a pathname by hand, then press Return to view that path.  The Browse button allows you to navigate your local filesystem in a graphical dialog.  You may also drag and drop a local folder to view its contents.

Remote paths always use forward slashes for delimiters, regardless of what platform the server is running on.  Local paths use whatever format is appropriate for the local operating system.

The buttons in the center allow you to:

Options Configure optional settings and view version and license information.
Get a file or get a folder and its contents.
Send a file or send a folder and its contents.
Stop transactions already in progress.

If Object Handlers have been configured, a "Handlers" menu will also appear.

The buttons along the bottom allow you to manipulate items in the local or remote browser.

Rename Change the name, and possibly the path, of an item.
Delete Delete one or more items.
New Folder Create a new folder.
Filter Filter the listing by entering a name matching pattern.

The text box near the bottom of the window will show messages such as the identity of remote hosts, completion results, and errors.  This text can be recorded using the Log File setting in the options dialog.

At the bottom of the window is a progress bar which will track uploads and downloads.  The progress bar may be disabled or inaccurate when using the Compression, Streaming Folders, or Object Handlers.

When a transaction is in progress, text just below the progress bar will describe the action and report progress and speed.  The type of information displayed here will vary depending on the type of action being performed.