ZitaFTP Server
A fast, secure, and easy to use FTP(S) server.
ZitaFTP Server is mature enough that the pre-release label has been removed. It took far longer than expected, but we're here. In some ways it's just a small label change. However, it's a major milestone to go from what's effectively a public beta to a mature project.
This doesn't mean that work is done. I have plenty of ideas for additional functionality, and bugs may well still lurk in the code. Still, it's great to reach this point, and it's worth celebrating.
A bug report came in from a someone who tried to install the Windows version of ZitaFTP Server. The bug was in the installer, meaning he couldn't even try it out.
That might sound like a bad thing, but it's actually good because:
- I can now fix the bug which definitely affects others, which will allow more people to successfully install it**
- It confirms that complete strangers are discovering and trying out ZitaFTP Server. We currently don't have a method of measuring how many people are trialing the software, in part because we want to respect people's privacy (i.e., no invasive tracking)
** Always be grateful for bug reports: https://keasigmadelta.com/blog/be-grateful-for-bug-reports-yes-really/
The Windows version is finally out! It's taken extra long, due to Windows restrictions such as services not being allowed to show a GUI. Not knowing about these restrictions cost a lot of extra time. Nevertheless, it's here.
ZitaFTP is still in a pre-release state. Functionality-wise, it's "me-too" product at this stage. It's very good as a LAN file server. I look forward to getting feedback from end-users.
-
1
While ZitaFTP is in its pre-release phase, it's promising to see progress.
-
1
Thanks. It's actually out of pre-release state now: https://www.indiehackers.com/product/zitaftp-server/pre-release-no-more--NFTaMcFx57_BnnDxZyX
Progress has been rather slow of late, due to me having to focus on other projects that are more likely to bring in money sooner rather than later.
I have big plans for ZitaFTP (e.g., https://keasigmadelta.com/zitasync), but am having trouble finding the right audience. The original audience I was targeting turned out to be overwhelmingly "make it open-source and give it to us for free." Obviously that's not going to keep the lights on...
-
ZitaFTP Server finally has (part of) its web-based UI working. This took months longer than it should have due to extra work and all sorts of delays (e.g., sickness, last-minute bug discoveries, etc.).
The extra work came because one of the target platforms (AmigaOS) couldn't handle any of the existing C++ web frameworks, so I ended up writing my own. That added a lot of extra work.
With future projects I'll probably work the other way round. If a platform like AmigaOS doesn't have all the libs/dependencies needed, then I'll release the software on another platform first. If the product does well, then I'll be able to pay someone to port the needed dependencies. Otherwise, I'll drop the project without wasting months and months to get it working on specific platforms.
The first sales have come in! The marketing was basically releasing a series of videos on youtube and my blog, and then sharing them on Amiga computer forums.
I have the advantage that the Amiga computer community already know and respect me. Plus, they're always happy to see new software for their platform. So, less persuasion was required then if it had been to a cold audience. On the downside, the Amiga computer community is also small, so I'll hit saturation quickly.
The first bug reports have also come in, and I have a lot of features that need to be implemented before I'm confident enough to release the Windows version. There's lot's of work to do...
It took a long time (including a period when the project was put on hold), but ZitaFTP Server's MVP has finally been released.
It's for AmigaOS only (with an unreleased Windows version in the background), and it's got a fraction of the planned features. The GUI is a makeshift one, using dialog boxes (a.k.a., requesters). However, it's a working FTPS server, and it's for sale.
Comment