Discovering Cyberduck: An Easy-to-Use FTP Client

A Clever Duck Indeed

Recently, I found myself increasingly frustrated with the process of downloading files from Google Drive for burning to disk. Google often compresses files into ZIP folders and even renames some of them, leading to endless confusion. Determined to find a better solution, I did some research and discovered Cyberduck—a highly recommended FTP client that seemed to address my exact needs.

Cyberduck is a libre server and cloud storage browser available for both Mac and Windows. Its user-friendly interface allows seamless connections to servers, enterprise file-sharing platforms, and popular cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox which is ideal for my purposes. This makes it incredibly easy to download, upload, and manage files without the usual headaches associated with cloud-based storage systems.

Despite the software now costing just over £20, I decided to give it a try—and I’m glad I did. Cyberduck has made the task of downloading and organising files for burning much more efficient. It integrates smoothly with various services, enabling me to bypass the issues caused by Google’s compression and file renaming. Given my recent investment in M-Disk format 50GB and 25GB disks, the convenience Cyberduck provides is well worth the expense.

Installing Cyberduck is straightforward, especially for first-time FTP users. Simply double-click the downloaded icon, and the application opens, ready for use. There are no ads, promotions, or plugins required, ensuring a clean and streamlined experience from the start.

Once opened, the main interface displays a central panel showing your local or remote directory, with essential tools and settings conveniently located at the top. Quick links, including bookmarks, recent connections, and Bonjour—Cyberduck’s WebDAV auto-discovery feature—sit on the left side, just below the Open Connection icon. This icon is key to connecting with your desired server or cloud storage service.

Other useful features include the Action icon, which offers file management options, and the Refresh icon, which updates the display to show any recent changes on the server. The Edit icon allows for direct file modifications with auto-upload enabled, ensuring that any changes are instantly saved. If you prefer a personalised workspace, you can even customise the toolbar by navigating to the View tab and selecting “Customize Toolbar.” Adding the Upload, Download, and Transfers icons can further streamline your workflow, I also added the Delete icon to allow me to quickly and easily delete files once downloaded.

Ultimately, Cyberduck has transformed how I manage my cloud storage and file transfers. What began as a search for a solution to a frustrating problem has led to the discovery of an efficient, user-friendly tool that simplifies the entire process. If you often work with cloud storage or FTP transfers, I highly recommend giving Cyberduck a try—it might just save you as much time and frustration as it did for me.

Is a Journal Worth The Effort?

Leuchtturm 1917 & Sony ICD SX712

Writing a journal does require a bit of effort but as time and technology moves on it is getting quicker and easier to do.

I still keep a few notes as things happen during the day but I’ve changed what I do at the end of the day to produce a better and more complete record. I now use a SONY voice recorder that I’ve had for years to dictate my daily journal using my notebook notes as a prompt, it takes just a few minutes to do this.

Once done I get the .mp3 file off the recorder and drag it into a transcription application called AIKO which is frankly unbelievably accurate. The AIKO app uses the Whisper large v2 model on macOS and the medium or small model on iOS depending on available memory. AIKO transcribes audio directly on your device, ensuring complete privacy it is perfect for sensitive recordings. Apart from writing journal entries AIKO easily converts speech to text from meetings, lectures, phone calls and more.

I’ve been surprised how often it is useful and enjoyable to be able to refer back to things in my journal. I used to post things to Twitter and Facebook but I no longer bother with these platfoms now that they are infected with untruths, scammers, misinformation and far worse.

Does it all matter in the grand scheme of things? Probably not, but for me at least a journal makes some sense of the passing time and stops memories and events just becoming an impenetrable fog. There is no doubt, based on my experience, that the value of a written and searchable record rises as time passes. Initially it can feel like a chore but after a while I’ve come to value these records more and more.

Ask yourself the question, what did you do on the 23rd October 2014? If you have no idea, which I wouldn’t have without my journal, maybe a brief written record would have made that day just a little more valued, we only have so many of them!

Why I’ve Chosen M-Disc for Long-Term Data Archiving

Verbatim BD-R 25GB

After researching different storage solutions, I have decided to invest in an M-Disc compatible burner and reader, along with some M-Discs. My primary goal is to securely archive important digital material for the long term, prioritising reliability over speed or convenience.

Why M-Disc?

M-Disc (Millenniata Disc) is a unique optical storage medium designed specifically for long-term data preservation. Unlike traditional DVDs or Blu-rays, which degrade over time due to the organic dyes used in their recording layers, M-Discs utilise a rock-like inorganic material that is resistant to environmental factors such as light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. This makes them ideal for archiving important files.

While standard DVDs have a lifespan of only 7-10 years before they may well start degrading, M-Discs are rated to last up to 1,000 years, ensuring that stored data remains intact for future generations. This remarkable longevity makes them a compelling option for anyone looking to preserve valuable digital assets.

My Use Case for M-Disc

I plan to transfer a significant amount of stored material onto M-Discs over time. One of the main drivers behind this decision is my current camera, which produces extremely large file sizes. Instead of consuming cloud storage (and paying for it over years) or overloading the SSD on my iMac, I can use M-Discs to maintain the original files in a safe and permanent format.

I have chosen Verbatim 25GB M-Discs for this project. Although M-Discs have slower write speeds compared to conventional discs, this is not a concern for me, as my primary focus is durability and data integrity rather than quick access. They are written once and that’s it.

Benefits of M-Disc Optical Media

M-Discs offer several advantages over traditional storage methods:

• Longevity: With a lifespan of up to 1,000 years, they far surpass the durability of standard DVDs and Blu-rays and of course flash drives.
• Data Integrity: The rock-like recording layer ensures that data remains intact, free from degradation.
• Universal Compatibility: M-Discs can be read on any standard DVD or Blu-ray drive, making data retrieval easy.
• Resistance to Environmental Factors: Unlike hard drives or flash storage, M-Discs are impervious to magnetic interference and electronic failures. Who knows when the next Carrington Event is going to hit Earth?

Ideal Applications for M-Disc

M-Disc technology is widely used across various fields where data preservation is critical, including:

• Archiving Personal and Family Histories: Perfect for safeguarding family photos, home videos, and important documents.
• Medical Records Storage: Ensures the long-term preservation of critical patient data.
• Legal and Government Documents: Provides a secure and reliable medium for sensitive records.
• Photography and Videography: A reliable solution for professionals and amateurs alike who wish to archive high-resolution images and videos.

Final Thoughts

M-Disc technology aligns perfectly with my archiving needs, offering a secure and long-lasting storage solution. By investing in an M-Disc burner and reader, I can systematically transfer and protect my digital files without relying on potentially costly cloud services or volatile storage media.

Much has been written on Reddit and elsewhere about whether the Verbatim M-Discs are “real” M-Discs or not, based on all sorts of criteria but in the end it is simply not possible to to get to the bottom of the “science” behind various opinions/claims being expressed. For my part I am happy to make my decision to use M-Discs to archive my material and to stick with it in the belief that these Verbatim M-Discs are at the very least going to last a good while and are stable, more stable than the alternatives. In the end all you can do is make the best decision you can, go with it, and hope!

Rightly or wrongly I’m confident that these will outlast CDs, DVDs, SSDs, HDs, SDs, SDHCs, USB Sticks and probably cloud storage too but time will, as always, reveal all. Cloud storage is all very well but there is going to be a huge volume of data “lost” when folks sadly pass away and nobody else has the keys to the castle.

At the time of writing I have invested in an ASUS BW-16D1H-U PRO External Blu-ray Writer which I bought from Amazon at a reduced price as the box was “damaged” but it looked fine to me and works perfectly. I suspect that someone bought it and changed his/her mind. This writer allows me to write M-Discs holding 4.7GB, 25GB or 50GB of data which is enough choice for me, I don’t need to be able to write the 100GB M-Discs. Interestingly at the moment the 25GB discs work out to be the more cost effective storage option. A pack of 5x25GB discs is £19.86 so about 15p per GB and a pack of 5x50GB discs is £63.53 so about 25p per GB, that’s a big difference but it’s not always easy to fill a 50GB disc.

For anyone looking for a robust and future-proof method to preserve data, I believe that M-Disc technolgy is well worth considering even though many may think of optical storage as being “old” technology. Reliability matters.

You can read lots more about M-Disc here.