How do you transfer files between your computer and your Pocket PC? There are quite a few ways, depending on the situation right? For one, you could use the Explorer function when you are connected via ActiveSync. Or if you are using a remote program like SOTI’s Pocket Controller, you can use their File Explorer application as well. But what if you do not want to use ActiveSync you ask? Well, you could always use WM5Storage (currently at v1.8). While this does not require an ActiveSync, you are connected at USB1.1 speeds and through a wire. Would you prefer a wireless option and faster rate?

If you say yes, then here is one option that you might want to look into: MochaSoft FTP Server for Windows Mobile. It used to be a commercial software but you can now download it for free. Don’t be worried if you see the registration screen because you can register it using the following username and password:

• username: freeware
• password: 111425

Those credentials are given by the company, in case you are wondering, in this page which describes it’s features. So how does this application fare? Do you need it?

Finding The Application

Well before we go into the gist of the application, here is a problem which you might face when getting the application. When you follow the link above which describes the software, you will notice a download button at the end of the page. Click on it and you will be taken to another page which is where you can get the software.

Now here is where the fun begins. I scrolled to the second table, the one that says Product (with touch screen) because I am using a Pocket PC but I could not find anything remotely connected to FTP there. I though it had a different name so I proceeded to download and install all 3 applications that you see in that table. Unfortunately, none of the applications were the ones I was looking for.

So where is the application you ask?

Well it’s actually found in the last row on the third table (with the heading Older Pocket PC devices (with touch screen)) with the name Mocha FTP Server, Pocket PC 200x or Windows Mobile. Released as freeware. That is the application you want to download.

First Look

When you first launch the software, you see a screen like the one above, making you assume that it’s a commercial software. Well it used to be but you can now get it free. Go ahead and click Trial if you want to use it or Register to register the product. You can use the following credentials to get your free (legal) copy:

• username: freeware
• password: 111425

Once passed that screen, you will the next screen above. This shows you the status of the FTP server, which is run by your Pocket PC. The I.P. Address is the one that you want to take note of because that is what you will want to key into your browser (be it Firefox, Internet Explorer or any other browser of your fancy).

To get started quickly, you will type the following into the address bar of your browser:

ftp://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

where you replace the x with your IP address. Using my screen shot as an example, I would type in ftp://192.168.1.44 and hit enter. You will then be presented with a web page that looks like something below:

Don’t be alarmed, that’s the normal way an FTP server will list it’s files (unless it’s modified). That same file directory is the one that you would see if you were connected to your Pocket PC via ActiveSync or any other file browsing application. You can practically access (and transfer to your PC) any file on your Pocket PC from that screen, be in /Windows/ folder or those found in your storage card.

Is It Safe?

So that’s the number 1 question on your mind? Not to worry. By default, anonymous logins are enable, meaning anyone can access your Pocket PC if they know the IP address to connect to.

User configuration screen	Adding a new user is easy

You can change this setting by going to File > Settings, and under the Users tab, make sure that the check box beside Allow anonymous login is empty (that is no tick). If you do that, anyone who wants to connect to your Pocket PC FTP server would need login credential and you can create one by tapping on Add and filling up the form. You can even grant access rights, that means whether you want the user to only be able to read the files on your device or read and write files to your device.

Network tab	Other tab

The other 2 tabs (Network and Other) are not important and can be left as is. If you are facing problems with connections, look here to change some settings as that could be the cause of the problem.

Can I Copy Files To The Pocket PC?

Yes, but not through your browser. Remember, this is an FTP server application that you are running so it supports the standard FTP commands. To copy files to your Pocket PC, you will need an FTP client. The one I am using in this example is FileZilla which you can download for free. After installing FileZilla, launch the application and go to File > Site Manager to set up the connection. A box similar to the one below will pop up:

Click New Sites and then enter a name for that site. I called mine Pocket PC. Here are the options that you will need to change:

• Host: This is your I.P. address. Just put in the numbers here.
• Port: 21
• Servertype: FTP

If you allowed anonymous connections, you can click connect and transfer away. If you did not, then you will need to make some more changes:

• Logontype: Normal
• User: the username that you created on the FTP application on your Pocket PC
• Password: the password for that username

Once done, click connect. If you get an error, check your settings as something you entered must be wrong.

So now that you get the directory of your Pocket PC on the right window and your PC on the left, you can easily transfer files between the 2 devices just as easily and quickly.

What Else Can I Use This For?

Well, because this is an FTP server, your device can be really useful in some instances. Like if you want to share files with your friends, you no longer need to send them via Bluetooth. Just fire up this application and give your friends your I.P. address and you can transfer your files to a maximum of 25 friends at one time. How’s that for file sharing?

This is just one of the ways you could use this application. I am sure you can think of more useful instances based on your situation.

Why Should I Use This?

Well I have already covered some really good reasons but there are a few others why you would want to have this application.

For one, it keeps the connection alive. Unlike other applications that allows wireless file transfer (like Total Commander’s FTP feature), this one keeps the connection and device alive as long as it is running. With Total Commander, my device goes into standby after 2 minutes (the time which I set on my Power Settings) and as such, I have to keep an eye on it. With this application, I could turn it on, leave it to transfer files between my PC and Pocket PC and go off to do something else without worrying about the connection being cut.

It also has a security timer which automatically cuts off inactive sessions which makes it safer for you to operate.

What other reasons do you need to use this application?

What I Like About The Program

• Easy to use
• Fast
• Supports FTP commands
• Allows up to 25 connections
• Choose between anonymous and normal login
• ‘Live’ logs to see the transfer activity

What Could Be Improved

• Make it easier to find on the download site
• Support for softkeys

Conclusion

If you are constantly transferring between files between your PC and Pocket PC or even among friends, this is an application that you will want to install. It’s free and has a very small footprint but it makes your file transferring process a lot easier and faster. If you have to download it, you can do so here.

What are your experiences with this application?

Tags: free software