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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Software — file, freeware, hfs, http, portable, server, share

Sharing files with HTTP File Server

hfs_icon Internet connects people. I mean literally connects people not like in some social talk-to-person-half-globe-distant way. Person A can connect directly to person B and they can do something (depending on what software they are using) over that connection.

Sharing files is actually what Internet is. When you are reading my blog your browser downloads files. When you rip music track from CD and mail it to friend he is downloading file (may be bit less legal than reading my blog). :)

Trick is - for downloading files software is need. Browser is software that obviously every Internet user has. If you want to share file with nothing except browser needed to download it you should consider setting up personal server.

HTTP File Server (HFS) is application for making files available for download.

  1. Download and run HFS. Single executable, no need to install.
  2. Drop file or folder you want to share into it.
  3. Now anyone can visit your PC and see that shared stuff by entering your IP address in their browser.

hfs_interface

No need for same software on both ends, no need for P2P stuff like emule or torrent, no trouble with sending through instant messengers, no need to deal with advertisement filled file hosting services.

Unlike serious server software sites in Internet use (like Apache) HFS is made exactly for sharing files. This means :

  • it creates interface pages on the fly, you don’t need to mess with HTML code;
  • it doesn’t have any scripting support which makes it extremely secure. There are no known vulnerabilities and amount of access visitors get to your PC is very slim;
  • you get a lot of control over process including ability to set limits, keep logs, create user accounts and set access rights on files.

hfs_html

Main downside is that HFS requires IP address that can be reached from Internet. Setup may be tricky for users inside local networks or behind routers. There is separate sub-forum dedicated to port and forwarding problems on official HFS site.

There is also no encryption used. Actually most of Internet is not using any encryption so you have to look for specialized secure solutions if dealing with important data.

I am using HFS for a long time and it’s easiest way for file collaboration ever. You don’t have to make people use some special client software, you are simply giving them link and you are done. :)

HFS is freeware and can be set to portable in settings ( Menu > Save options > To file ).

Home page http://rejetto.com/hfs/

Download page http://rejetto.com/hfs/download

Official forum http://www.rejetto.com/forum/index.php?board=21.0

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15 Comments

  • DaWur #

    Great piece of software, using it for years now.

  • Rarst #

    @DaWur Yep, totally agree. :) Very simple to use but sooo functional.

  • Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Help #

    Yea, that might present a port forwarding problem with my router. Cool APP though.. Most definitely worth a look. Hows your Blogging Idol competition going?

  • Rarst #

    @Brad Port forwarding is one of the biggest issues people have when running home server stuff. :) Luckily I am on Ethernet connection with real IP myself. Blogging Idol is over, I ended in upper half of list but faaaar from taking a shot at winning.

  • Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Help #

    Ethernet connections rock.. I'm using Wireless on my laptop.. I love the freedom. LOL, shows how closely I was watching the competition :)

  • Rarst #

    @Brad Yeah, Internet historically sucked in my disctrict so I ended up making big deposit (8+ months payment in advance) to get optical line to building. Living happily since. :)

  • Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Help #

    My wireless internet (wireless router and wireless ISP) cuts out daily.. Pretty pathetic for the cost of $55/Month

  • Rarst #

    @Brad I am not big believer in wireless. Biggest WiFi network around here boasts 55 (fifty five) access points... across all country. :) But using EDGE with cell and new tablet at times. Became surprisingly affordable lately 1$ per day of access (not using - not paying) and cheap traffic.

  • Brad Blogging.com - Personal Blog Tips And Blog Help #

    I'm starting to feel that way too. Although, its the ONLY way to get highspeed out where I live. I'm rural :) We should be twittering or IMing this conversation, not taking up your valuable comment section. LOL.

  • Stream and share media with UPnP server/player setup | Rarst.net #

    [...] copying files over wireless network got boring fast and simply feeding http links from HFS into VLC cut basic control options (like skip and [...]

  • Opera Unite – are browsers out of feature ideas? | Rarst.net #

    [...] locally is nothing new. Skim my blog only and you will find posts on how to run locally servers for HTTP, FTP, Direct Connect, UPnP and I can (and probably will) easily churn out few more on torrent and [...]

  • Planning ultimate online collaboration setup | Rarst.net #

    [...] HFS with my very own RSS template had proved itself very convenient for distributing files from one user to others. However it absolutely lacks social and sync capabilities; [...]

  • Prepare to wrestle computer issues unprepared | Rarst.net #

    [...] up to Internet they can be with you very quickly:you can easily set up dedicated file server with HFS or Quick’n’Easy FTP server;remote access tools like UltraVNC and TeamViewer can also access and [...]

  • JeeMan #

    Rarst, you just saved my behind again with a great and simple piece of software. Thanks! :)

  • Rarst #

    @JeeMan Always glad to. :) HFS is indeed great, useful and very stable app.