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Import Your Files
To set up Parachute with your package's files, simply upload a zip archive or connect to an FTP server and import those files via the friendly web interface.
- Simple and fast uploads.
- Review your files before confirming the import.
- Parachute doesn't replace version control with SVN or Git, it works to deploy finished releases of your development across multiple servers.
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Review Changes
Parachute compares your latest import with your previous release(s). See exactly what changes were made - and what files will be deployed to update your "dropzones" (web servers).
- View archives all of your old changelogs.
- Easily browse the uploaded source files (before and after deploying) in the "Source Browser".
- Attach your own version tags to each imported package for better organization.
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Deploy via FTP
Parachute intelligently deploys your imported package files to any dropzone (or all dropzones at once). You control when to deploy.
- Only changed or new files are uploaded to the dropzone. Deploys are rapid and use minimal bandwidth.
- Deleted files and folders are deleted on the webserver, maintaining a perfect mirror. Files you uploaded apart from Parachute directly to the web server won't be deleted.
Who and what is Parachute for?
- Freelance web developers. Most web developers have their go-to web software used across lots of client web sites. Why not keep those software installations up-to-date? Simply keep the latest release in a Parachute package and deploy across any or all of your client's websites with one click.
- Software-as-a-Service web applications. There are many ways of operating SAAS businesses and one of the the simplest is to create segregated web application installs for each of your customers. Parachute makes maintaining all of these installations a snap. It also allows you to deploy to some "staging" dropzones first (to make sure the update will work) and then push live to your customers. Finally, with Parachute, you can remove certain customers' dropzones if they opt-out of the automatic updates.
- Mirrored web sites. Import all of your web site's files into a Parachute package and then push live to as many web servers as you require.
Parachute is not...
- ...complex. It won't deploy database changes or perform complex build procedures like Capistrano. Parachute shines by maintaining multiple web servers with your latest package files. It's simple, but highly effective.
- ...a version control system. You can tag versions in Parachute, view changes, etc., but it's no substitute for SVN (see Springloops) or Git (see Git). Once again, though, Parachute does mass deployment better than either of these platforms.
- ...expensive. Why not sign up for free and upgrade later?
