Whats the best way to update a joomla site from localhost to online host?

Hi, Im working in a joomla 1.5 site locally, in my computer server, and when i finish changing or adding info, I upload the changes to the online server so people can see those changes. Right now, I chose the simple way: I replace the DB, and upload the folders I changed (or all the folders, just in case) to the server, using an ftp software. But,I wonder if there are a easier way to do it: maybe uploading only the updated/new files (or folders) plus the database… Is there a more precise way to upload the changes to the site? a software maybe? a script? thanks