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What is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol is a program (as well as a set of procedures or rules) for transferring files, from government documents to computer games to software applications, on the Internet. Specifically, FTP is the set of rules that governs how files are copied from one computer to another. It also makes it possible to put your own files onto a remote site once you have been given the proper access privileges. You can use Netscape to get FTP files, but at some point you may need to be familiar with an FTP program, particularly if you plan to send large files or create your own Web site.
First, you will need to download an FTP program. Such a program, called a "client," speaks to the remote computer, known as the "server." Once you've installed this software, you're ready to transfer files.
Getting Your FTP Client:
Visit any freeware/share site (e.g. http://www.tucows.com)
and perform a search for FTP and several programs will come up
for you to download. Please remember, if the program is
called Shareware, then it is only a demo and you eventually must
have to purchase a license. If software is Freeware, it is
totally free. Both have advantages and
disadvantages. For example, freeware usually more basic
and does less than shareware or full programs will.
Note:
To download some programs, you will also need a decompression program like
WinZip for
Windows or StuffIt Expander for Macintosh. This program must be installed on your hard drive to unpack and install some software successfully. Download these programs at:
Mac users might also need a BinHex decompression program like MacBinary to install StuffIt.
Using Netscape or IE for Anonymous FTP
Netscape can also be used to locate and download FTP files from Anonymous FTP servers. Type the name of the FTP site in the location window, using
ftp://
at the beginning of the address rather than
http://
For example:
ftp://ftp.address.address.
Double-click on the folders you want to open, and on the files you wish to download. Keep in mind that Netscape only stores files temporarily. If you want to save a file permanently, go to File and choose Save As. Once you give it a new name and location, it is yours.
Your FTP Connection:
To open an FTP connection, the client will ask for three pieces of information:
1) The name of the remote computer to which you want to connect
Depending on the program, this machine will be called the host, the server, or the site. Try connecting first to Dasia.Net's FTP site: ftp.dasia.net. You might find other addresses in your client's Shortcuts menu, or in a separate Bookmarks folder. Many Internet manuals also list FTP addresses. Make sure you type the name of the host correctly -- spelling and case are important.
2) A username
FTP servers cannot identify everyone who wants to connect to them, so most machines allow you to log in with the usernames "anonymous" or "ftp". (This is known as "Anonymous FTP".)
3) A password
For Anonymous FTP, your email address will typically serve as a password, giving the computer's owner a record of who is using the system. However, almost any entry in email address form will work.
There are scores of computers that provide Anonymous FTP access. On these computers, hundreds (and at times thousands) of files are stored and made available for others to copy freely.
Transferring Files:
Once you have logged on, you will be given a list of directories (folders) and files. Most directories begin with a general directory called pub (for "public," referring to you). Double-click on the folders you want to open, and double-click on the files you want to download. (You need to choose a mode for your download. Automatic is best; otherwise, you will usually use Binary.) Your client will tell you when the download is complete.
You may find it difficult to log on to some sites, particularly during business hours. Most sites set a limit on the number of people who can log on at any one time under Anonymous FTP. Just try again.
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hope that you found this page useful.
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