FTP Faq

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How to use FTP 

FTP is used to copy files to/from your website

You can use any FTP program, this covers WS_FTP and Fetch, but the concept is pretty much the same

FTP Access
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the preferred method of uploading files to your website, and vice versa.. You have unlimited access to your account via FTP 24 hours a day. This allows you to create and maintain your web pages on your own computer, then upload the files to your website at your leisure.

Warning: If you use FrontPage you should NEVER use regular FTP to upload your files as this will damage the extensions.  Please refer to the instructions in the FrontPage section for uploading files.

FTP is not a program, it is a "protocol", a specific method of transferring data from one place to another. Some online services such as AOL, CompuServe, and Prodigy may have a built-in FTP interface.  If you have a dial-up or broadband account internet service, you will need an FTP program.  We strongly recommend WS_FTP for PC users, and Fetch for Macintosh users.  Please see instructions below for setting up and using these two programs.

WS-FTP For PC Users 
In order to FTP into your website you will need the following information which was included in your account activation notice.
· USERID
· PASSWORD
· FTP HOSTNAME (normally this will be your domain, ftp.YourDomain.com)

When you have this information, and a copy of WS_FTP installed on your computer you will be ready to setup a Session Profile and FTP into your website.

1. Launch your WS-FTP program. A panel titled "connection" or "Session Profile" will be displayed with the WS_FTP program window behind it.
2. Enter the appropriate information into the following entry boxes:
    Host Name/Address: Enter ftp.yourdomain.com (provided to you in the new account document emailed to you)
    User ID: Enter your User ID
    Password: Enter your Password
    Check the Save Password box if you wish.
    Leave the other entry fields blank.
3. Click on the Save button on this panel to save this Profile. This will eliminate the need for you to enter this information the next time you launch WS_FTP
4. Click on the "Connect" button at the top right of the panel.  WS_FTP will now attempt to connect to your website. When you are connected to your home directory on the server, the Profile panel will close.
    
5. WS_FTP will now display a split screen. The window on the left contains the folders and files on your own computer. Use the green arrow at the top of the window and the scroll bars to browse your system.

The window on the right will contain the folders and files contained within your home directory. This is your space on the server. This is where you will place your website will be. You will see folders with names such as mainwebsite_html or www; this is the folder where you put your web files.  You'll also see mainwebsite_cgi or cgi-bin; this is where your scripts and programs go.

Binary vs ASCII or Auto
You will see two radio buttons below the display windows, one labeled Binary and one labeled ASCII.  There will also be a check box labeled Auto.  If you select Auto WS_FTP will automatically apply the correct setting, either Binary or ASCII to the document you are transferring.  If you elect not to use the Auto setting please note that it is very important to transfer images in Binary mode. Everything else, HTML documents, cgi scripts etc. should be transferred using ASCII mode. If you fail to set this correctly your files may not appear as they should.

Upload Files

1. Double click on the www directory in the right window to open it. This is the directory you will upload your web pages, files, images etc. into.
2. Highlight a file (or files) from your computer in the left window.
3. Click the right arrow button (->) in the center bar between the windows.
   That’s it! Your file transfer is complete.

Download Files

1. Double click on the folder you want to download files into on your computer to open it in the left window.
2. Highlight the file (or files) you wish to download from your website in the right window.
3. Click the left arrow button (<-) in the center bar between the windows.
   That’s it! Your file transfer is complete.

Create A New Directory (Folder)
To create a new directory on your website, click on the MkDir button when you are inside the www directory or a subdirectory of the www directory. You will be prompted to enter a name for the new directory. Once you do this, the new directory will be created.

Multiple File Transfer
To transfer more than one file at a time, highlight the first file, then hold down the Shift key on your keyboard to select more. All highlighted files will be transferred when you click on the appropriate arrow button to begin the transfer.

Disconnect
When you are finished transferring your files, click on the Close button at the bottom of the WS_FTP window. This will close your FTP connection.

Fetch For Mac Users
In order to FTP into your website you will need the following information which was included in your account activation notice. 
USERID
PASSWORD
FTP HOSTNAME
When you have this information, and a copy of Fetch installed on your computer, you will be ready to setup a New Connection and FTP into your website.

1. Launch your Fetch program.
2. Select New Connection from the File menu to create a new Connection.
3. 3. Enter the appropriate information into the entry boxes as indicated below.
   HOST: Enter yourdomain.com
   USER ID: Enter your User ID
   PASSWORD: Enter your Password
   DIRECTORY: Leave this entry field blank for now.

   

4. Click on the OK button to connect to your website on the server. When you are connected the New Connection panel will close, and the main Fetch window will pop up.

Bookmark Connection
Once you have established a connection you should bookmark it. This will save you the time and trouble of entering your log in information each time you want to FTP into your account.

1. From the Customize menu select New Shortcut.
2. A window titled Bookmark Editor will pop up. The Name, Host, and User ID entry boxes will contain the information you used for your current connection. 
3. In the Type field, select File from the pop-up menu.
4. If you would like Fetch to remember your password 
   type it into Password field. 
5. Under the same Customize menu, choose Preferences, and make sure the connection you just entered is selected as the default shortcut under the General tab.

Your Bookmark has been created. The next time you run Fetch your shortcut will be opened automatically. All you'll have to do is click the OK button to establish your FTP connection.

Binary vs. ASCII or Auto
There are three radio buttons at the bottom of the Fetch Window. One labeled Binary, one labeled ASCII and one labeled Auto.  If you want Fetch to automatically select the correct setting, either Binary or ASCII, when transferring your files, do the following:

1. Select Auto in the Fetch window.
2. Select Preferences, then the Upload tab.
3. Be sure that the following settings apply:
   Default text format---set to TEXT
   Default non-text format—set to RAW DATA
   Check  "Add .bqx suffix to BinHex files"
   Check "Add .bin suffix to MacBinary II files"
   Uncheck  "Add .txt suffix to text files"
   Check "Encode and decode files and folder names"
   Word Wrap Margin…72

If you elect not to use the Auto setting please note that it is very important to transfer images in Binary mode. Everything else, HTML documents, cgi scripts etc should be transferred using ASCII mode. If you fail to set this correctly your files may not appear as they should.

Fetch Window 
Your main window will be divided into two parts. On the left will be a large window which will display the files and folders on your domain. The narrow section on the right will contain your current Status, a File command link and a Transfer command link.

Upload Files

1. Double click on the www directory in the Fetch window to open it. This is the directory you will upload your web pages, files, images etc into. 
2. Highlight the file (s) on your computer that you wish to transfer to your website, and click on the Transfer command link. Or, you may also drag the file(s) you wish to upload from your hard drive onto the Fetch window and drop them into the appropriate directory.
    

Download Files
 

1. Double click on the folder you wish to download files to on your computer to open it. 
2. Highlight the file (s) on your website in the Fetch window that you wish to transfer to your computer, and click on the Transfer command link. Or, you may also drag the file(s) you wish to download from the Fetch window onto your hard drive and drop them into the appropriate directory.