FTP 101
Lifted shamelessly from http://www.zdnet.com.
Reproduced here strictly for educational purposes.

This is a short introduction to the subject of FTP.

Two notes: Viruses are not an issue with MP3 files, since they can only infect executable and document files. Also, MP3 is in itself a compression format, so no additional compression is needed, and can indeed cause harm to an audio file. However, since we all download executable files from time to time, the habits below are good ones to form early. -Chris

 

Thousands of servers around the world are dedicated to archiving shareware, freeware, academic research, literature, and other files for the sole purpose of providing others with free access to information and technology. Other servers, such as Web servers, only allow members with special accounts to log in and transfer files.

FTP As A Two-Way Street

By reading this page on the Web, you're demonstrating an understanding of hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). HTTP is the method used by Web browsers to retrieve and display web pages on the Internet. For the most part, Web viewing acts as a one-way street: You can receive pages, but you cannot send web pages of your own back. FTP, on the other hand, is like a two-way street. Not only can you receive information, but, depending on your level of access to the server, you can send any file you want. Generally, FTP is how all the information displayed on web pages are put on servers in the first place. Receiving files is called downloading. Sending files is called uploading.

Why You Might Want A Separate FTP Program

While most Web browsers can download files, not all of them can upload. For heavy-duty FTP use, you should have a program dedicated to FTP. Such programs are either freely available on the Net or can be downloaded (using your Web browser) on a "try before you buy" basis. These programs offer many advanced, time-saving features that Web browsers do not have, such as the ability to rename files located on the server, search for files, resume interrupted downloads, and create shortcuts to favorite FTP servers.

 

"DOWNLOADING"

What You Need to Have:

* An FTP program
* Anti-virus software
* Compression software
* Hard drive space

What You Need to Do:

* Install an FTP program
* Connect to an FTP host
* Find the file
* Download the file
* Check file for viruses

While many Web browsers can download files using FTP, they are not as efficient as a separate programs that specialize in FTP. These FTP clients, unlike Netscape or Internet Explorer, offer a variety of options that make finding and downloading files more expedient for the knowledgeable user. If you take time out now to learn the basics on how to download with an FTP client, you can save hours in the future.

Five Simple Steps

1) Install the FTP program onto your computer. If you need an FTP program, go to one of the popular shareware download sites (TUCOWS, Download.com, ZD Net.com, etc) to check out some of the best FTP programs for the MacOS and the PC.

2) Connect to an FTP host/server. Due to security issues, many system administrators require users to have an account on a particular server in order to log on. However, there are a number of servers, such as ftp://ftp.uu.net/archive/sys tems/mac/info-mac/, that allow users to access the server anonymously.

Before you try to connect to any server, find out if it requires an account or if it allows for anonymous logins. Next, find the option in your FTP program to open a connection. If you do not see it immediately, check the program's documentation for more details. At this point, you should see a dialog box that asks you, among other things, for a host (server) name, and a username and password. What information you give in the last two fields depends on the type of connection you want to make.

For account-based connections: When you created an account on the server you now want to connect to, the system administrator should have given you a unique username and password. Put the username and password you were given into their respective fields. Example of an account-based log on: Host: ftp.apple.com Username: johns Password: ******

For anonymous connections: Anyone with an email address can log on anonymously. For your username, type "anonymous." For your password, type your e-mail address. Example of an anonymous log on: Host: ftp.apple.com Username: anonymous Password: johns@somewhere.org Most FTP servers only accept a limited number of anonymous connections, so if the server "hangs" or if the refuses to let you on, try again a few minutes later.

3) Find the file. Once you connect, you need to find the file you want.

There are three types of items you will usually find in any FTP directory: a parent directory icon that moves you up in the directory tree, child directories that move you down, and files that you can download. The parent directory is usually located at the top of the list of files and is named "..". Child directories appear in the list of files. In a graphical FTP program, their icons look like file folders. In text-based programs, the name of the child directory is often followed by a slash ("/"). More files are located inside these directories, so try browsing through them.

Files have extensions at the end of their names that signify what type of compression was used to make them transferable over the Internet. Typical compression formats are .zip (PC and other platforms), .sit (Mac), .hqx (Mac), .tar (Unix) and .txt (all platforms). Files are arranged alphabetically.

Helpful hint: Many FTP sites have an index or a "readme" file that describes the contents of the current directory. Reading these can be useful, especially when the name of the file you are looking for is abbreviated beyond recognition.

4) Download the file. To download the file, try double-clicking on the file name or dragging it to your desktop.

While many FTP programs for the MacOS and the PC recognize these events as a signal to download, not all programs operate the same way. If neither of these commands works, consult the documentation for your FTP program. If you receive an error during the download, check whether you have enough room on your hard drive. If you do not have the space, browse through your files on your computer, find ones that you don't need, and delete them until you create enough room.

You should consult the FTP program's documentation to troubleshoot other errors.

5) Check for viruses and decompress the file. Depending on how your computer is set up, it may automatically decompress the file for you and check for viruses. However, do not assume that it automatically checks for viruses unless you know for sure. If you do not have one already, you should download an antivirus program immediately. Once you check for viruses, you should decompress the file. You will need different software depending on compression format.


"UPLOADING"

Uploading files is a survival skill for anyone with a homepage or for shareware and freeware developers interested in distributing software. Although many people online have less experience with uploading than they do with downloading, uploading is just as easy. While it is possible to upload with certain Web browsers, FTP clients offer a wider variety of options than any browser and make uploading a cinch.

What You Need to Have:

* An FTP program
* A file to upload
* Space on a remote server
* Compression software

What You Need to Do:

* Install an FTP program
* Connect to an FTP host
* Compress the file
* Upload the file.

Four Simple Steps

 1) Install the FTP program onto your hard disk. If you need an FTP program, go to one of the popular shareware download sites (TUCOWS, Download.com, ZD Net.com, etc) to check out some of the best FTP programs for the MacOS and the PC.


2) Connect to an FTP host/server. Once you have selected to open a connection (usually this command is located in the program's File menu, but check the FTP program's documentation for more details), you should see a dialog box that has, among other options, a field for host (or server), username and password. These are the most important fields and are usually the only ones that you need to modify. In order to upload files to most servers, you will need to have your own space on that server.

This type of access often requires you to have a special username and password for the server. To connect to the server, enter your username and password in their respective fields, as well as the server's host name (which can either be a string of numbers or words separated by periods, much like a Web address). For more information on getting an account on the server, contact the server's system administrator.

3) Compress the file. Before you upload the file to the remote server, you should compress it using a format that lets the file move safely and quickly across the Internet. Only a few file formats do not need compression, such as text (.txt) files and HTML (.htm or .html) documents. Anything executable (that is, program files), or any data files for programs such as Microsoft Word and Corel Wordperfect, will need to be compressed. Good FTP programs will automatically perform the compression for you-- although, depending on the type of compression it uses, the file may actually end up larger than it could be. At times you may want to use a separate compression program. If this is the case, check out compression programs from one of ths shareware software librarires listed above..

4) Upload the file. To upload the file, try double-clicking on the file name or dragging the name of the file into the remote server's directory listing. Another alternative is finding an option to "put file" or to "upload" in the FTP program's menu. While many FTP programs for the MacOS and the PC recognize these events as a signal to upload, not all programs operate the same way. If none of these commands work, consult the documentation for your FTP program.