Using FTP to Upload Your Files


NOTE: If you have a FrontPage account: Frontpage does not support the use of FTP for your "website" directory. If you have a FrontPage account, you should Microsoft FrontPage to upload and maintain your website. Please go to our FrontPage Tips page for more information

This section deals with using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to upload and download web files from your computer to a server and visa versa.

This FTP tutorial is designed for "WS_FTP". If you have a different FTP client, most of the naming conventions should be similar, but if you find it too difficult, just download a copy of "WS_FTP" using the Download Links below.

Please be sure to you have the proper "Tools" before we begin.

FTP Table of Contents

 

If you already have "WS_FTP" or another FTP program, skip this section and go to "The FTP Window"

Getting Started: FTP Software

First, you'll need FTP software. Our favorite is called "WS_FTP". It's powerful and simple to use. The download link is below. So what are you waiting for? Download it and return to this page so we can go through the FTP process together.

*NOTE FOR BEGINNERS*

A word of advice for those who don't have any prior experience in downloading software: CREATE A TEMPORARY DIRECTORY TO RECEIVE THE DOWNLOADED FILE(S).

1. When you click on a file to be downloaded, a dialog box appears prompting you for action. Chose "save file".

2. The next dialog box allows you to browse through your directory structure to choose a destination for your file (which should be the temp. directory/folder you just created).

3. Now open up "Explorer/File Manager" and find the directory you stored your downloaded file.

4. Double click the file. The computer will go into DOS mode while extracting the files.

Download WS_FTP

Download Fetch 3.01 (Macintosh)

 

*TIP FOR WINDOWS 3.1 USERS*

If you clicked on a download button, but you can't find any files in your temp directory, then all is not lost. Simply click on another directory and then re-open your temp directory and tadaaa... your files appear like magic. There should be a file named "inst.exe" or "setup". Double click and follow setup instructions.

 

Now that you've installed your FTP software, you are ready to proceed to the FTP Window.

QuickStart: Basic Field Settings for Experienced Users

Assuming you already know how to configure your FTP software, here are Internetter specific settings:

Host
your domain name, i.e. domain.com

NOTE: You can also use your IP address, or, even easier, use UserID.ntx.net as the host name. If your domain name is ever down (for instance, put on hold by InterNIC or something) then you can still access your account.

UserID
your User ID, i.e. webxxxx

Password
your password

Remote Directory
website is a link to the full path of /drv1/web/sites/UserID
This is where your files go that appear on the web.

Your public FTP directory is: /var/spool/ftp/pub/UserID
Your home directory is: /drv1/web/home/UserID

File Format:
This should be BINARY for graphics, zipped archives, and executables, and ASCII for most everything else. CGI scripts MUST be uploaded in ASCII mode.


Configuring Fetch 3.01 (Macintosh)

  1. Start the Fetch Program.

     

  2. Go to the Customize menu and choose New Shortcut.

     

  3. Enter in the following fields:
      a. name = Anything you want (business name, etc.)
      b. host = yourdomain.com
      c. UserID = webxxxxx
      d. password = ******** (note: your password is case-sensitive)
      e. directory = /web/site/webxxxxx

     

  4. Click OK

     

  5. Go to Customize menu again, this time choose Preferences.

     

  6. Click on the "General" Tab in the Preferences window.

     

  7. Click on Default Shortcut and select the one you just created.

     

  8. Click on OK - you're done!

Every time you start Fetch, It will already have your information in it. All you have to do is click OK and Fetch will get you to your site.


Uploading with Fetch 3.0.1

Uploading with Fetch is a breeze. There are two methods for uploading your files: Drag and drop or clicking buttons.


Drag and drop method


  1. Start Fetch and log into your web site by pushing OK.

     

  2. Open the folder that contains your HTML documents.

     

  3. Specify either Text or Binary for the transfer format.
    Note: Binary format is used for compressed files and graphics. Text format is used for CGI and Perl scripts.

     

  4. Drag the desired file and drop it into the server just like moving files on the Mac! a file transfer status pie chart should also appear telling you how much time is left before file transfer is completed. If it's a small file, the upload should happen quickly. A larger files take longer.


    Note: Line noise, Internet traffic, and your connection speed with your dialup ISP can slow things down.
    Note: Make sure that the file you want as your "home" page is named index.html. To rename the file:


Clicking buttons method


  1. Start Fetch and log into your web site by pushing OK.

     

  2. Click on the Put File button

     

  3. In the new window, find the file that you want to upload from your Mac to the server.

     

  4. When you've found you file, click the Open button.

     

  5. In the Put file dialog box you may rename the file if you wish and specify the transfer format.
    Note: Binary format is used for compressed files and graphics. Text format is used for CGI and Perl scripts.


Uploading with Netscape Gold

To setup Netscape Gold for publishing your web pages:

On Netscape's menu choose Options, Editor Preferences

Publish to location:

ftp://yourdomain.com/web/sites/USERID

Browse to location:

yourdomain.com in the username box: UserID

in the password box: [your password] (case sensitive) Once you have your file opened in the browser and made your changes, choose publish.