FTP is a protocol used to upload your web site pages from your computer to your host .  Following is a brief tutorial on how to use FTP to get your pages on-line fast!

Two FTP programs are recommended, WS_FTP and Cute-FTP.  I personally prefer WS_FTP, but either, or for that matter, any FTP program will work.  The instructions here are specific to WS_FTP, but the information you will enter applies to any FTP program.  You can obtain the freeware copy of WS_FTP by clicking on the FTP Planet button at the bottom of this page!

WS_FTP Guide

This will guide you step by step through configuring WS_FTP to exchange files between your computer and your site. In order to follow along with us, you'll need to have WS_FTP LE (a freeware version) or the Pro version of WS_FTP downloaded and installed, and you'll need to be connected to the internet. 

Step 1 - Download WS_FTP

If you haven't already done so, please download  Ipswitch's WS_FTP Limited Edition, the world's most popular FTP client for Windows and install it on your computer. This is a compressed file, so you will need a decompression utility to unzip this file. 

      Step 2 - Open WS_FTP Le and create a Session Profile

1. You'll need to enter the following settings in your Session Profile: 

       Profile Name: your site name (you get your choice on this one)

       Host Name: ftp.yourdomain.com

       Host Type: Unix (standard) 

       User ID: Insert your User Name here 

        Password: Insert your password here. 

2. If you wish, you may choose to save your password so that you don't have to enter it each time you log in with WS_FTP. If you wish to enable this time saving feature, check the box marked "Save Pwd". 

3. Be sure the Anonymous box is unchecked. Do NOT enter any other information beyond this. There is no need to enter a directory name; the above settings will automatically place you in your base directory. 

When you are finished entering these settings, click on the OK button, and you will be connected to your ftp server. 

Step 3 - Transferring Files Back and Forth

Now you are logged into your web site. 

The left hand window displays the directories and files on your local hard drive, and the right hand window displays the directories and files on your web site. To transfer files from one window to the other, simply click once on the file you wish to transfer, then click once on the arrow between the two windows, which points in the direction that you wish to transfer the file. 

Tips & Suggestions

1. Directly below the local and remote windows, you'll notice three buttons labeled ASCII, Binary, and Auto. For best results: 

     - Image files such as gif or jpeg should be uploaded in Binary mode. 
     - We recommend all html files be uploaded in ASCII mode. 
     - To avoid problems with selecting the correct file type, you may wish to

             leave the "Auto" box checked at all times. 

2. HTML Filenames are case sensitive. 

We recommend you upload your files in lowercase only.  When you write your html files, be sure and refer to any image or other  html files in lowercase also. Your HTML and actual filenames must match exactly, in order for your page to display correctly.

 
3. Logins and Passwords are case sensitive. 

If you signed up with community, and chose a log-in name of Joe, typing joe into the Login when you publish would not work. The same holds true for passwords. 

Additional Features

WS_FTPLE also allows you to create new directories, delete directories, as well as delete and rename files. These features are available by choosing the buttons to the right of the Remote System window. 

Step 4 - Ending Your FTP Session

To disconnect from your web site, click on the Close or Exit buttons at the bottom of the screen. The next time you connect with WS_FTP, your session profile will be saved for you. Simply make sure you have the right profile, and choose connect. 

Step 5 - Viewing your web page

To view the page you just uploaded, use your URL in your web browser: