What is FTP and Why Do You Need It?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) A program for transferring files from one computer that is connected to the Internet to another computer that is connected to the Internet.

Upload-  To send a file from your computer to another.

Download-  To retrieve on your computer a file from another computer.

FTP (cont.)

FTP is the program that is used in uploading AND downloading.  FTP can run from a web browser, an FTP client program, or command-line interface.

Command-line interface-  You enter a command and press the enter key on your keyboard.

FTP client-  Windows program that is on your PC and transfers files between your computer and another.

Accessing an FTP Server

To transfer files, you must connect to the remote computer, by logging on to it directly from your web browser.

You must identify yourself with a user name and password.  Some systems provide public access so that anyone can connect to the site.

When you connect to a public access site, you are restricted to particular fines.

Anonymous FTP Login

Anonymous FTP-  logging onto a public access site by supplying the user name anonymous as your user name.

It is customary to use your email address as the password.

When you connect to an FTP site using a web browser, the browser automatically supplies the user name anonymous and the appropriate password.

Anonymous FTP Login (cont.)

Change the http:// to ftp:// in the URL to log onto an FTP site.

Full-privilege FTP-  Logging on to a computer which you have an account on.

FTP client programs have two advantages over web browsers:

Client programs allow you to log on anonymously or log on with a name and password (most are free or inexpensive).

To use an FTP client program:

Start the program Enter Internet address in "Host

Name/Address" text box Enter the user name in the "User ID" text

box Enter the password in the "Password" text

box Click "OK"

Locating Files and Exploring Directories

FTP sites are organized hierarchically. A hierarchal structure is organized like an upside

down tree. The root directory is the home or top-level

directory.  Beneath the root directory are several branches.

A directory hyperlink will take you to another level in the structure.

A file hyperlink will take you to a file within a directory.

Downloading Files

You can use FTP to download free programs, files, and software patches.

With an FTP client or web browser, you click the mouse to download files.

ASCII & Binary

FTP can handle both ASCII and binary files.  Simply check the ASCII button for ASCII text or the Binary button for everything else.

ASCII text-  contains symbols typed from the keyboard and does not include any nonprintable does.

Binary files include additional characters such as those created by a word-processing program.

File extension

File extension-  the last three characters following the period in the filename.  Files with a .txt extension are usually ASCII mode.

Compression

Sometimes you need to translate files which you download into a form that is usable on your computer.  This is done with a file utility program.

Compressed file-  A file saved in a format that makes its size smaller.

Compressed files use less space and take less time to transmit.  The most common extension of compressed files is .zip.

Virus Software

Before you install any program which you download, you should check if for a virus.

computer viruses are programs that "infect" your computer and can harm your programs.

Virus detection software-  A program which resides on a computer and scans the files on a disk for infected programs.

To compress a file, you need a compression program.

Many programs are available for downloading at little or no cost.

Freeware-  software that is available to anyone for no cost with no restrictions.

Shareware-  Software that is not entirely free and usually is available only for a short time period.

Restricted versions of programs are called limited edition (LE) versions.

Several sites provide links to freeware and shareware :

Download.com contains many freeware and shareware programs.

Shareware.com provides search capabilities for freeware, shareware, and limited edition software.

TUCOWS (The Ultimate Collection Of Winsock Software) is a popular site that provides quick access to free, inexpensive, and full-cost software.

The Microsoft site has free software offerings. ZDNet publishes ratings based on tests and

evaluations of users.

Downloading/Installing

To download a program, go to the site and follow the instructions.

To install, Double-click on the downloaded file and follow the instructions.

A PDF (Portable Document Format) file provides a means for displaying a document in a universal way on any computer.

Internet Cookies

A cookie is a small text file that your browser exchanges with the web site that is saved on your computer.  Cookies contain information that makes your browsing experience simpler and more personalized.

Tracing an Internet Route

The distance between your PC and a remote server is measured in hops (number of computers information is passed to).

Minimizing the number of hops traveled reduces your total download time.

Tracert is a program built into Windows that can count the hops to a link.

Click Start, Run, and then type tracert followed by the URL of the target site.  Then click OK.