FTP Job Aid
What software do I need to FTP?
What's all this "host", "password" stuff?
How do I leave, or get, files using FTP?
FTP stands for "File Transfer Protocol". So, FTP is a protocol that computers use to transfer files. Like a lot of computer lingo, you can just turn around the words and there's what it does!
In regular English, FTP is a set of standards used by computers for moving digital documents and pictures from computer to computer.
You don't need to know the standard, I don't know anybody who does, and I sure don't! All you need to know is how to use the software that knows the standard. And the cool thing is that it's pretty easy and getting easier every day the Internet grows.
What Software do I Need to FTP?
Macintosh
On the Macintosh you'll need a piece of software called "Fetch" made by the wonderful folks at Dartmouth College and given away for free! You can get Fetch by at: www.download.com This is a great site full of the best free and shareware on the Net. Just type "Fetch" into search box and then walk through the steps. Fetch is only made for the Macintosh, so you don't need to worry about platform issues. Why is it called "Fetch", you'll see when you use it and get to watch the little dog run in place while you're files are transferring.WinTel (aka, "PCs", "IBM compatibles", "Window 95" etc.) Software
Windows 95 has FTP software built in!
Just use the "Run" button and type in "ftp" . You will be presented with a black window. Type in the command "open (host name)" and it will prompt you for user names and passwords. Some other handy commands are "disconnect", "get (file name)" and "put (file name)". I won't bother explaining those, they seem relatively self explanatory.
If want a much easier graphic, drag and drop icon based way to FTP, just get "WS FTP", the window's equivalent to Fetch. Go to www.download.com, and search for "WS_FTP" under Windows software.
"Also, depending on your version, you may be able to use Microsoft Word to FTP a file. Try:
File --> Save As --> Save In --> Internet Location FTPWhat's all this host, directory, password, log-in stuff?
Host The host is the name of the computer that you are calling. Each computer on the Internet has a specific address, also called a domain name.
When you see a Web site with this address
http://edweb.sdsu.edu
You can tell that to post, or edit, the Web site at this address you would need to FTP into "edwb.sdsu.edu". That is the domain where that Web site lives.
Example: "edweb.sdsu.edu"
User ID User ID lets administrators control access.
Most download sites use the person's email address and automatically enter it.
For the student drop folders, we've left it blank. You don't have to enter anything.
In other cases this may be the first part of your email address, or a special name that you've been assigned.
Example: "calebjc"
Password Password lets administrators control access.
Most downloading sites don't require anything here.
However with the student drop folders you can leave this blank. It's an open system.
On other servers you'll need the password to get in.
Example: "lkso"
Directory The directory is the specific location on the server you want to go to.
The host name is the top level of the files and folders on the server. Once there you will have many choices of folders to go into.
The directory line lets you pre-enter in the specific folder address you want to end up at.
Example: "pub/jobaid/"
How do I leave or get files using FTP?
Once you have entered the host, password, user name and directory of where you want to go, and you have successfully arrived at your destination, you will need to put, or get, files.
Most FTP software has options labeled "put file" and " get file", or something similar. In Fetch on a Mac, or WS FTP on a PC, you will be able to drag and drop the icons of your files, or use menu command and buttons marked "put" or "get", or something close.
If presented with a choice of formats to use, always choose "Raw Data"
What's up with file compression?
A lot. Or a little, after it's been compressed, hahahaaha. Ok, file compression is a way computers take a file, like a Word document, or a bunch of files, and squeeze them into a smaller file with some fancy mysterious programing.
File compression uses "extensions" or those three mysterious letters after a dot in a file name, like ".gif" or ".doc". File extensions are used so that both the computer and the person know what kind of file it is without opening it.
Files are compressed and named, say "doggybag.zip". Then when you get them (download) to your computer you use software to uncompress it back to it's original state. Think of dehydrating and hydrating food.
Here's a handy chart for which file types and which software to use.
Operating System File Type Software Software DOS/WIN .zip pkunzip pkzip MAC .bin, .hqx, .sit, and .sea Stuffit Expander Stuffit Expander If you are using Netscape, you can drag and drop files directly from the browser's window. Just type in the ftp address like "ftp://coe.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec690" and you'll see all the files and such in the window of your browser. You can then click on folders to open them, or click and hold on files to move them.
Once you see the files your after you can "Drag and Drop" them from the browser window to your desktop and visa versa. Very cool!
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