File Transfer  Protocol (FTP) is the process of transferring the HTML files, as well as graphic files, from your computer to the computer where your web pages reside. Many of the popular online services include FTP Software, however they often leave much to be desired. If that is the case, the best FTP program on the net today is WS_FTP by John Junod. WS_FTP shows the contents of your computer on one side of the screen, and the Web Server Directory on the other side. Files are transferred by highlighting the filename and clicking a directional arrow. It is very nicely done, will save your passwords, and can be configued to your preferences easily.

Download

The first step in obtaining WS_FTP is to download the proper version from the WS_FTP website. At the site you will be offered various choices. Make sure to choose the Self Extracting version(ending in .exe) if you do not have a copy of WinZip on your computer.

When you click on the link to the version you choose a box will appear, asking you where to save the file. Save the file into an empty directory or folder. If you don't have an empty directory or folder...create a new one.

Installation

Using Netscape, the Saving Location box will disappear when the file has finished downloading to your computer. At this point, go to the file using either the Run command, or through Windows Explorer. By simply clicking on the file that you have downloaded the installation menu will activate, and you will be brought through the simple process step by step. When in doubt...do what it says!

Using WS_FTP

To begin using WS_FTP, start by clicking on the icon the installation just created. You will see a logon screen like the one pictured below.

This screen asks you where you would like to connect to. You can connect to a directory that contains your website, or top numerous FTP sites all over the WWW. To access your directory of the Web Bazaar, you will be issued  a username and password.
 

• Profile Name:
  
  
• Whatever you wish to call the specific connection
  
  
• Host Name/Address
  
  
• the numeric or www address of an internet site
• www.1-web-bazaar-plaza.com or 151.196.75.61
  
  
• User Id
  
  
• Supplied to you by email by the Web Bazaar Plaza
  
  
• Password
  
  
• Supplied to you by email by the Web Bazaar Plaza
  
  
• Account
  
  
• no information required for access
  
  

Once you have completed these steps you have made a Session Profile, which can be easily recalled for access the next time you wish to access this site again. You may have multiple Session Profiles in the Menu.

And the Fun Begins!

Below we have a screen shot of the actual FTP screen of WS_FTP95 LE

 
The screen is set up with your local computer directories and files on the left, and the remote or WWW computer directories and files on the right.
 
 
• Files are transferred by highlighting with one click, and clicking the proper directional arrow in the center of the screen. In the Screenshot barbie.htm is highlighted, and can be sent to the remote directory with a click of the right(bottom) arrow.
• Files can also be deleted, viewed, and renamed. Directories can be created and deleted as well.
• The rectangular box towards the bottom of the screenshot will tell you the progress of the action you are taking.

Option Menu

By clicking on Options on the bottom toolbar the following screen appears,
and allows you to configure certain properties of your session.
 

The following are Options recommended for using WS_FTP

• In the Session Option check Force Lowercase. This will send all files in lowercase letters, removing the possibility of misnamed duplicate files such as index.htm and Index.htm. Even though the actual files may be the same, to a browser they are two different files...this can really mess up links.

• On the Main screen it is recommended to choose Auto for file transfer mode, and let the FTP program decide whether to send as Ascii(text) or Binary(images).

• In the Extensions Option you can specify which files are to be sent in Ascii mode. Ascii mode must be used to send all text based files. I specify the extensions of .htm, .html, .pl, .cgi, .tar, .dat, and .txt.

• In the Advanced Option you can set the action for a double click on a file. It is recommended to set this to View...so that a double click on a file in WS_FTP will view the file with the program that you set in the Associations Option. For example, you can set a .htm file to be viewed with Notepad or Wordpad, and you can make minor changes right in WS_FTP.

That should do it...from there you should be able to send yours files night and day. One final note...keep in mind that WS_FTP automatically overwrites files without warning of the same name, since that is the most often used mrethod of updating a website. Make sure you are sending to the right place!