Once you’ve created a few web pages on your hard drive, you’ll need to move those files onto the server where your website will reside. Moving files to a server is done with software called FTP, or file transfer protocol (see Website Basics). FTP enables you to log in to your web server, create or modify directories, and upload (send) or download (retrieve) files. Uploading your files to your web server is the equivalent of publishing your work: your pages will be viewable immediately by anyone with an internet connection.
Plenty of FTP software is available online for free or for a
small cost.
• WS-FTP: The standard FTP software for PCs, it’s available at www.ipswitch.com/products/ws_ftp/home/index.asp.
• Fetch: The standard FTP software for Macs, it’s available at www.fetchsoftworks.com.
Logging In to Your Web Server with FTP
To log in to your server with FTP, you need the following information, all of which your web host will provide via email when you sign up for web hosting services:
• Server: The name of your web server; for instance, http://www.quamut.com
• User name: The name provided by your web host
• Password: Your FTP login password, as provided by your web host
Once you get all of this information confirmed by your web host, start up your FTP software, enter the information, and click Connect.
The Typical FTP User Interface
Most FTP software contains a main window split into two vertical panes (the Mac program Fetch is one exception).
• Left side: Lists the folders on your local hard drive
• Right side: Lists the directories on your web server
You can browse through the directories on your hard drive or server by clicking on the files.
Creating a Directory Structure with FTP
Before you can upload any files to the server, you first have to have directories into which you can upload them. Most FTP programs allow you to create directories on your server in two ways:
• Manually: Use the same method you’d use to create folders on your local hard drive, such as right-clicking your mouse and selecting New > Folder. This method gives you more control.
• Automatically: Your FTP program will create directories on the fly if you upload entire folders to your web server. This method is best if the directory structure you intend to use for your site matches the hierarchy of file folders you’ve created for your site on your hard drive. The new directories will have the same names as the folders you upload, and you’ll upload your folders and the files they contain all at once.
Uploading Your Website’s Files with FTP
FTP software programs allow you to upload your folder or files in several ways:
• Drag and drop: Drag entire folders or specific files from either location (local or remote) to the other.
• Double-click: Double-click on the specific file you want to move. The file will automatically move to the opposite location (that being the server if it’s located on your local hard drive, or vice versa).
• Click on buttons: Highlight folders, directories, or files, and click on the Upload or Download buttons provided by the program. These buttons are typically shaped like arrows or contain arrow icons.
FTP Transfer Modes
There are two transfer modes for uploading files: ASCII and binary. The best mode to use depends on the type of files you’re uploading:
• ASCII: Use ASCII for HTML documents.
• Binary: Use binary for images and anything else that isn’t an HTML document.
Most FTP programs will offer an auto-detect mode that will switch from ASCII to binary when needed. Use auto-detect mode if it’s available.
* The above information was provided by Barnes and Noble – Quamut – how to do it ™ series which can be purchased by clicking the Barnes and Noble advertisement.