Internet Marketing Tools - FTP Basics

File Transfer Protocol, better known as FTP, is a procedure
used to upload and download files to and from your web
server.

In order to use FTP, you'll need to download and install a
software program on your computer. The most widely used
FTP program is WS FTP Pro. You can find it here:
http://www.wsftp.com

When you first launch the FTP program, a startup screen
will appear. This screen will enable you to add your website
information and allow the program to connect with your
server. You simply fill in the information where indicated
with the following information:

Profile Name - This name will be added to the selection list
of profile names. Select your profile name according to
your domain. For example, if your domain name were
smiths.com, your profile name might be Smiths.

Host Name/Address - Your domain name address.
Example - www.smiths.com

Host Type - The type of server in which your website is
hosted. The standard is Unix.

User ID - Your hosting User ID.
Example - smiths.

Password - Your hosting password.

Depending on which FTP client you use, the names may
be slightly different.

Once the FTP program has connected with your server,
you will see the files on your computer in the left window
and the files on your server will be displayed in the right
window.

Transferring Files

To maneuver through your folders, simply double click on
them. To transfer your files, either double click on the file
or highlight it and then click on the transfer files arrow.

To select more than one file at a time, click on each file
you'd like to transfer while holding down the Ctrl key on
your keyboard. Keep in mind, all of the files you select
must be uploaded in the same mode. In other words, you
could upload all of your HTML files at the same time, or
all of your images.

If all of the files you'd like to upload are all together, you
can click on the first file while holding down your Shift key
and use the down arrow on your keyboard to highlight all
of your files.

Files such as text, HTML, and most scripts should be
uploaded to your server in ASCII mode. Any file that
isn't ASCII text, such as programs (EXE, ZIP), graphics,
ebooks, sounds (WAV, MID) and movies should be
uploaded to your server in Binary mode.

File Permissions

When using scripts on your website, you will be required
to set file permissions in order for your scripts to run
properly on a Unix server. The most common setting for
CGI/Perl scripts is 755. When working with scripts, you
may receive an Internal Server Error when you try to run
it. Many times, this error is caused by improperly set file
permissions.

Permissions:

Read - 4 - r
Write - 2 - w
Execute - 1 - x
None - 0 - -

- Read permissions are enabled with the number 4 or the
letter r.

- Write permissions are enabled with the number 2 or the
letter w.

- Execute permissions are enabled with the number 1 or
the letter x.

- No permissions are enabled with the number 0 or a dash.

Each of these permissions will be set for each of the
following:

Owner
Group
Other

To give you a better idea of how permissions are set,
below is an example of a script that requires the
permissions to be set to 755 -- it breaks down like this:

7 - Represents the permissions for the Owner (you). The
owner has been given Read, Write and Execute permissions.
4+2+1=7. This can also be written like this: rwx

5 - Represents the permissions for the Group (individuals
with access to your server). The Group has been given
Read and Execute permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be
written like this: rx

5 - Represents the permissions for the Others (website
visitors). The Others have been given Read and Execute
permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be written like this: rx

755 is equal to rwxrxrx

Changing File Permissions with Your FTP program:

If you would like to set your file permissions through your
FTP program, you can do so like this:

1. Log into your server and locate the directory that
contains your file.
2. Highlight the file that you would like to change
permissions.
3. Place your mouse pointer over the file and right click
to launch a menu.
4. Click on "chmod (UNIX) to launch the "permissions"
window.
5. Set your permissions and click on OK.

In addition to setting permissions with your FTP program,
most web hosts will enable you to set permissions through
your web page management system.

If you're managing your own website, having a good FTP
program is an absolute must. Not only will it provide you
with some independence, but it will also enable you to
have complete control over your files.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2002.