How To:  Using An FTP Program
By Tom Grazioli, Associated Computer Services

The goal is to move one or more files from your computer to the web server. There they can be viewed by typical internet browsers. Or the files can be password protected for use only by authorized people. The method described here is called FTP, short for File Transport Protocol.

FTP has been around for many years. It allows the movement of files between computers. The attractive features are the ability to move many files at once, and to move large files. This can be a real advantage since email does not handle them well.

This exercise will show the steps necessary to:
1.    Set up a typical FTP program
2.    Adjust the FTP program with addresses, names and passwords
3.    Copy files to the web server
4.    Retrieve files from the web server
5.    Erase files from the web server

FTP was built in to almost every computer that has been made for the past 20 years. The FTP program that comes with Windows works well enough, but assumes the user knows a little about how to use it. There's also a security concern regarding passwords. A better way is to use one of the available FTP programs.  These instructions will use the Core FTP program by FtpWare. The program is freely distributed and works quite well with an easy to use screen. A copy of the program can be downloaded from www.coreftp.com.

Most of the images on the right can be enlarged by clicking on them.  Since they're only examples, remember to click the Back button in your browser to return to this screen.

Install the Core FTP program.  When the installation program begins, click Next.  Click Next again on the Read Me screen.  Click Next a third time on the Destination Location screen.  Click Next on the Backup Replaced Files screen.  Click Next on the Select Program Manager Group screen.  Click Next on the Start Installation screen.   After 6 Next button clicks the program will install.  Click Finish on the Installation Finished screen.
The installation will put an icon on your computer desktop that looks like the one on the right.   Start the program by clicking on the icon.
Click Cancel on the screen asking about default FTP programs.  This step is not necessary for the operation of the program.  It should only appear this one time.
A setup screen will appear and you will need to type some info in the required places.  In the Site Name box, enter something to describe the web server you will connect to.  In this example "Associated Computer" was selected.  In the Host / IP / URL box, enter the site address.  Typically it will be something like this example, "www.associatedcomputer.cc".   In the Username box type the username that was given to you by the webmaster.   Obviously "username" is not valid for the Associated Computer system.   In the Password box, enter the password given to you by the webmaster.  Take note that asterisks will appear as you type.  Click the Connect button to continue.
If everything went correctly, something very much like the screen on the right will appear.  Note that the screen is divided into several parts.  The two large parts in the center, on the left and right show your computer and the web server.  On the left is your computer reflecting the root folder of the C: drive.  That's evident by the "C:\" displayed in the white bar above the white area.  On the right, the folder is the default location on the web server for the user "username".
For people that will be updating their websites, it will be necessary to log in as the site administrator (admin).  On our system, when you log in as the admin you'll see the folders shown on the right side of the example screen.
If you click on "mainwebsite_html" the screen will change to reflect the location of the website files.
On the left side, the side that shows your local computer, you see a folder labeled "Website Files".  Click on that folder to "navigate" to where you were saving your website files as you developed them.  This example assumes that you already have some changes made to the "index.html" file.  Now let's copy that file to the web server.  Do that by double clicking on "index.html" in the left screen.
This example assumes that you already have some changes made to the "index.html" file.   Now let's copy that file to the web server.  Do that by double clicking on "index.html" in the left screen.  The program will ask for some info about the file.  Click the white circle next to "Transfer".  A black dot will appear.  Click the white boxes next to "Always use this option" and "Don't ask again".  Check marks will appear in the boxes.  Click the Ok button.  FTP programs should be used for transfering files.  There are other programs for other tasks.
The next screen wants to know if you want to overwrite the existing file.  I suggest you put a check mark next to "Use this action anytime a file exists".  Then click the Overwrite All button.  The file will be transferred to the web server.  And the changes can be seen by going to the website as you would normally would.
If you have several files to transfer, you can select several at a time.  Do that by holding the Ctrl key down and single clicking on each of the files.  The files will become highlighted indicating that they are "selected".  Click the "Upload" button and all the files will be sent to the web server.   Uploading is the official term for sending files to another computer.
"Download" is when you get files from another computer.  Note in the example that several files have been selected on the right side of the screen.  When the Download button is clicked the files will be transferred to your computer, into the folder shown on the left.

If you don't transfer any files, after a few minutes the program will automatically disconnect from the web server.  If your session becomes disconnected, click on File then Reconnect.

If you need to erase a file from the web server, simply click on it with the RIGHT mouse button.  A small menu will appear.  Left click on Delete and answer Yes to the question.  The file will be removed from the web server.

After you're finished click File then Exit.  Good Luck!