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FTP 101 - Uploading files

Now that you've created the web site of your dreams it's time to transfer it from your compuer to the server. The most common process for transmitting files is called FTP (or File Transfer Protocol). Many applications that are used to design web sites also feature the ability to transfer them with the need for a separate FTP application so you may wish to check the documentation on your program to see if it can FTP files up for you. For those applications that don't have the ability to FTP files as well as people who like to use one common interface for transferring files created in many different applications, there are several easy to use FTP applications on the market. Click here to see some of our recommended FTP applications.

Technically Speaking

Before the easy part of FTPing can be accomplished, one must first prove that he is worthy of using the program by inputting some technical information first. Software is funny that way, to get to the stupid stuff you have to prove you're a genius first.

What you'll need to know

Different software is going to use different terms to mean the same thing. So you may end up guessing a little or you may need to ask your local computer geek to help translate. If you've a computer geek on hand, forget the translation. Buy the guy or gal a cup of Starbucks and have them install the software for you. Let's start with some general terms you will run into when learning this stuff.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP): For the non-technical, it is simply a means of getting files from your computer to another computer through the internet.

Client: This is the term used to describe a computer connecting to another computer (typically called a server). FTP client is the FTP software used to connect to a server. Used in a sentence it sounds like this, "FTPVoyager is my favorite FTP client and they should pay me royalties for saying so."

Server: The computer with which you'll be connecting.

Domain name: This is the unique moniker that often starts with www and ends with .com. This is also known as a URL (no, it doesn't matter what that stands for because no one uses the whole term anymore). It would be good to remember that when you're entering your domain name into your FTP client, don't use the www part.

IP or IP Address: Before there were domain names there were and still are numeric addresses on the internet that specifically identify your web site on the internet. Whether you enter an IP address or a domain name into your browser or FTP client they take you to the exact same place. The term "internet address" which now means "domain name" used to mean IP Address. It's important to note that these two addressing schemes are interchangeable. Since no software is going to ask you for your "Internet Protocol" I won't bother telling you what IP stands for.

WWW Folder: PureIdeasPlus.com creates few special folders for each of our clients. Each folder serves a very specific purpose. For this reason, do not delete any folders within your account that you did not create. One important folder for our purposes here is the folder which starts with your domain name and ends with "-www" and it's little brother the "www" folder. These are actually the exact same folder, same location on the server, same purpose. The www folder is actually a shortcut created because it's easier to type. This folder is the home for your web page files. When setting up an FTP application you will have the option of a subdirectory or sub-folder. Type in "www" (without the quotes).

index.html: The index.html file is or should be the name of your home page. It's a good practice to put this in lower case. Our server looks for the index.html file when someone enters your URL. So if the first page you want people to see is named index.html, you can be assured that this file is the first one shown.

User ID: The user ID is also known as the user name. This is the original user ID that you created when you signed up for PureIdeasPlus.com. Later, if you change the password for the Command Center, the FTP password changes as well.

Password: When asked for the password, put in the same password that is associated with the User ID.

That should be the final bit of information that you should need to connect with whatever FTP application you choose to use. We can't teach you how to use the specific application because of the vast array of products out there so from here you may need to check the documentation on the web site of the manufacturer of your FTP program for instructions on how to use the program once connected.

Important point to remember

Put you web pages in the www directory or they will not be accessible from the internet. Do not delete any folders whose purpose you aren’t sure of. When in doubt about directories, please see this tutorial.

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