Uploading Files with FTP
INTRODUCTION TO FTP
Add your files to the folder that corresponds to the domain name on your hosting account.
Note: Do not delete any directories or files in your account. They could be system files or folders that are necessary for your account to function correctly.
Now that we've distinguished where your files go, there are several ways depending on your computer system, that you can transfer files to your account directory. The process by which files are transferred to the web server is called "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol). You have unlimited access via FTP 24 hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your own computer and upload files to your web site at your leisure.
Online services which offer an Internet gateway, such as AOL, CompuServe, and Prodigy may have a built-in FTP interface. If you have a PPP Internet account, you need an FTP program. Visit http://www.wsftp.com/ to download the newest version of WS_FTP for the PC, one of the most popular FTP programs on the web.
For the Macintosh, a program called "Fetch" is used, and for Microsoft Windows systems a program called "WS_FTP" is used. You can also connect to your account via Telnet, all of these are described below.
FOR PC USERS (WS_FTP)
The following information is contained within your account activation notice and is needed to connect you to your web site via FTP:
USERID
PASSWORD
Your domain name or IP address tells your FTP software how to connect to the web server upon which your web site resides.
Each time you run WS_FTP the Session Profile window will be displayed. A profile contains the information needed to connect to your web site. Creating a profile now will eliminate the need for you to configure the software each time you wish to connect to the web server via FTP. To create a profile, click the "New" button and enter a generic profile name at the top of the Session Profile window, such as "My Web site." Next, enter your Host Name/Address (yourdomain.com), User ID (yourdomain), and Password for your web site as illustrated below.
Next you need to click "OK" to continue. This will connect you to the web server, where you will connect directly to the root ("home") directory of your account. WS_FTP will display a split screen where files on the left-hand side are within your own computer. You will see several folders on the right-hand side such as www, and infobots which are landmarks suggesting a successful connection to your web site, as illustrated below.
You need to double click on www to get to your web directory. This is where all your files will be downloaded, and/or you will create sub-directories. The only system directory that you may need to use is cgi-bin; this directory is reserved for custom scripts. To make your home page load automatically, name the HTML document "index.htm" in lowercase and upload it to the www directory of your account. To upload a file or files, simply highlight the file(s) on the left and click the right arrow button (->) in the center of the window. Be sure to upload HTML documents and scripts in ASCII mode and images in Binary mode. To transfer a file to a subdirectory, double-click the appropriate subdirectory to open it before transferring the desired file(s). To create a new directory, click on the MkDir button when you are inside the www directory or subdirectory.
As soon as a file is uploaded to the web server, it is available for all to see. If, after uploading a file, you are still unable to see the updated file via Netscape, try hitting the "Refresh" or "Reload" button. If that fails, you need to clear both disk and browser cache. This function can be found by selecting Options>Network Preferences in Netscape. Remember that you must first be connected to the Internet through your local Internet service provider in order to connect to the web server.
FOR MAC USERS (FETCH)
The following information is contained within your account activation notice and is needed to connect to your web site via FTP:
USERID
PASSWORD
Your domain name or IP address tells your FTP software how to connect to the web server upon which your web site resides.
Each time you run Fetch, the New Connection window will be displayed. A profile contains the information needed to connect to your web site. Creating a profile now will eliminate the need for you to configure the software each time you wish to connect to the web server via FTP. To create a new profile, select "New Connection..." from the File menu. Next, enter the Host (yourdomain.com), User ID (yourdomain), and password for your web site as illustrated below.
Don't worry about the Directory option right now. When you have your User ID, and Password entered, click on the OK button.
The next window which will pop up will look virtually the same as below, except that yourdomain will be in the pop-up window.
Bookmarking the Connection
You should take the time, now that you have established your connection, to make it easier for you to get here next time. Under the Customize menu, select New Shortcut. A window will pop up called Bookmark Editor, as below. It will already have your name, Host, and User ID filled in. Under Type, choose File from the pop-up menu. If you would like Fetch to remember your password so you won't have to type it in each time, type in your password in the Password field. Now, under the same Customize menu, choose Preferences, and under the General tab, make sure the connection you just entered is selected as the default shortcut. Next time you open up Fetch, your shortcut will be opened automatically and all you'll have to do is click the OK button!
How to Transfer Files
Refer again to the sample window above. You need to double-click on www to get to your web directory. This is where all your files will be downloaded, and/or you will create sub-directories. The only system directory that you may need to use is cgi-bin; this directory is reserved for custom scripts. To make your home page load automatically, name the HTML document "index.htm" in lowercase and upload it to the www directory of your account. To upload a file or files, simply drag them from your hard drive onto the Fetch window when you are in the appropriate directory or subdirectory. Be sure to upload HTML documents and scripts in Text mode and images in BINARY mode. Or to make life easier, click on the Automatic button as shown in the sample window above, and Fetch will decide the proper format. To transfer a file to a subdirectory, double-click the appropriate subdirectory to open it before transferring the desired file(s). To insure that the Automatic selection works properly, make sure the selections under the Upload tab in the Preferences window looks the same as below.
As soon as a file is uploaded to the web server, it is available for all to see. If, after uploading a file, you are still unable to see the updated file via Netscape, you need to hit the Reload button in the Netscape button bar. Remember that you must first be connected to the Internet through your local Internet service provider in order to connect to the web server.
USING OTHER FTP CLIENTS
Posting Pages With Pagemill:
1. After loading the Pagemill program, choose Site Mapping Information
2. Add your site name
3. Add a Host Name. Virtual domain users should enter their own domain name.
4. Move to the box titled Authentication. Leave Remote Folder Blank!
5. Add your username.
6. Add your password.
7. Click on Save Password if you feel it is okay to have your password remain in your local machine.
Uploading with Claris Home Page:
1. Virtual Domain Customers should enter their domain name for "Server Name".
2. Add your case sensitive username and password.
3. Virtual and non-virtual customers should leave Remote Directory blank.
Uploading Files with CuteFTP:
1. When CuteFTP is loaded the first time, the following window will appear. If the window doesn't appear, press the F4 function key.
2. Click on Personal FTP Sites and then click on "Add site"
3. Add the following to the FTP Site Edit window
Virtual domain users should enter their domain name in Host Address
All users must enter their username and password in the appropriate boxes
Make sure Login type is Normal
Do not add anything to the Initial Remote Directory Box
Setting up HoTMetal PRO:
1. Put your site name in Site Name
2. Virtual Domain Customers should enter their domain name Host Name.
3. Add your case sensitive username and password.
4. Virtual and non-virtual customers should leave Path: blank.
Editing Files Online With Netscape Navigator Gold:
1. After loading Netscape Navigator Gold, choose Options --> Editor Preferences
2. Check both the Maintain Links and Keep Images with document options
3. Add the following to the Default Publishing Location Section
Virtual domain users should enter their domain name in Publish to
Virtual domain users should type http://theirdomain.com in the Browse to box
4. Click on Apply and then OK.
After editing your files, choose File --> Publish. The screen below will appear.
Click on "Use Default Location" to retrieve the information stored in the Editor Preferences.
