FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
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FTP is an easy and common way for sharing files over the internet, especially when those files come in large quantities. It runs differently on different computer platforms but is universal enough to make this tutorial (hopefully) useful. You should first make sure that your host/server has FTP available.
FTP can be done through several different methods, but I've chosen two specifically.
Windows Transfer is transferring files through Internet Explorer, which is very fun and easy to do but only available to the handful of people who
have both Windows and a good browser for doing it (unless you can figure out your own way to do FTP transfer on your own computer!). I
personally like this this method better but again, specific tools are needed.
FileZilla is a downloadable program that is easy to use on more computers. I don't personally use it since servers can sometimes
fluctuate on and off and such (as you can experience if you download it) but it's still a great program to use and is, in fact, more commonly
used.
So jump to your preferred method:
Windows Transfer
Accessing Your Website
Go to your FTP client by typing ftp://yourdomain.com into the URL bar. Ex., ftp://heartlessadrenaline.com. This should bring you to a directory-looking page.
Click on 'Page' (top of internet screen) and go down and select 'View FTP site in Windows Explorer'
at the bottom (for other hardware directions, follow the instructions at the top of the FTP page. They should be based off of your
computer type.)
Insert your username and password (the same you would use for your website editor login) and click 'login.' You should see a directory
just like your website. It is your website, in FTP form!
Transferring
Make sure that all documents are already ready for the web (.PHP, .HTML, .CSS, etc.)! Now, just transfer any files you have by clicking and dragging to the appropriate folder.
Click to view larger image.
Images shows CuteNews files.
You're finished! Make sure that all your files work with their URLs, and you should be good to go!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me here.
FileZilla
Another easy way you can transfer files is through FileZilla. It's fast, convenient, and working with this special software program can help you broaden your knowledge of web development and computer usage.For this tutorial, I'm going to be using a Windows 7 computer system. Installation shouldn't be too different for other computer types but there may be some confusion along the way. If you need help, contact me and I'll see if I can help!
For this tutorial, you'll need:
- A basic knowledge of computers and files
- A host that allows file transferring through FZ
Setting Up
First, you'll need to download FileZilla at their website. I'm download the Client for all platforms. Choose your platform; I'll be using the recommended one since I use windows.
Unless you downloaded the .zip file, your application should be ready to use after downloading.
Go to wherever your file was saved to and run the application. Go through the small set-up; click "install," the click "finish"! Well, that was easy, wasn't it?
Using FZ
Now comes the fun part; logging in transferring files. See how at the top, there are inputs: host; username; password; port. If you have a domain, insert ftp://yourdomain.com into "host" and then your username and password where appropriate; you don't need to specify "port" unless your host specifically instructs you to. Here's an example of what mine would look like:
(click to show larger image)
Now you can click on "QuickConnect." Hopefully, you'll be connected!
FileZilla may look a bit scary at first site, but it's really not. Look at the four boxes in the middle, aligned like a grid. I made a diagram of my own boxes:
(click to view larger image)
In the top left box, you can browse through your computer. All your folders, SD cards and jump drives, etc. should be listed there. clicking on something should open up that folder's folders in the bottom left box.
In the top right box, you can see all your folders. But in the bottom right box, you can browse through your folders and files. Fool around with the folders to get a feel for what's going on!
OK, so time to learn how to transfer files. But really, all you have to do is click on a file from the bottom left box (your computer's folders & files) to the bottom right box (the website's folders & files). Sorry I couldn't get a good screenshot of me doing this, but hopefully you'll be able to figure out how to click and drag.
Get to know FileZilla. Play around with it; change your files and be experimental. You can do great things with this program.
And that's it! Hopefully, you now know how to master FTP. If you have any lingering questions, don't be afraid to ask them and I'll try to respond ASAP!