Internet Marketing
Tools
Part Two 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 Via File Transfer Protocal (FTP)
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.
Setting 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
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part One
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