There are a number of topics addressed on this page, each of which can be reached by clicking on a link below, or simply by scrolling down.

• Who wrote this? Who's talking to me when I read "I"?
• How much of a Windows guru do I need to be to do this?
• Whoa! What the heck is FTP anyway?
• Why does the example use Windows 95?
• Why does the example only talk about WS_FTP?
• AAK! My screens don't look exactly like the examples!
• How'd you get those nifty screen shots?

Who wrote this? Who's talking to me when I read "I"?

This tutorial was written by Sam Clippinger, Internet Systems Consultant at Micro.Com. However, if you have any problems with this tutorial please contact the current Webmaster (webmaster@micro.com). Though efforts were made to avoid first-person references, in some cases they make the material easier to understand (and sometimes they just slip through).

How much of a Windows guru do I need to be to do this?

Not much of one. You need to be comfortable with Windows in general - double-clicking, starting applications, closing applications and moving windows around on the screen. You should be familiar with terms like "desktop", "pull-down menu" and "highlight".

Note: This tutorial does NOT discuss how to dial-up to the Internet, nor does it discuss how to create a web page (HTML file). I'm assuming that you've already done these things before you try to upload the files.

Whoa! What the heck is FTP anyway?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. To put it simply, it's a way for two computers on the internet to send a file between them. An analogy might be if I had a large legal document to send to you. I could call you up on the telephone and read it to you while you take notes, but that would be silly. It's much easier to send it FedEx.

FTP is like FedEx for the internet. But just like with FedEx, you have to have made prior arrangements to ship from your location. With FedEx, this is done by getting a shipping number, log book, etc. With FTP this is done by downloading FTP software.

The other big difference is that FTPing doesn't cost anything (grin).

Why does the example talk about Windows 95?

At the time of writing this tutorial, Windows 95 had just came out and and many Windows 3.1 clients were still commonly used. Today there are almost no Windows 3.1 (DOS) clients, and Windows 98, 2000, or XP are the most commonly used systems. Don't worry about system compatability. The client software, WS_FTP, is compatible with every Microsoft Windows platform available.

Additionally, there has been real need to re-write this tutorial because the principles of transferring files via FTP haven't changed in decades if ever.

Why does the example use WS_FTP?

A number of FTP software packages were tested, and WS_FTP is the favorite for several reasons. First, WS_FTP will upload files in lowercase, no matter what they are on the local drive. This is very important on the web server. WS_FTP will allow a number of extra functions from the FTP interface, such as deleting, renaming and chmod'ing (see Securing your files for a full discussion of chmod).

Truthfully, any FTP software package will work for this process as long as it allows these functions. I've even heard a number of people insist that some web browsers can be used to upload files (though we don't support this). However, WS_FTP is the one that we recommend. If you have to call for tech support, the chances that we're familiar with (insert name of other FTP package here) will be very small - we won't be able to help you nearly as easily.

AAK! My screens don't look exactly like the examples!

That's OK. Keep in mind the following phrase: "Your milage may vary." Just like a tire salesman, I'm doing my best to tell you everything I can about what you'll have to do to upload files, but I can't anticipate every possible setup. So keep in mind that the examples shown are just that - examples. Your milage may vary.

How'd you get those nifty screen shots?

The screen shots were captured using HyperSnap 2.70 for Windows 95, and were later cropped, dithered, converted and interlaced with Graphic Workshop 1.1w for Windows 95.

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