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October 31, 2005
FTP 101 - The Definitive Beginner's Guide
Our FTP 101 article is consistently one of our most popular pages.
FTP 101 provides easy-to-understand answers to the three most commonly asked questions from new FTP users:
- What is FTP?
- What is an FTP site?
- What is an FTP client?
Posted by Van K at 08:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 28, 2005
Finding file extension info
Someone e-mailed me info on the FileInfo.net earlier this week. I took a look and it's a fantastic resource for finding more information on file extensions. If you don't know what a file extension is for, this is the place to go.
A big thank you to Per Christensson, who e-mailed this my way.
Posted by Van K at 08:11 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 27, 2005
Backing up your sites
It's always a good idea to keep a backup of your FTP site profiles. How to do this depends on which version of WS_FTP and Windows you are using, but we've discovered an article on Ipswitch's web site that explains how to do this for WS_FTP versions 6.0 through 2006. If you're using WS_FTP LE, the directions for WS_FTP 6.0 should work for you.
Click here to read the article.
Posted by Van K at 09:03 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 26, 2005
Using Active Edit in WS_FTP Professional
Active Edit is a feature in newer versions of WS_FTP that lets you easily edit files that are on a remote server using the program of your choice.
Take a look at our tutorial, Using Active Edit in WS_FTP Professional, for more information on using this feature.
Posted by Van K at 08:52 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 25, 2005
What types of files do you transfer?
We're curious what type of files you commonly use FTP to transfer. Are they web pages? Images for auction listings? Digital photos? Other image files? Database files? Another type of file?
Leave a comment and let us know.
Posted by Van K at 09:00 AM | Comments (17) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 24, 2005
Using FTP Commands
There are a number of commands commonly used by advanced FTP users. The most popular are CWD, PWD, HELP, SYST, SITE, QUOTE, LIST, MLSD, NLST, RETR and STOR. For information on each of these, the WS_FTP Server User's Guide has a nice summary here.
Each, of course, has its own function and are not needed by every user. In fact, most of us using an FTP client to transfer files don't even need to be aware of these.
Posted by Van K at 08:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 21, 2005
Server Types
When using the Connection Wizard in WS_FTP 2006, you are asked for a server type (FTP is the default server type).
You can choose from FTP,FTP/SSL (AUTH SSL), FTPS/Implicit SSL, HTTP, HTTPS or Local.
The WS_FTP help files defines these server types:
FTP - File Transfer Protocol. This is the default setting and is the correct choice for most users. The default port for FTP Is port 21.
FTP/SSL - FTP in explicit SSL mode encrypts the command channel.
FTP/Implicit SSL - FTP in implicit SSL mode encrypts the login as well as the command channel.
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Allows you to upload or download files over the standard World Wide Web ports and protocols. You cannot transfer folders via HTTP connection.
HTTPS - Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Allows you to upload or download files over the standard World Wide Web ports and protocols with SSL encryption.
Local isn't defined, but refers to a "site" (location) on your computer.
You can also change the server type for an FTP site under the advanced options of that site's profiles.
Posted by Van K at 08:34 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 20, 2005
Changing WS_FTP Sounds
If you want to change the sounds within the WS_FTP program, you can do so through the Windows control panel. Exactly how to get to the control panel varies by the version of Windows you are using, but it is typically off the start menu (in Windows XP) and off the start menu and then settings (in Windows 98/Me).
If you're still using WS_FTP LE (and, I believe, older versions of WS_FTP Professional), you can change the sounds from within WS_FTP. Click on 'Options' then the 'Sounds' tab. You will see a list of WS_FTP sounds and will be able to change them.
You can also set WS_FTP to have no sound through these options (or just turn your speakers off :-)
Posted by Van K at 08:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 19, 2005
Cached folders
In WS_FTP Home and Professional 2006, you can tell if a folder has been cached because it's icon is darker than other folders. Want to update a folder? Use the refresh button in WS_FTP.
Posted by Van K at 11:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 18, 2005
FTP and Web Host Horror Stories
Do you have a horror story involving FTP or your Web host? Leave a comment and let us know. We will feature some of the best (or worst, depending on your point of view) and those featured will win...something!
Posted by Van K at 09:21 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 17, 2005
Getting folder summary info
In WS_FTP, you can easily see a content summary for any folder. Simply navigate to the folder of your choice and look at the bottom of the folder window (either remote or local). You will see summary information, such as number of objects in the folder and total
file size.
This feature is very convenient when determining if you have enough web space at your FTP site for all of the files that you want to upload. Particularly useful if you are uploading a number of digital
photos within a folder.
Posted by Van K at 08:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 14, 2005
Web Hosts
We here at FTPplanet are often asked for recommendations of Web Hosts. There are user-submitted reviews of free hosting and paid hosting providers in our ratings and reviews section.
What Web Host do you use? FTPplanet is hosted privately, but I've personally used both GeoCities and Tripod before. Leave a comment and tell us what web host you use and whether or not you'd recommend them.
Posted by Van K at 08:25 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 13, 2005
eBay Reference Guide
Ipswitch has a reference guide for eBay users here.
The guide covers:
- Downloading WS_FTP Home
- Finding Web Space
- Converting a Picture
- Uploading Your Image
Posted by Van K at 01:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 12, 2005
Explanation of port numbers
Found this in an old discussion post. It's a great way to explaing port numbers in regards to FTP.
"If an FTP address is like a phone number, then the Port number is like an internal extension. Most FTP servers use Port (or extension) 21 and therefore the default Port setting in WS_FTP. However, some FTP servers choose to use other Ports values. If an FTP server uses a Port value other than 21, you'll need to change the Port value in WS_FTP in order to connect to the site.
To change a Port value in WS_FTP Pro and LE, click on the 'Advanced' tab in the 'Session Properties' window. There you'll find the 'Remote Port' field filled in with the value '21'. Simply change this value to the required Port number and click the 'Apply' button."
The thread is here.
Posted by Van K at 08:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 11, 2005
Classic Tutorial: Creating WS_FTP Desktop Shortcuts
Want to create a desktop short for a particular FTP site that you connect to. Take a look at our classic tutorial on how to do this:
WS_FTP Pro version
WS_FTP LE version
The tutorials will also work with WS_FTP Home or other programs as well.
Posted by Van K at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 07, 2005
WS_FTP Home Q&A
The Ipswitch newsletter (not to be confused with our own FTPplanet newsletter) had a Q&A feature on WS_FTP Home. I thought it might be interesting to some of you.
This Q&A answers these questions, among others, and can be found here
* How does WS_FTP Home differ from WS_FTP Professional?
* Are there any public FTP sites users can connect to?
* What are the main features of Ipswitch WS_FTP Home?
Posted by Van K at 11:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 06, 2005
What is your favorite FTP feature?
Regardless of what FTP client you are using, what is your favorite feature? Lately, mine has been the workspaces feature in WS_FTP Pro, but the simplicity of dragging and dropping the files I need to transfer can't be beat.
Leave a comment and let us know your favorite feature.
Posted by Van K at 09:20 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 05, 2005
Post Your Web Site
If you have a personal web site (or a business web site that you manage), post a link and some information on it in our 'Your Web Site' Discussion Forum.
We'll take a few favorites and feature them in either this blog or the newsletter and maybe even provide a few copies of WS_FTP Home to a few lucky posters.
Posted by Van K at 11:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
October 04, 2005
For those of you still using WS_FTP LE...
...we still have our WS_FTP LE content archived here on FTPplanet. The best way to access this information is through this page.
Scroll down to the bottom and you'll see links for our WS_FTP LE tutorials.
Remember, you can always ask questions about WS_FTP LE (or any version of WS_FTP or FTP in general) over in the discussion forums.
Posted by Van K at 03:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack digg this add to del.icio.us add to My Web Furl this page
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