FTP instructions for Mac

FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The File Transfer Protocol is the protocol used in communication with an FTP Server. Similar to HTTP which is the protocol used in browsing the World Wide Web. There are a number of Shareware programs on the Internet available to the public that will allow a person to access FTP servers.

Why Do I Need FTP Software?

  • Sometimes referred to as an FTP client, the FTP program is used for transferring text and graphic files to and from your Web Site.

How do I use Fetch?

Fill in the boxes below:

  • Host Name - This is the address of the site. Sometimes this will be in the form of numbers such as 201.345.111.987 This set of numbers is called an IP Address. Sometimes it will be written as name "www.sitename.com". These addresses tell the FTP program where to link to.

  • User ID - This is generally the name of the person. Your User ID was selected when you subscribed for hosting services.

  • Password - Your Password is required when logging on to your site. Or to a site that you have been given special access to. Generally a password is not necessary if you are logging on to a public site. In that case you would use your email address as your password and the word anonymous as your User ID.

  • Directory - Unless you know the specific directory name where you are uploading files, you may leave this area blank.

    Now click OK.
    Once you have entered the correct information and have connected to your site you will be able to upload and download files to your directory containing your website.

Once connected, you will see a screen with your destination address at the top.

You will need to load all of your text files, (those ending with .html) into the htdocs folder. Graphic files (those ending with .gif or .jpg) may also be placed in the htdocs folder or you may create a new folder called images and keep all your images there. Other folders can be created for different sections of your website if desired. You will need to decide how you want to structure your site before you construct all your pages, because if you use different folders you must include the exact path and file name in your html, in order for the browser to find the correct files and links and display the correct images. This is very important.

Double click on the htdocs folder. Now you should see this screen.

Clicking on the button Put File... will load your files here, into the htdocs folder. Locate the file you wish to move and double click on it. Another screen will appear.

Under Format: there is a pop-up menu. For .gif and .jpg images, select Raw Data. For .html files, select Text. Now click OK.

You will see the black dog running while your files are moving over the network. The name of the files will appear on the list on the left side of the screen. Remember you must call the home page (or very first page that should appear when your site is opened) index.html. When you have all the elements required for your web site uploaded, quit out of the Fetch application and open your browser to verify your site is working properly.

Note: To retreive files from your web site and place them back onto your computer, use the same steps required to upload, execept select the file name from the list on the left and then click Get File.... You will need to specify where you would like them placed on your machine.

Note: In your efforts, be sure to use your account in place of the examples sited in this document.

Successful mastering of the process described in this document may qualify you as a CedarNet Webmaster and a candidate for CedarNet HTML Committee should you choose to volunteer your time and talents as a CedarNet Webmaster.

CedarNet is looking for your organization's webpage to be hosted or linked with us.

Last updated 06-Jun-2003