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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is WS_FTP?
- What are the installation requirements?
- What do I need to do before I can use WS_FTP?
- How do I use WS_FTP?
- Is it possible to view the contents of a text file from within WS_FTP?
- Does it matter if I transfer a file as binary or ASCII?
- How can I use FTP to upload/download files between my Unix account and my PC?
- What does the Execute button do?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. The program with the same name, 'ftp', allows you to:
- gain access to files stored on other computers via the Internet
- store files (upload/transfer a copy of a file or files from your PC to a remote host)
- retrieve files (download/transfer a copy of a file or files from a remote host to your PC)
- Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP
First, if you do not already have WS_FTP, download it now.
When you start WS_FTP for the first time, you will be prompted to enter your email address. Your email address is used when you log-in to anonymous ftp sites - your email address is sent as the password at these sites. (This is standard anonymous ftp procedure).
- Connecting to a Host
When you start WS_FTP, a session profile is automatically displayed. A session profile stores information about a host computer to which you may connect. This information includes the Internet address of the host computer, the log-in and password for the computer, etc. (see example below)
By default, WS_FTP displays the session profile for the host to which you most recently connected. You can display a list of other session profiles by:
- clicking on the PROFILE NAME list button
- click on the name of the desired host (to display its host characteristics)
- click on the OK button (to connect to the selected host)
- Connecting to a Different Host
If you are currently connected to a host you must:
- close the current session
(by clicking on the CLOSE button (located on the button bar at the bottom of the main window). Once the connection is closed, notice that the CLOSE button changes into a CONNECT button. - click on the CONNECT button (to display the session profile for
the session you just closed) - click on the PROFILE (to select a different session profile)
- click on the name of the desired host (to display its host characteristics)
- click on the OK button to connect to the selected host
If a session profile is not listed for the host you want, create a new profile:
- click on the NEW button (to create a new host profile)
- enter the requested information
- click SAVE.
- Click OK (to connect to the new host)
- close the current session
- Transferring Files via FTP (uploading)
Once you are connected to a remote host, the main program window will display. The left half of the window displays the local (PC) information. The right half of the window is the remote host information. Both sides of the window are divided in half to display two list boxes. The list boxes on top show drives and directories - the list boxes on the bottom show files. (see example below)
- double click on drive letters or directory names (to
change from one directory to another) The current directories are
listed at the top of the listboxes. - Click on a filename to select it (to highlight it), then
- click on the left or right arrow button displayed in the middle of the main window screen. (If you click on a local file, then click the right arrow button, a copy of the file will be transferred to the current directory on the remote host. If you click on a remote file, then click on the left arrow button, a copy of the file will be transferred to the current directory on your local PC)
- double click on drive letters or directory names (to
Is it possible to view the contents of a text file from within WS_FTP?
Yes, click on the text file (usually has a .txt file extension) to select (highlight) it, then click on the VIEW button. This is especially helpful for reading remote INDEX files found on many anonymous ftp sites.
Does it matter if I transfer a file as binary or ASCII?
Yes. Non-text files such as word-processing, graphic files, sound files, programs and compressed (.zip) files MUST BE transferred as binary. If non-text files are transferred in ascii format, the resulting file will not be useable. Text-only files should be transferred in ASCII format.
How can I use FTP to upload/download files between my UNIX account and my PC?
- A session profile for your UNIX account should be listed in the profile session list.
- If a host profile is not displayed on the screen, click the Connect button at the bottom of the screen to display a host profile.
- Follow the instructions given above for transferring files.
What does the EXECUTE button do?
If you select a local file and then click the EXECUTE button, the file is executed using the same rules that apply in the Windows file manager. If you click on a remote file and then click the EXECUTE button, the file will be transferred in binary mode to the Windows temporary directory and then executed using the same rules that apply in the Windows file manager.
If the file is an executable file (has a file extension of .bat, .exe, .pif, or .com) the file manager will execute the file from the current directory. If the file is not an executable file, you can create a file association for it. For example, you can associate Zip files (compressed files) with a program such as Winzip. Winzip is a program that uncompresses Zip files. Once the association is created between Zip files and the program Winzip, you can execute a file with a Zip file extension. This will cause the Winzip program (the associated program) to startup, and open the selected Zip file. Examples of other associations you can create: associate a graphics viewer program (such as LVIEW31) with .gif and .jpg file types, associate a sound player program with .au and .wav file types.
You can create associations by clicking the OPTIONS button (at the bottom of the main WS_FTP window) and then selecting Associations. If you specify an association, it will be saved in the win.ini file and will be valid for the Windows file manager.
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