To learn how to upload your work to the Secret Pens using FTP, read this entire page.
Or, if you prefer, follow one of these shortcuts to skip to what you want
to know.
What is FTP?
FTP is the method we use
to put our completed web pages up onto the Secret Pens. You don't have to
know any more than this. If you're willing to trust that it works by magic
;-) skip to the next step.
For those who want to
know more: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. A protocol in computer
terms means about the same thing that it does in real life: it's a set of
rules and conventions that define a way of communicating. Just as with people,
to communicate effectively two computers need to be familiar with the same
protocol. There are many different protocols. Here are some examples:
Protocol
|
Often Used for:
|
Client Software Needed:
|
Examples of Clients:
|
HTTP |
Web Sites |
Web Browser |
Internet Explorer, NetScape |
FTP |
File Transfers |
FTP Client |
WS FTP, Internet Neighborhood, CuteFTP |
SMTP, POP3, IMAP |
Email |
Email Client |
Eudora, Outlook Express |
As you can see, the table
also includes columns talking about Clients. A Client is a specialized piece
of software that knows how to communicate using a certain protocol. Your
personal computer needs to have at least one Client installed for each kind
of protocol you hope to use. In this case, you will need
an FTP Client.
On the "other end of the
conversation", as it were, is a piece of software called an FTP Server which
resides on the Secret Pens computer. The FTP Server allows an FTP Client
to connect to it for the exchange of files using the FTP protocol.
Once you have used this
method to send your files to the Secret Pens, the FTP protocol's job is done.
Now your audience will use Web Browsers (HTTP clients) to connect to a Web
Server (HTTP Server) and get at your files using the HTTP protocol.
Where can I get an FTP Client?
The first thing to do
is check and make sure you don't already own one. Many versions of Windows
come with either a DOS or a Windows FTP client or both. Almost every flavor of
UNIX and Linux box has an FTP client installed. There are other examples
like this, so you might already own one or more FTP Clients without realizing
it.
I highly reccommend the
DOS clients to those who have easy access to it. If you don't,
your best bet is to download something from a freeware or shareware site.
You can also purchase a commercial one if you like; they are not particularly
expensive ($20-30).
Wikipedia has a good page comparing
different FTP client software.
I need help learning my FTP Client.
Every client is different,
and it will be necessary to read your client's instructions to learn how
to use it. However, here is a general overview of how an FTP transaction
works. It may be helpful in interpreting your own client's help menus.
1) While connected to
the Internet, run your FTP client.
2) Now you want to connect
to the server, ftp.secretpens.org. Some clients require you to set up
a small profile or account for each server, and they remember everything
the next time you use it. Other clients expect you to simply type in the
server's name every time. At any rate, you will first have to enter the server's
name, and then tell the FTP client to attempt to connect to it.
3) Upon connecting to
the server, you will be asked for your password and username. The clients
that make you set up a profile or account for the server will probably also
remember your username and password if you want them to. Otherwise, type
it in manually. Passwords and usernames are case-sensitive on most UNIX type
systems, including this one.
4) Because the Pens is behind a firewall, you'll want to set your FTP client to
what is called "passive mode" before trying to do anything like upload files. Some
clients will figure this out automatically while others will require you to issue a
command after logging in.
5) You will find yourself
in your own directory upon login. So, the next step is to upload. Every client
will have its own way of doing this. Some have a graphical user interface
which allows you to drag and drop files, while others will require browsing
for the files or typing in the names manually. Some allow transferring multiple
files at one time, while others can only handle them one at a time.
6) If you leave your computer
for long, the server may log you off. Simply log back in and continue.
7) Check your work using
a web browser. Your files should be visible at
http://www.secretpens.org/yourusername/yourfilename.html. If nothing is missing
and all the links work, disconnect from the server and close your FTP program.
You're done!
Q. Why can't I use Telnet instead?
A. Telnet is a means of
connecting to a UNIX shell account via the internet. It gives the user a
lot more flexibility than FTP does. However, it is also more of a security
risk. To minimize security problems Telnet has been disabled on the Secret
Pens machine.
Q.
Why can't I use FrontPage (AOLPress, Netscape, etc.)
instead?
A. Some people use HTML
editors that have built-in uploading features with a simple "Save As" type
user interface. Unfortunately, these programs only work with servers that
have been specially modified to communicate with them. (See discussion of
protocols in What is FTP? above) These modifications
are called "extensions". For the most part they are not compatible with each
other. To accomodate everybody's HTML editor a lot of extensions would have
to be added to garlen. This could theoretically be done, but only during
an extensive rebuilding of the system. If you use one editor exclusively
and would like extensions for it to be added to make your life easier, drop
an email to the editor and
it will at least be considered (no promises) during the next major housecleaning.
In the meantime, save your web page to your hard drive and use FTP to upload
it. You'd have to save a copy for backup purposes, anyway. Right?
Right??
Q. My Web browser can do FTP. Can't it?
A. Yes and no. It is possible
to access an Anonymous FTP server using some
popular Web browsers. The URL in those cases starts with ftp:// rather than
http:// to denote the difference in communications method being used. There's
no rule that says a piece of software can't know how to "speak" more than
one protocol. However, most of the popular browsers can only download (get
files) and not upload (put files up on the web). For full FTP functionality,
you'll want a real FTP client. See how to get an
FTP client above.
Q. What is Anonymous FTP and why is it irrelevant to the Secret Pens?
A. Anonymous FTP is used
on some big systems that house a lot of files a lot of people want to get
to. The site owners don't care who downloads the files, they just want it
to be easy and quick. So, they don't ask for a user name or a password, only
the person's email address. Our situation is a little different. Our audience
get the files they want (web pages) by visiting the web sites with their
Web browsers. There is no need for Anonymous FTP access and not having it
makes things easier security-wise. When people do connect by FTP, it's our
contributors coming to put stuff on the server. They enter their user name
and password and are automatically placed in their own file directory.
Email the Editor
comment
on these instructions or get help on the message board
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