FTP, uploads and Downloads

In computer jargon moving files from a local computer to the server is called Uploading. So downloading is moving a file from the server to the local computer. 

There is one piece of software that can perform both operations and that is the FTP client. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is an essential tool in setting up your site. 
Many browsers support anonymous FTP. Anonymous FTP servers do not require a password for access. However most web servers do not provide anonymous access to their site as understandably the clients data needs to be protected. 

Most FTP clients have an interface similar to the windows explorer. (but the FTP client shipped free with windows 95 does not!). Once a connection is made files can folders can be clicked and dragged between from the server to local disk and vice-verce. 

Some FTP clients have additional options that allow changing file permissions (unix flavors) or resuming an interrupted file transfer. 

A collection of links to FTP clients are given below. Please bookmark this page before leaving. And when you come back please go on to 'so now your site is up and running..' 

Note: these pages were created in 1999 and have not been updated since. While some of the content is still relevent you might want to visit raditha.com where you will find more upto date information and a wider collection of articles