WSFTP is one of the most popular FTP-ing programs used on the web and the one I recommend. You can download the version I use in this tutorial for free here...

http://www.download.com 

Once you install and run the program, you'll need some basic information from your web hosting company to connect to their server and begin transferring your files.

You'll need:

1) Your Host Name/Address: (it's usually just "yourwebsite.com" or ftp.yourwebsite.com")

2) A user ID and Password: (provided by your web hoster)

Once you have this information, input it into the FTP program.

In the Profile Name box, you can put anything here.  I would suggest using your website's name.

In the Host/Name Address, insert your domain name.  Your hoster will tell you if you need to use yourwebsite.com or ftp.yourwebsite.com.

In the Host Type box, leave the default (which is probably UNIX).  If this doesn't work be sure to ask your web host.

For the User ID and Password fields insert the info given to you by your hosting company.

The other two fields are optional.  Hit "OK" and you should be connected to your web server within seconds.

Navigating Around WSFTP

On the left side of WSFTP, you will see a map of your hard drive and on the right side you'll see a map of your host's server.  See image above.

You'll also see a left and right arrow located between the two panes.  These are the arrows that move the files from one location to another.

The green arrow at the top left corner of each pane takes you back one directory.   To access files inside a folder simply double click it.

To FTP a file from your hard drive to your web server, simply highlight (left click) the file you want to upload (on the left). Locate the left and right arrows located between the two screens.  Click the arrow that points to the right.  The file will now be uploaded and placed your web server.

If you want to upload more than one file, hold down the control key while clicking on the files you want to upload. If you want to upload an entire folder, just highlight the folder and click the right arrow to upload it.

This process also works in reverse.  If you want to download the files from your web server to your hard drive, simply highlight the files on the right side of the screen and click the arrow that points towards the left.

Important!

Notice the two radio buttons located directly underneath the two windows.  One says ASCII and the other says Binary.  Text files or filenames that end in .HTML, .CGI, and .TXT files should always be uploaded in ASCII.  Graphic files (.gif, jpg and .pdf) as well as music files (.mp3, .midi etc.) should be uploaded in Binary format.

The above information is very important.  If you upload a file incorrectly it will not work properly.

It's also important to note that moving files from either your hard drive or the web server does not delete them from their original location.  The only way to delete files is by highlighting them and selecting "Delete" from the corresponding menus.  More on that below.

WSFTP Menu

You'll notice that both windows have their own set of corresponding buttons that look like this:

The ChgDir button stands for "Change Directory".  For example, if you were currently looking at files in the c:\My Documents folder and wanted to change to the c:\ directory.  You'd hit ChgDir and type in c:\ into the box. The MkDir button stands for "Make Directory".  You can create new directories (or folders) as needed. The View button allows you to view the file in your default text editor. The Exec button executes the file. The Rename button allows you to rename the file. Refresh updates the file.  It's very important to remember to hit "Refresh" after you've edited a file and saved it.  That way you make sure the most recent version gets uploaded to the web server. DirInfo simply gives you information about the directory you're currently viewing.

How to Change Permissions Using CHMOD

If you're installing a message board, chat room or any other kind of interactive script, they need to be protected so you may be instructed to change some permissions on certain files after you upload them.

Since many scripts are installed on the server end, the wrong person could access them and cause damage to your site and possibility even the web host's server. That's why you need to set permissions (CHMOD) on your script before they will be allowed to run.

For example, when you install a guestbook or a message board, users will need to have access to WRITE to certain files, but only be able to READ others.  If you didn't give them WRITE access, then they wouldn't be able to add new entries to your book or post any new messages on your message board.

So if you see some instructions that say something like, "Set the file to 755" or "CHMOD the file to 755" they are telling you to set the permission for this file.

Here's how to use the CHMOD feature.

1. Open your FTP program and upload the files to the appropriate folders on your server. (Follow the instructions to the script you are installing). Make sure you are uploading any file that ends with .cgi, .html, or .pl in ASCII format.
   
   Graphics and music files should be uploaded in BINARY. If you’re using WSFTP then you’ll see the option to switch between the two right in the middle of the program’s interface. Select the appropriate bubble.
    
2. After you have uploaded the files, check your script instructions and find out the values for the permissions.  (i.e. 755, 777, 666 etc) Highlight the file you need to change and right click it. Choose "chmod" and then a POP UP box will show up.  See below.

Setting Permissions With CHMOD

To set the file to 755, check every box except the "Write" box for the "Group" and "Other" row and hit "OK".

To set the file to 777, check every box and hit "OK".

If you’re asked to set the permissions to any other number then here’s how to figure out which boxes to check:

The READ box = 4

The WRITE box = 2

The EXECUTE box = 1

Each number represents a column. So if you were asked to set a file to 664, the 6 refers to the Owner column, the 2^nd 6 refers to the Group column and the 4 represents the Execute column.  See image above.

So, to set the file to 664, you would check the READ and WRITE boxes in the "Owner" column (4 + 2 = 6) Then you’d check the READ and WRITE boxes in the "Group" column (4 + 2 = 6). And lastly check the READ box in the "Other" column (4).

Now that you’ve edited the files, uploaded them, set all the permissions and your script should be ready to rock and roll! If you receive strange errors when trying to run it, then it could be:

1. You have not uploaded all the files to the proper folders
2. Some permissions are not set correctly
3. You’ve incorrectly defined some of the variables in the cgi script (i.e. the path to your cgi-bin, etc.)
4. All or some of the above.

Be sure to consult the documentation that came with the script and double check you have done everything that was asked of you.

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