Accessing Your Account:
The first thing you need to do is learn how to access your account. You will use FTP (file transfer protocol) to transfer files from your computer to the server, and vice versa.
FTP Access:
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the preferred method of uploading files to your website, and vice versa.. You have unlimited access to your account via FTP 24 hours a day. This allows you to create and maintain your web pages on your own computer, then upload the files to your website at your leisure. FTP is not a program, it is a "protocol", a specific method of transferring data from one place to another. Some online services such as AOL, CompuServe, and Prodigy may have a built-in FTP interface. If you have a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) Internet account, you will need an FTP program.
We recommend WS_FTP for PC users who do not already have an FTP program as this is free for all. Please see instructions below for setting up and using WS FTP. You can also look for other FTP Programs on Http://www.downloads.com.
WS-FTP For PC Users:
In order to FTP into your website you will need the following information which was included in your account activation notice.
· USERID
· PASSWORD
· FTP HOSTNAME
When you have this information, and a copy of WS_FTP installed on your computer you will be ready to setup a Session Profile and FTP into your website.
1. Launch your WS-FTP program. A panel titled Session Profile will be displayed with the WS_FTP program window behind it.
2. Click the New button and type a Profile name into the Profile Name entry box at the top of the panel. This can be any name you choose, "My Website" for example.
3. Enter the appropriate information into the following entry boxes:
Host Name/Address: Enter ip address
Host Type: Select UNIX (standard) from the menu
User ID: Enter your User ID
Password: Enter your Password
Check the Save Password box if you wish.
Leave the other entry fields blank.
 

4. Click on the Save button at the top of the panel to save this Profile. This will eliminate the need for you to enter this information the next time you launch WS_FTP
5. Click on the OK button at the top right of the panel. WS_FTP will now attempt to connect to your website. When you are connected to your home directory on the server, the Profile panel will close.
Left Window:
WS_FTP will now display a split screen. The window on the left contains the folders and files on your own computer. Use the green arrow at the top of the window and the scroll bars to browse your system.
Right Window:
The window on the right will contain the folders and files contained within your home directory. This is your space on the server. This is where you will place your website will be. You will see folders with names such as www, infobots and access-log.
 

Binary vs ASCII or Auto:
You will see two radio buttons below the display windows, one labeled Binary and one labeled ASCII. There will also be a check box labeled Auto. If you select Auto WS_FTP will automatically apply the correct setting, either Binary or ASCII to the document you are transferring. If you elect not to use the Auto setting please note that it is very important to transfer images in Binary mode. Everything else, HTML documents, cgi scripts etc. should be transferred using ASCII mode. If you fail to set this correctly your files may not appear as they should.
Upload Files:
1. Double click on the www directory in the right window to open it. This is the directory you will upload your web pages, files, images etc. into.
2. Highlight a file (or files) from your computer in the left window.
3. Click the right arrow button (>) in the center bar between the windows. That’s it! Your file transfer is complete.
Download Files:
1. Double click on the folder you want to download files into on your computer to open it in the left window.
2. Highlight the file (or files) you wish to download from your website in the right window.
3. Click the left arrow button (>) in the center bar between the windows. That’s it! Your file transfer is complete.
Create A New Directory (Folder):
To create a new directory on your website, click on the MkDir button when you are inside the www directory or a subdirectory of the www directory. You will be prompted to enter a name for the new directory. Once you do this, the new directory will be created.
Multiple File Transfer:
To transfer more than one file at a time, highlight the first file, then hold down the Shift key on your keyboard to select more. All highlighted files will be transferred when you click on the appropriate arrow button to begin the transfer.
Disconnect:
When you are finished transferring your files, click on the Close button at the bottom of the WS_FTP window. This will close your FTP connection.