File Transfer Protocol

         If you recall, you can use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to move files from one computer to another. To move your own files between two computers, you need to have access to accounts for both computers. To get files from other sites, the most common use of FTP is to log on to an anonymous FTP site. There are many "anonymous FTP" sites on the Internet where you can get free software, graphics, text, audio files, and much more. It doesn't matter where in the world the site is: you can even transfer a file from Seri Begawan (remember where that is?) directly to your computer!

         Your own mail system might have an FTP client running on it. to find out, you can either type "ftp" at the command prompt or click on the FTP icon to see if the client is present. If you don't get any inteligible response from those actions, you probably have to get your own FTP client. You will do that in Activity #1 below.

    Activity #1

    In this activity, you will actually use FTP to get your FTP client and install it on your computer! How's that for killing two birds with one stone?

    For the Macintosh, you can use the program called

    Fetch Icon  Fetch

    For the pc you can use the program called

    WS-FTP Icon WS-FTP Limited Edition

         Both programs are free for educational institution affiliates (that's you if you are a teacher!). Just click on the icons or links above and get the correct FTP client for the platform you are using. Install it following the directions, and Eccola! You have FTP'd your FTP.

    Activity #2

         Nowadays, using web browsers makes ftp tranfers very easy--transparent really.  All you usually have to do is click on a word, a phrase, or an icon and the file is automatically ftp'd directly to your computer.  You just need to decide where to put it when it arrives.  Let's do one of these ftp transfers now.  Click on the icon below to ftp the image file to your machine.  Then open the image in your web browser or any application you might have that can handle jpg image files.  Next, identify the "subjects" in the photo and their geographical location.  Finally, write this information down and hand it in to your methods instructor.  Voilà--you are an ftp fanatic!

    [Learning the basics]