FTP (File Transfer Protocol) QUESTIONS

1. What is FTP and how do I get it?
2. How do I use FTP?
3. It appears that my links are not working. What could be wrong?
4. Why does my browser say the HTML page 'has no content'?

Q: What is FTP and how do I get it?

A: A: The method by which files are transferred to the web server is called 'FTP' (File Transfer Protocol). FTP is designed to provide you with access 24 hours a day. As such, you can create and maintain your web pages on your own computer and upload files to your Website at your leisure.

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Q: How do I use FTP?

A: A: Transferring between our server and your hard drive is simple:

• Make sure you are in the proper directories on both (you can move around your local hard drive double-clicking on subdirectory folders or double clicking the '..' which will move up one directory from your present location.
• Click once to highlight the relevant file(s) - you can use the SHIFT key to select more than one sequential file or hold down the CTRL key to select specific files to transfer.
• Click on the proper left or right arrows to begin transmitting.

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Q: It appears that my links are not working. What could be wrong?

A: A: The most common reason for a link not working is that the file does not exist in the location specified. This can mean either of the following:

• Wrong case - UNIX is case sensitive, and if your file calls for 'TEXT.HTML', it is not the same as 'text.html'.
• The link points to a file on your hard drive, and unless the user has the same file by the same name, in the same place, on his own hard drive, he or she will not see what you intended.

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Q: Why does my browser say the HTML page 'has no content'?

A: A: Most likely, you are running a text editor (like Microsoft Word) during the construction process and sending the HTML pages via FTP while the file is still open in the text editor. If you leave the page open in the editor (especially Word), FTP (especially WS-FTP) doesn't have anything to read and thus send to the AlterHosting server - other than a filename. The Browser, in turn, doesn't find anything. Close the documents in the editor first and save them. Then, FTP to our server and the Browser should find the pages without incidence.

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