Create a Folder (Like -say- C:\WebPage)
Copy a COMMAND PROMPT shortcut on the Desktop.
You can find this via the START button:
START---ALL PROGRAMS--ACCESSORIES--COMMAND PROMPT
Just right click and drag, select "Copy Here".
Rename "Command Prompt" to whatever you wish, like "Web".
(Right click "Command Prompt" and select Rename.)
Now right click the icon and select "Properties".
You should be on the "Shortcut" tab. If not, select it.
Change the "Target:" from
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe
to
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /k FTP -s:logon.txt members.optushome.com.au
The %SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe opens what we used to call a DOS window, where we will do all our work.
(%SystemRoot% is most likely C:\Windows)
The /k is a switch that tells cmd.exe "more stuff is on the way",
FTP is the File Transfer Protocol program itself (ftp.exe),
-s: tells FTP to read a file, logon.txt in this case.
Finally, members.optushome.com.au is where my "yourpathfinder" (my username) account resides.
Next, enter your working directory (like "C:\WebPage") in the "Start in:" window.
Select "Apply" and you are done with the shortcut.
When you doubleclick the shortcut icon and (hopefully) connect with your server, all upload/download will be between your working directory and the remote working directory. That is good enough for a simple WebPage. Directory management is a later topic.
Get into C:\WebPage and start up a text editor.
(You can right click the directory window, select NEW---TEXT DOCUMENT, then rename to logon.txt).
Doubleclick logon.txt and make a one two or three line file like
yourusername
yourpassword
ls -akls
where the last line gives you a directory listing when you log on.
If you do not want to see the directory when you log on, omit the last line.
More importantly, if you do not want to put your password there for anyone that has access to your computer to see, leave that line out. When you logon, you will be prompted for your password.
In your working directory (C:\WebPage) you have made a file "index.htm" or "index.html"...
Haven't you? If not, learn how to make one up by stealing somebody else's page.
Just right click someones' page and click "view source". Then save that as "index.html" in "C:\WebPage".
Now close everything (if you wish) and double click your "Web" icon.
A "DOS window" (OK, Command window) opens up.
You should get something like
Connected to MEMBERS.OPTUSHOME.COM.AU
220 ProFTD 1.2.6 Serv..... stuff here is system dependent...
230 User username@optusnet.com.au logged in.
ftp> ls -akls
200 PORT command successful
150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list
...and a list of files follows... Finally, you see
ftp>
which is where you enter your ftp commands.
Your first command might be
ftp> put index.htm
If that works, you should be on the air. enter "bye"
ftp> bye
then get out of the DOS --oops I mean command window (exit or hit the window's X button) and go to your web page.
(Like mine is http://members.optushome.com.au/yourpathfinder/) ---very ISP provider dependant!
Note that you could have put those two commands in the logon.txt file and saved having to type them in during your ftp session. But you should play around in ftp for fun at least a few times! Try some ftp commands like help or some of the commands below...
Some important ftp commands:
(Hey, note the remote server filenames and commands are CASE SENSITIVE)
ftp>put filename --upload filename to the website. Overwrites old file if there is one.
ftp>get filename --download from website. Watch the type:
ftp>ascii --set ascii transfer type (usually the default?)
ftp>binary --set binary transfer type. Note: must use this for .gif, .jpg etc. files!
ftp>del filename --delete website filename.
ftp>mdel --multiple delete files (names are prompted, you select Y/N).
ftp>mkdir dirname --creates a directory
ftp>rmdir dirname --removes one IF IT IS EMPTY.
ftp>cd dirname --changes to directory dirname on website.
ftp>lcd dirname --changes local (your computer) directory.
ftp>cd .. --gets you back (website directory).
ftp>cd .. --gets you back (your computer directory).
ftp>ls -akls --gives a directory listing.
ftp>! --escape to shell (your computer)
C:\WebPage>exit --return from shell to remote (this exit will return to ftp)
The above two commands let you get back to your computer --change files, etc--
but don't stay too long as the remote connection may "time out" after a few minutes of inactivity.
You can do everything quickly by making logon.txt a "batch" file...
yourpathfinder
password
put index.htm
put how2ftp.htm
ls -akls
bye