There are three basic types of FTP programs: command line,
graphical, and browser-based.
If you are using a Microsoft OS (such as Windows 2000), you may already have a
command-line FTP. To find out, go to Start > Run, and type
"Command" (without the quotes). When the command prompt comes up,
you should type "ftp" (again, without the quotes). If an
"ftp>" prompt comes up, you already have a command-line FTP program.
You can click here for instructions.
You can also try using IE5's browser-based FTP program.
You can download Internet Explorer 5 at the
Microsoft Download Center.
Once you have downloaded and installed it, you can find
instructions for using FTP for IE5 here.
We do not offer instructions for any graphical FTP programs at
this time. However, we are considering writing instructions for two programs:
WS_FTP and BulletProof FTP. Both are very easy to use.
WS_FTP is free, and has been around for a long time. You can download it
here.
Once you have downloaded it, you should close ALL programs (you may want to print
these instructions before you do that). You can then install it by double-clicking
on the file you have downloaded (if you can't find it, you can go to Start > Find >
Files or Folders, and search for WS_FTP32.exe). This will open an Install Wizard,
and you should be able to just accept all of the defaults (keep hitting "Next").
When you get to the last screen, you will need to select "restart" (do not select
"restart later"). This will restart your computer. When it comes back up, you
can find instructions for how to use this program here.
The second program, BulletProof FTP, is a pay-to-use program. If you think you
might want to use this program, but do not want to buy it without trying it first,
there is a trial version available. To install it, go to
http://bpftp.com
Select "download", then click where it says "Click here to download BulletProof FTP"
(please note that it will take approximately 60 seconds before the download prompt
appears). Once you have downloaded the file, you should close ALL programs (you
may want to print these instructions before you do that). You can then install
it by double-clicking on the file you have downloaded (if you can't find it, you
can go to Start > Find > Files or Folders, and search for bpftp200.exe). This
will open an Install Wizard, and you should be able to just accept all of the
defaults (keep hitting "Next"). When you are finished with the installation
process, you will need to restart your computer. When it comes back up, you
can find instructions for how to use this program here.
If you are using a MAC or another operating system, you will need to find a
different FTP program to use (as the above are all Windows-based). You can search
for one here:
http://www.tucows.com
or elsewhere on the internet. Once you have found and installed a program
(according to the installation instructions they provide), you should return
to the introduction page and select the instructions for the program that most
closely resembles the one you installed.
Click here to return to the FTP introduction page.
