FTP is something that every one of us will do on a daily basis until some bright spark finds a better way to get things up there on to the Internet! Like most things to do with the web, FTP is pretty complicated - but then you’re probably used to that by now. In the world of the adult webmaster, very little is simple.

The wonderful world of sounds.

One thing I’ve found essential with FTP is the use of sound as a guide to what’s going on. As well as making the process a little more fun, it’s also got a SERIOUS use. It lets you know when a connection to the server was made, when files have been uploaded, and if there was an error. Find 3 short .wav files - which can be ANYTHING, and then open your FTP package’s settings and tell it where the sounds are, and which event is to trigger which sound. This will give you an essential guide to when a process has been completed in FTP.

That Simpsons wav might sound like a good idea now - but remember that the sound effect you attach to a file being uploaded could get on your nerves if it’s not subtle. Choose carefully.

Setting up a connection for each site.

This is something else I’ve found to be essential. In your FTP program, you’ll have a ’start’ window. This will show you the FTP connections you have made so far. Learn how to use this area. Spend some time making a connection for each important area of your business.

By this, I mean anything that you visit on a regular basis - make a connection to that site. And make sure you SAVE the relevant folder paths on each side of the connection. So when you log on to “mysite1.com” - you are in the relevant folders on each side. In all FTP programs, there’s a “Save folders” feature - or a “bookmark” feature.

Examples of things you might want to bookmark would be a hub, the domain where you always FTP your images, your main site, your links site - whatever you think you’ll be visiting most.

Making quick changes on the server.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be someone who’s forever uploading a page and then thinking, “Ah - if I could just alter that” - or spotting some little mistake that needs to be fixed. Well all FTP programs can also act as an HTML editor, if a very basic one. Just right click on the file you need to edit on the remote side, and choose EDIT. This will bring up a page of text - which is the HTML source code. (Turn on WORD WRAP too). You can then pick out any little mistakes or things you’d like to change. It’s also good if you come back later and spot a mistake you’d like to correct.

Working in the background & running multiple instances.

Watching files upload is about as interesting as watching PAINT dry. In fact, I think between uploading 7 megs of site data and the paint - I’d probably opt for some serious dulux watching. Don’t forget that your FTP software will run perfectly well on your PC if you go off and do something ELSE! I don’t mean you can go laze in the back yard in some of that sun either! Webmasters have a HUGE list of things to do each day - so go plough through some of that while you’re uploading your latest site.

And who says you can’t start ANOTHER window of your FTP software? Just go to the start menu, or click the ICON on the desktop, log in, and start uploading something else. This is especially useful if you’ve got sites on multiple domains, or you have swapped out an affiliate program across all of your sites. Make your PC and your FTP software work to maximum efficiency.

CH MOD’ing

CH MOD is something that you’ll need to do to set up 99.9% of the web scripts out there. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually not that far out. When someone says, “CH MOD that file…” they mean to alter one of the files settings. Every file has a setting for who / what is allowed to alter it, edit it, and even run it (if it’s a web computer program). YOU, as the creator and owner of the file are the one that controls that setting. So CH MOD means to change the mode - to alter the settings of who what can and can’t access the file.

In true internet form, this has a rather complicated TWIST to it. You have to remember some numeric codes. If you change a files mode to 755, that means that it will be a computer program that can be run on the Internet. (Obviously it has to be a program to run - setting an html page to 755 won’t do it). Then there’s 777 - you can set files to that when they need to be opened and edited BY a computer program. Don’t worry - when you install a web script (computer program for the Internet), you’ll be told which files to CH MOD.

To alter the file’s setting, left click on the file (on the REMOTE side only) then RIGHT click and Choose CH MOD from the menu that pops up. From that, choose the appropriate setting mode - 755, 777 etc…

ASCII, Binary, and AUTO

Another feature in FTP that can be a real noodle baker is that there are 3 ‘modes’ in which you can upload a file to the web. Who came up with this one, I have no idea, but I’d like to take them out back and beat them with a heavy sack! For some reason, we have 3 settings on our FTP software - ASCII, Binary, and AUTO. Most FTP programs are on AUTO unless you override it - which you’ll need to do if you’re uploading anything other than webpages and images. Here’s a quick reference for you:

MUST BE UPLOADED IN ASCII

• .htaccess
• .cgi .pl and other perl web scripts (not php!)
• Some data files used by the script

MUST BE UPLOADED IN BINARY

• htm, .html, .shtml
• .jpg and .gif files
• Shockwave and other files.

If your images are behaving strangely - one of the things you need to check is that you didn’t upload ‘em in ASCII. They won’t work if you do this. Delete them and upload again in BINARY.

Auto sounds intelligent, but it’s not! All AUTO does is follow the file formats you specified in the settings of the FTP program. Monitor and watch it carefully.

Tips

Let’s finish off with some misc. tips here:

Save time and upload when you’re not there - even when you’ve gone to bed.
Keep FTP info from your host on your desktop in a text file - HANDY!
Be careful who you give your FTP password out to…