How do I upload my files to a web server?

mjpliv · Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 406 Location: Nova Scotia

FTP (file transfer protocol) is generally used to transfer files from your computer to your web server. It requires the use of a client (a program that "talks" to a server) that allows you to make a connection to a server, log onto your file space and then transfer files, make directories, delete files and set file permissions (permission means that some files files can be viewed only, some can be written to and some can be executed). There are some FTP client programs that can be downloaded and used for free such as WS-FTP and EFTP (try http://nonags.com/ for FTP clients).

You can also use programs like Microsoft's Front Page which is a WYSIWYG (pronounced wizzywig and stands for What You See Is What You Get) HTML editor/generator. If your web server offers Front Page Extensions (most do) then you can actually upload your files with the Front Page program.

Some "free" servers provide a webpage that allows you to browse through your local files and pick the ones you want to upload but these same servers rarely allow you to upload the "special" files to thier secure folder required to run things like Blogs, bulletin boards and forums like this one.