User’s Guide
3.3 ASCII vs. Binary Transfer Mode
1 Introduction
What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is used to upload files to another location on the Internet (for example, to the site on the Internet where your Web Page is kept) and to download files from another location on the Internet (for example, to get a copy of a software program). FTP also lets you browse disks of remote computers that have FTP server software installed.
FTP is one of the earlier applications used on the Internet (back in the "dark ages" before the World Wide Web was developed) and will likely be part of the Internet for some time to come since it is a very effective way to move individual files or groups of files from one location to another.
What is Web Based FTP?
Web Based FTP is an FTP Client software written in Java and built directly into your control panel so that you can move your files to the server while logged in.
2 Graphical User Interface
The main window maintains the ordinary graphical characteristics of most FTP Clients and it is divided into two compartments: the local table which is populated by the user’s local files and the ftp table which contains all the remote files and folders.
The files are sorted by name, size and date when double-clicking on the corresponding table column. The user can interchange the columns of the two tables by dragging, for instance, the “Size” column over the “Name” column.
In order to change the path, the user can type the wanted location in one of the two textfields on the main window.
3 User Features
3.1 Navigate the Ftp Server
Once you have logged in, you can browse from directory to directory and see all the subdirectories and files.
The first file in both local and remote compartments is the parent folder ‘..’ .When you double click on this folder you are taken directly to the parent directory.
In order to deselect a file, you must press CTRL and click on the selected file.
3.2 Show hidden files
Check this box if you want to display the hidden files on your computer.
3.3 ASCII vs. Binary Transfer Mode
By default, Web Based FTP uses binary transfer mode for file transfers. In binary mode, files are transferred without any modifications. ASCII/Text mode is used to convert end of line characters in text files from UNIX-type to Windows-type text format and vice versa.
If you are viewing a text file downloaded via FTP and the text has boxes where the line breaks should be, it means you have to redownload the file in ASCII mode.
Warning: use ASCII mode transfer only when necessary because binary archives and executables downloaded or uploaded in text mode will be corrupted.
3.4 File Viewer
This option allows the user to view the content of the selected files.
3.5 File Edit
This option allows the user to view, edit and save the selected local/remote file.
3.6 Dir Info
By choosing this option the user is offered all the necessary information about a local/remote directory: directory name, last modified, occupied space and the number of files and folders contained in this directory. This information can be saved to the user’s computer.
3.7 MkDir
This is the feature that allows the user to create new directories on both local and ftp tables. If the newly created directory is given an existing name, it is not created and a warning message appears in the blue textarea.
3.8 Delete
Deletes the selected local/remote files and folders. If there is no selected file, a warning dialog pops up and makes the user aware of this fact.
3.9 Rename
Renames the selected local/remote file. If the given name already exists, a warning message is printed in the blue textarea and makes the user aware of this.
3.10 Uploading Files
After selecting a local file, the upload can be performed by pressing the “Upload” button or you can simply use the key shortcut, F5. Multiple files can be selected and uploaded.
You can also use the Drag&Drop feature in order to upload or download a file.
During upload, the progress monitor shows up and displays the source path, the destination path, the transfer speed, the remaining time and also the total remaining time. When pressing “Cancel” the transfer is interrupted.
If the name of the local file to be uploaded corresponds with the name of a remote file, the overwrite dialog appears and the user can choose one of the options listed below:
- Yes : If the selected file is a directory, choosing “Yes” performs the upload of the first file in the directory to be uploaded ; otherwise, the selected local file will be successfully uploaded to the server ;
- Yes to All : All the contents in the selected folder will be uploaded to the server ; If the selected file is not a directory, choosing this option will allow the file to be successfully uploaded to the server ;
- Cancel: the transfer is canceled.
3.11Downloading Files
Select one or more remote files and press the “Download” button or use the key shortcut, F6 in order to perform Download.
If the name of the selected remote file corresponds with the name of a local file, the overwrite dialog appears and the user can choose one of the options mentioned above, at “Uploading Files”.
The progress monitor shows up and gives the user information about the transfer in progress.
3.12 Synchronize Files
This option offers you the possibility to synchronize your files. Synchronize can be performed provided that the selected local directory has a name correspondent on the server.
After choosing to synchronize your files, the Synchronize dialog pops up and the user can choose which files to keep: local or remote.
3.13 Change Drive
Choose a disk from the list in the upper left corner in order to change drive.
If the user selects an unavailable drive, a warning dialog pops up and makes the user aware of this fact.
Another way of changing the directory (local path) is typing the path name into the textfield of the local table and pressing ENTER.
3.14 Change File Permissions
Select one or more files from the server and choose the “Change Permissions” option from the right-click menu.
This operation brings up ChangeAttributes dialog, which allows the user to change the selected file permissions.
