Using IE as an FTP Client

[David]

Using Internet Explorer as an FTP client

(Accessing your folder on websitearchitecture.co.uk)

Accessing files at websitearchitecture.co.uk is probably best done using a dedicated FTP client. I recommend using SmartFTP, a free FTP client that is easy to install and easy to use.

If you'd rather not use a dedicated FTP client, you can use Internet Explorer. Although functions are limited, you can upload, download, rename and delete files using the familiar Windows Explorer interface.

To start an IE FTP session, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer.

2. Enter the FTP address in the address bar using the following syntax:

ftp://username@websitearchitecture.co.uk



3. You will be presented with a login dialogue box. Ensure that your username is entered correctly in the form username@websitearchitecture.co.uk and then enter your password. Click the Log On button.



4. If you have entered all your details correctly, you will automatically be taken to your personal folder and you will see the contents displayed in the IE window.



You can upload files by dragging and dropping from your desktop or any local Explorer window into the IE FTP window.

Mozilla Firefox

Sadly, Mozilla Firefox cannot be used as an FTP client although it can be used to view the files in your personal folder. To do this, enter the FTP address using the following syntax:

ftp://username@websitearchitecture.co.uk@websitearchitecture.co. uk (no, that's not a mistake)



Enter your password when prompted.



The contents of your folder are displayed.



You may click on compatible files to display them in the browser window but don't try uploading or downloading - it just doesn't work.

It looks as though Mozilla are considering integrating an FTP client with Firefox in the future, but for now, you'll have to stick with Internet Explorer if you want an all-in-one browser and FTP client.

[francis]

*** Disclaimer: Haven't tried this, so don't know how well it works or not ***

There is a FTP extension available for Firefox. Looks like quite a nice little package

[David]

As this is still in Beta, I wouldn't recommend it over something like Smart FTP but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on. Who knows, Firefox could turn out to be the all-in-one web solution we've been hoping for.

[rob]

I myself have always used IE as my FTP client, never had any problems (touch wood!)

[philipjcowan]

For Mac users, the best free ftp is cyberduck. You even get an icon...of a duck. Really cute.

[David]

Here's the Cyberduck link.