Using Fetch on the Macintosh

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and one of the better programs to use on the Macintosh is Fetch. Fetch is installed on all of the public use Macs and is actually very easy to use.

1. Locate the Fetch program on the Macintosh (Usually in the Applications folder) and double click to launch the program.
2. Enter the name (I.E. biology.wustl.edu) of the computer you are connecting to in the Host: section.
3. Enter your login name and password in the next two sections and then click OK.
4. In the next window you will see a listing of your directory. If you wish to transfer a file to your computer locate the file you are looking for and click on the Get button at the bottom of the screen. You will see a window with the file name you are transferring. Click on Save to copy the file to your Macintosh.
5. To transfer files from your Macintosh to the server that you are connected to click on the Put Files button at the bottom of the Fetch program window. A window will open asking you to locate which file(s) to put on the server. You will then see a window stating the name of the file and format it will be in. The Automatic option for format should work OK for most files. To transfer the file(s) simply click on OK.

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Using an FTP program for Windows

There are many FTP programs available for the Windows platform and I have found that WS_FTP works very well. To connect to a server and transfer files follow the instructions below.

1. Go under the Start menu and select programs to locate and launch the WS_FTP program.
2. A Sessions Properties window will open and you will need to change the Host name/Address to the server (I.E. biology.wustl.edu) you wish to connect to. You can leave the Host Type set to Automatic Detect. You will then need to enter your User Name and Password and then click on OK.
3. You will now see a window that is split in half. The window on the left is the hard drive of the computer that you are using and the right window is the server that you are connected to.
4. To transfer a file locate the file either on your hard drive or the server and use the arrow buttons located between the two windows to copy the file. You will notice three buttons below the windows titled ASCII, Binary and Auto. If it is not already selected click on the Binary button as this will work OK for most files.
5. When you are finished click on the Close button and then the Exit button to logoff the server and leave the program.