Posting to the Student Web Server from Off-campus

(or any computer using FTP)

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NOTE: You have a 100Mb quota for all files you post on the Storage server. This includes files on your web space, as well as files in your personal storage space, files placed in drop boxes, and files you left in departmental folders.

If you are posting to the student web server from any computer off-campus, you need to use FTP. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocal, and it allows you to move files between computers on the Internet. You need to have an FTP client on your computer. Although you can use any FTP, ACC supports FTP Explorer on the PC and Fetch on the Macintosh.

These instructions are written specifically for FTP Explorer, but can be used with other FTP clients.

Getting the FTP client for Windows

If you do not already have FTP Explorer on your PC, or Fetch on your Macintosh, you can download it from Haverford's Software Download page.

ASCII vs BINARY

When using FTP to place your files on the Web server, the single most important trick is to make sure you set your file type correctly before transferring files. Please be sure to read the following paragraph carefully.

The FTP protocol supports two transfer types, ASCII and BINARY. Different files must be transferred with the appropriate type set. Using the incorrect type will often result in unusable files.

With FTP Explorer you can set the transfer method to ASCII for all files, by selecting the A button at the top of the FTP explorer window. Explorer will automatically detect when you are transferring a Binary file. However, you should be aware of this general rule:

• Any text file (.txt, .html, etc.) must be transferred in ASCII mode
• Any other type of file (including pictures, sounds, etc.) must be transferred in BINARY mode

Step-by-Step Instructions

If you are unsure as to the proper mode for a given file, send email to compctr for help.

1. Start the FTP Explorer application. From the Start menu select Programs and then FTP Explorer.
2. You get a connect menu. Fill in the fields as follows:
   • Profile Name: HC Web Server (or make up your own)
   • Host Address: storage.haverford.edu
   • Port: Leave the default, 21
   • Login: your email username, e.g. juser
   • Password: your email password
   • Initial Path: /users/firstletter/username/public_web (replace "firstletter" with the first letter of your username and "username" with your actual username, e.g. /users/j/juser/public_web)

   You can click the Save button to add this setup to the popup menu of profile names for future use. When you're done, click Connect.
   

3. Verify that the file transfer type (ASCII or Binary) is selected properly. If you're not sure, read the explanation at the top of this page.
   
4. Drag the files you want to publish into the your folder on the web server.

For Questions and Comments, contact Haverford College's Academic Computing Center.
Last updated on March 28, 2005