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How to Upload Files to the Internet
upload music - Most people have no problem downloading from the Internet. You usually click a link, then tell the browser where you can store it. But exactly how do you get a file out of your computer up to the internet?
To obtain a file up to the internet, use FTP. That represents File Transfer Protocol.
What exactly is FTP?
FTP is really a very simple process. The assembler language code for easy FTP is only a few lines long.
upload - FTP software is more elaborate obviously. It has error correction, login and safety measures, etc.
FTP Software
upload file - Should you just want to upload several files, you can use Windows Explorer to upload. It has some peculiarities. And it may take some getting used to. But once you receive the feel of it, it is not too bad.
You can also use FTP software. You will find free FTP software. Filezilla is free of charge, and does not come with adware or other such nonsense. And delay quite well.
There is CuteFTP that your lot of people like. It is very user friendly.
Then you have the professional FTP for example WS-FTP Pro. If you are going to upload a number of files, or large files, you will want to spend a little money of a professional FTP software. At the time of this writing (December, 2008) Professional FTP software runs under $100 USD.
Where to upload files to?
If you have a website, you can upload your files there.
If you wish to share photos with folks, you may not even need FTP software. You will find websites like Photobucket that have FTP capability integrated to their site. You receive what you pay for, though. Photobucket has its limits.
You can also buy "hosting". You may even want to buy a domain name. If you just want to upload photos or another stuff to share with your friends, you can find a cheap hosting plan. You'll almost certainly want to buy a domain name. Domains run about $20 annually or less.
How to upload the files.
Once you have a place to upload to, irrespective of which method of uploading you select, you will need certain information. Here is a list of information you will require for almost any FTP connection. Your host will have a few more things you will have to enter.
The FTP host: This is often an IP address (An Internet protocol address looks like 123.45.678.90) or a domain name. Sometimes preceded with "ftp." A standard FTP host may appear to be: ftp.somewebsite.com
Starting or Home Folder: Your host will have to let you know this. Some common starting folders for websites are /public_html, /wwwroot, /httpdocs... There are many more. Note: You'll likely not enter any leading or trailing forward slashes (/) in your FTP configuration.
Passive or Active FTP? Try Passive FTP first if you're not sure. It is the most frequent kind.
Username and password: Self-explanatory. Expect if your username appears like an email address.
The FTP Port: You may not ever have to enter the port. Port 21 is utilized almost universally.
