Module 2: Communication Technologies
DOWNLOADING FILES USING FTP
Introduction to FTP
What is FTP?
- What does FTP mean?
FTP stands for file transfer protocol. FTP refers to the ability to transfer files from a computer on the Internet to yours (or from your computer to another computer, if you are using special FTP client software).
- What can you do with FTP?
With FTP, you can download various data files and computer programs from a remote computer and view/run them on your computer.
- Programs can include games, computer utilities, productivity software, and much more.
- Data files can include virus checker updated data files, photos, documents, game hints and strategies, program add-ons and enhancements, video clips, audio, MIDI music, and much more.
- On a Web page, how can I differentiate a file to download from a standard hypertext link?
- When you roll over a hypertext link, notice that the URL is listed in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window. A URL usually ends with filename.html.
- When you roll over a link to a file capable of being downloaded, notice that the URL is a link to a filename (e.g., filename.doc, filename. xls, filename.exe).
- Most HTML authors indicate that the link is a file by adding an icon and the size of the file.
- Examples:
Recognizing File Types
- Recognizing file types: Just like browsing through files on your hard drive, it takes some knowledge to recognize what those files are. File types can be classified in the following manner:
- Data files: These are files that can be opened in various programs. They look like the following:
- filename.doc (Word documents)
- filename.xls (Excel spreadsheets)
- filename.ppt (PowerPoint files)
- filename.jpg or filename.gif (graphics/pictures)
- Program files: These are programs/applications that will run on the PC. They look like the following:
- program_name.exe (Self-extracting file ready to be installed.)
- setup.exe (Most programs are loaded into the PC via a setup routine initiated by running a setup file. Most applications are zipped or self-extracting, so you won't find many programs by this name on FTP.)
- Zipped files: A grouping of several files, especially large files, will usually be "zipped" (tightly packed) into one neat package called a zip file. (See working with zipped files below.) To open a zip file, you need to open it in an unzipping utility. Zip files look like the following:
- PDF files: PDF refers to portable document format. PDF is a special file format in which books, flyers, brochures, journal articles, software documentation, and official forms are reproduced on the PC exactly as the original. PDF files need to be opened by . (See working with PDF files below.) To open a PDF file, you need to open it in the Adobe Acrobat Reader program. PDF files look like the following:
filename.pdf (83.2 Kb)
Download Dr. Steve's PowerPoint presentation on FTP.
How to Perform FTP
When you encounter a link to a document or other file (vs. a standard hypertext link to another Web site), download the file as listed below. You already know how to download a graphic from a Web page.
- graphics
- Right-click on a graphic image.
- From the pop-up menu, select save image as.
- links to files
- Preview the file in a viewer.
(Allows you to quickly view the file. Using this method, you download and open the file via a special viewer within the Web browser.)
- Left-click on the link.
- Press the "open" button if it is provided. View the file within Internet Explorer within the viewer provided. (If the "open" button is not provided, see step no. 3 below.)
- Save the file for viewing with the appropriate program.
(Allows you to save the file and later open it using an appropriate program. Be sure to save the file where you can find it, like in a TEMP folder on the desktop.)
- Left-click on the link.
- Press the "save" button if it is provided. (If the "open" button is not provided, see step no. 3 below.)
 Careful: Note that if you left-click a link to a file (vs. a link to a Web page), you will not open that file in the appropriate program (e.g., not open a Word document in Microsoft Word). Instead, you will open the file in a viewer within Internet Explorer. Although the viewer will resemble the program (i.e., Word, Excel), it will have limited editing capabilities because it is not the program. If you open it in this way, select file--save from the IE menus. Then, open the file in the appropriate program (e.g., open a Word document in Microsoft Word vs. just viewing it on the screen).
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- If the "open" or "save" buttons are not provided.
If left-clicking does not function for any reason, you can right-click the link and select save link/target as... to directly save without opening.
Working with Special File Types
Working with Zipped Files
Some files are zipped to make them fit in one small file. Zipping files on the PC is similar to packing a suitcase for a trip: you squeeze several drawers of material into one small bag. The resulting zip file will actually be smaller in size (storage) than all of the files that are collectively stored within it. Most "meaty" programs are stored in zip files. Further, someone sending large files through e-mail (such as several photos) will usually zip the files before attaching and sending. To unzip a file, you need to download and install a zip client, such as Winzip.
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Note: Windows XP comes loaded with an unzipping utility. Just follow the dialog to unzip and extract files from a zip file. If using an earlier version of Windows, or if you want to use a zipping utility with more features, download and install WinZip from Download.com or from WinZip.com. |
When you have installed the WinZip program, you can now open and create your own zipped files. Again, most programs will be zipped. Also, collections of files (such as a group of photos or documents) may also be zipped. After downloading this program, you also have the ability to zip up files to send to someone else.
To unzip a file using the WinZip program, follow these steps:
- Select all of the files you wish to unpack from the zipped archive file. (Select actions--select all from the menus.
- Press the extract button.
- Indicate where to save the files in the extract dialog.
- Close the zipped archive file by selecting file--close archive from the menus.
- Close the program.
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Try downloading and unzipping the following zip files:
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To create a zipped file, follow these steps:
- Open the WinZip program.
- Select file--new archive from the menus. Provide a file name when prompted.
- Select all of the files you wish to include in the zipped file.
- Select file--close archive from the menus when completed.
- Close the program.
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Try downloading the following files, and create a zip file to store them. Save the zip file in the TEMP folder on your desktop. (Create a TEMP folder if one does not exist).
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Working with PDF Files
PDF refers to portable document format. PDF is a special file format created by the Adobe company. Many educational and governmental (as well as commercial) sites are beginning to use this file format because it allows documents to be reproduced on a PC exactly as the original. This means that books, flyers, brochures, journal articles, software documentation, and official forms can be viewed and printed exactly as originally designed. To create a PDF file, you need to purchase a program from Adobe. Opening PDF files is accomplished by use of a free program, Adobe Acrobat Reader. In addition to installing Acrobat Reader, you can also install a plug-in for Netscape or Internet Explorer to allow you to download and read PDF files directly in the browser window.
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If you cannot your Web browser cannot open PDF files, download the FREE Acrobat Reader from Adobe.com by clicking on the following button:
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Try downloading and opening the following PDF file:
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Download and view some documents available in PDF format at the following Web sites:
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