An overview of FTP programs

The pages you build on your home computer don't magically appear on the Web -- they have to be transferred to a Web server. That's where file transfer protocol (FTP) programs come in. These pieces of software are an integral link between your content and your site because they allow you to copy files from your computer and place them on a server connected to the Internet. Without FTP, your innovative ideas and sharply designed pages would be forever trapped on your home computer's hard drive.

FTP programs are built upon a protocol, which is a set of rules that helps computers and networks communicate. Since there are so many different computers and networks, protocols act as interpreters, opening the door for machines to share information. The "HTTP" you often see in front of Web addresses (example: http://www.theindependentpublisher.com) is a type of protocol -- the HyperText Transfer Protocol -- that tells Web servers how to serve Web content. Similarly, FTP is a protocol that tells computers how to transfer files.

Choosing an FTP program is determined by personal preference rather than software features because all established FTP packages are effective at accomplishing their one major task: transferring files. If you use one of the major layout editors -- Dreamweaver, FrontPage or GoLive -- you can transfer files through the built-in FTP features in these programs. People employing text editors, or those who prefer to avoid built-in programs, can use one of the many third-party FTP programs on the market. Four of these programs -- each used by independent Web publishers -- are listed below.

FTP program overview

Program	Platform	Notes
Fetch	Macintosh	If you can prove your eligibility, Fetch offers free licenses to charities and students/employees of academic institutions.
Transmit	Macintosh	This program has an intuitive, two-pane interface that shows you "Your Stuff" (the files on your computer) and "Their Stuff" (files on the server).
WS_FTP	Windows	A free version (WS_FTP LE) is available to academic users, government employees and non-profit home users.
CuteFTP	Windows	This program is more user-centric that other Windows-based FTP clients.
Got a recommendation? Send it to: editor@theindependentpublisher.com.