File Transfer ProtocolLast updated on June 26, 1996
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the primary method of transferring computer files over the Internet. FTP allows you to browse file archives interactively at any public Internet archive site that allows anonymous user access. You can select which files you want to download (retrieve electronically). You must specify the type of file to be transferred - your FTP software may be smart enough to make this choice for you. Generally, files that contain just plain text are in a format called ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), while computer programs, compressed files of all types, images, sounds and video clips are in binary format. Using FTP you can identify where on your local PC you would like the downloaded files to reside. Some FTP sites also allow anonymous users to make contributions - upload - files and have published rules on what can and cannot be contributed according to current U.S. and international copyright laws. Your Internet service provider should supply you with the Windows shareware program WS_FTP, or its equivalent, for FTP Internet access.
|