How to Use FTP to Transfer Files

First, what is FTP? It stands for File Transfer Protocol and it is how you transfer files from your computer at home up to a web server.

Since we work in a cloud editor, you do not need to know how to use this for LabCatsCoding classes. But there are times when it comes in handy – especially if you want to upload pictures for any of your pages.

Here’s what we will learn to do:

  • Install an FTP client on your computer.
  • Launch the FTP tool.
  • Set up a connection to your web site.
  • Connect to your web site.
  • Move to the correct folder on both your computer (where the files you want to upload are) and on the web server(where you want the files to go)
  • Upload!

Install CrossFTP on Your Computer

This is a free FTP tool that works on both Windows machines and Macs. Here is how:

  • Go to the download webpage: http://www.crossftp.com/download.htm
  • Click on Download under the appropriate operating system. For Windows, it would be the one circled in blue and for Macs, the one circled in green.
  • The file will be downloaded and the download indicator which is very similar in either Firefox or Safari will indicate when it is down.
  • Click on the download indicator to install the app – shown here in Firefox in the green circle
  • Note the part that is in the blue circle if you are on a Mac! You might have to follow those instructions. It is safe to install.
  • Follow the installation instructions.
  • For CrossFTP, when you run the application for the first time – select the Free version to run which is the third option

How to FTP Files

  1. Launch CrossFTP.
  2. You can either add the labcatscoding.com site to your list of sites so you don’t have to remember the info:
    1. Click on Sites -> Site Manager
    2. Click on Sites in the left hand window. Then click on the New Site button.
    3. Update the following values in the right hand box.
      1. Label: Coding Club
      2. Host: mscoding.cl
      3. User name: Your child’s first name followed their last initial by @labcatscoding.com – so Eva’s would be evaf@labcatscoding.com
      4. Password: check with your teacher!
      5. Leave everything else the same and click on the Connect button.
      6. Click Yes when it asks you if you want to save the site.
  3. Or you can click on View -> Quick Connect.
    1. A set of boxes will appear at the top of the window.
    2. Host: labcatscoding.com
    3. User name: Your child’s first name followed by lastinitial followed by @labcatscoding.club – so Eva’s would be evaf@labcatscoding.club.
    4. Password: check with your teacher!
    5. Press the Enterkey and you will be connected.
  4. It will then connect to the server in the folder that belongs to that student. Each student has a folder that is his/her first name plus last initial. When they FTP in for the first time that folder will be empty.
  5. The left hand side box shows the files that are on your student’s computer.
  6. The right hand side box shows the files on the web server in your student’s folder.
  7. To upload a file – navigate to where the file is and then select the file(s). Right click and select the Transfer/Copy option on the menu or press the F5 button on the PC.

Tutorial – http://www.crossftp.com/tutorial.htm

FTP Your File to the server

  1. In the left hand pane – navigate to the folder on your computer that has the files you want to upload.
  2. Double click on that folder so you can see the files inside.
  3. Select the file(s) and right click on them.
  4. Select the menu option Transfer/Copy to copy it to your server.
  5. It should appear in your right hand pane in your folder on the server.
  6. Go to your site and see if it is there – www.labcatscoding.com/s/yournamelastinitial