Using WS_FTP LE

This tutorial will guide you step by step through configuring WS_FTP to exchange files between your computer and the Learning Resource Server. In order to follow along with us, you'll need to have WS_FTP LE or the Pro version of WS_FTP downloaded and installed, and you'll need to be connected to the Internet via your ISP or online service provider.

Step 1 - Download WS_FTP

If you haven't already done so, please download WS_FTP LE and install it on your computer. This is a compressed file, so you will need a decompression utility to unzip this file.

Step 2 - Open WS_FTPLe and create a Session Profile.

Once you open WS_FTP LE, the first screen you will see is the Session Profile screen, which will look similar to this:
 
 

1. You'll need to enter the following settings in your Session Profile:

• Profile Name: My web Site (you get your choice on this one)
  Host Name: lrs.ed.uiuc.edu
  Host Type: Unix (standard)
  User ID: Insert your lrs username here, usually your UIUC netid or your first initial and last name
  Password: Insert your lrs password here.

2. If you wish, you may choose to save your password so that you don't have to enter it each time you log in with WS_FTPLE. If you wish to enable this time saving feature, check the box marked "Save Pwd". DON'T DO THIS on a shared computer, like one in a computer lab. If you do, the next users of that computer will be able to delete all your files!

3. Be sure the Anonymous box is unchecked. Do NOT enter any other information beyond this. There is no need to enter a directory name; the above settings will automatically place you in your base directory.

When you are finished entering these settings, click on the OK button, and you will be connected to the LRS server.

Step 3 - Transferring Files Back and Forth

Now that you are logged into the LRS web site, the WS_FTP LE screen should look similar to this:

As shown above, the left hand window displays the directories and files on your local hard drive, and the right hand window displays the directories and files on the LRS web site. To transfer files from one window to the other, simply click once on the file you wish to transfer, then click once on the arrow between the two windows, which points in the direction that you wish to transfer the file to.

Directly below the local and remote windows, you'll notice three buttons labeled ASCII, Binary, and Auto.
For best results:

• Image files such as gif or jpeg should be uploaded in Binary mode.
• We recommend all html files be uploaded in ASCII mode.
• To avoid problems with selecting the correct file type, you may wish to leave the "Auto" box checked at all times.

Additional Features

WS_FTPLE also allows you to create new directories, delete directories, as well as delete and rename files. These features are available by choosing the buttons to the right of the Remote System window.

Step 4 - Ending Your FTP Session

To disconnect from your LRS web site, click on the Close or Exit buttons at the bottom of the screen. The next time you connect with WS_FTP, your session profile will be saved for you. Simply make sure you have the right profile, and choose connect.

Step 5 - Viewing your web page

To view the page you just uploaded, use the following URL in your web browser:
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/USERNAME/FILENAME

• Substitute USERNAME with your LRS username
• Substitute FILENAME with the name that you gave your file.

  
  (If you named your file index.html, then you only need to enter the URL as follows: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/USERNAME/ )

Click here for more details on how to FTP to the LRS server.

These instructions are adapted from information at http://xoom.com/xoom/helpcenter/ftp/xoomftp