What the heck is "uploading"?

"Uploading" means sending files from the computer you're using to another computer somewhere. FTP - file transmission protocol, is the way most file transfers are done on the Internet. When you say "I'm downloading" it means you are receiving files on your computer from some remote location.

Configure your ftp client as follows:

          Host:    www.sphynx.com

       User ID:    your-id

      Password:    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  

     Directory:    /  (forward slash)

Where to get ftp clients

You can use a search site like webcrawler. Just search for Fetch if you're a Mac fan, or WS_FTP if you're a Wintel slave (just kidding).

• Fetch - for Macintosh Users
  The venerable Fetch is now in a new release that features simultaneous multiple connections. For information try the source at Dartmouth College. To save time, download Fetch 3.0.1 now.
• WS_FTP - for Windows Users
  If you're new using Windows, you may want to look at these instructions for using WS_FTP. Or, you can download a copy directly. Of course, there are many different ftp clients, some easy, some not so easy, for Windows users.

Uploading 101

You need to make sure your files end up in the right location or you won't get the results you're expecting. Our web directories are password protected, so you also have to give the right user name and password or you won't get access.

1. Use an ftp program to connect to our computer, www.sphynx.com. On PC, use WS_FTP. On Mac, use Fetch. There are other client programs, but those are the best to start with and they're available all over the Internet.
2. The ftp program will require a user name. Don't use anonymous ftp. Instead, ftp using your chosen unique user name and assigned password. Use all lower case letters for login and uploading.
3. You should "arrive" in your root directory when you login through password ftp. The first time you access your site,there will be a default home page there called "index.html" and a couple of graphics. You may delete the default page and graphics, or use them, whichever you choose to do. You may want to make a copy of the index.html page for future reference.
4. Now upload your prepared files. On Unix, use the "put" command. On some other ftp programs such as WS_FTP you simply click on an arrow icon to send files. In any case, you've got to get the files from your local computer to ours. Remember, html files must be deposited as text, and gif or jpg files must be transferred as raw data (binary data) not binhex or macbinary.

Test the Site "live"

Now open your browser and type in the URL for your site. For example, if you have created a file called index.html and you have put it in your root directory then the URL will be :

http://sphynx.com/your-id/

http://www.sphynx.com/your-id/

Make Backups

Once you get your site to look like you want it to look, make a backup copy of your entire site, including graphics. You can compress the archive and store it on floppy. If you make backups of your site as it evolves, in the future when you become an award-winning html designer you'll have an archive of your early work.

Copyright © 1996, Sphynx Web Solutions. All rights reserved. All brand names and product names used on these web pages are trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Direct questions or comments to webmaster@sphynx.com.