FTP is no doubt the most common way to access your website. You launch your favorite FTP program, connect to your site, navigate the directory structure just like you would on your PC, download files, upload files, rename and delete files. All in a very similar to windows manner.

Although, your web server probably isn't Windoze based. Oh, yes, Windoze is definitely in the web hosting server industry, but the best way to go is to host on a Unix or Linux server. It is just better, has much more to offer and you don't get caught up on that Windoze arena where you have to do it his way, or it just doesn't work. Plus, you won't be using that blasted FrontPage and your pages will be much, much cleaner.

I have been using WS_FTP for years. It's a good program. I'm a little disconcerted with it lately, as it has really slowed down. I should probably uninstall it and then reinstall it. It's become very large and has lots of bells and whistles nowadays.

There are severl more decent programs out there. Cute FTP comes to mind. Google for "ftp program" or "ftp software" and you're sure to find a good selection.

FTP stands for file transfer protocol. Really all it has to do is allow you to upload and download, rename, delete and change permissions. Permissions? Huh? I need permissions? Yes, you do, if you are installing CGI programs where some of the files need to have their permissions changed. The CGI software should provide you with instructions on how to do that. Maily, the .cgi and or .pl files need to have permissions set to 755. Some need 777 to be written to. It's beyond the scope of this tutorial to get into this, just so you know something about what it is.

It's always a good idea to download the file you want to update, make your changes, then upload it again. If you are not the only one working on the site, say you have a webmaster or other person doing updates from time to time, the only way to ensure you have the latest file is to download it from the server. Always download, update, upload. If you update the file on your PC, then upload it, chances are you'll overwrite someone else's work. Of course if you are the only one working on your site this is irrelevant.

Dreamweaver has a built in FTP system.