![\"FTP](\"http:\/\/www.dpscomputing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/ftp-status.jpg\" "\\"ftp-status\\"")
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol<\/a>) and it’s secure alternative SFTP (understandably meaning Secure File Transfer Protocol<\/a>) is without doubt one of the most popular ways of transferring files from your computer to your web server (i.e. your website).<\/p>\n In days gone by, there were a number of ways to avoid using FTP\/SFTP. \u00a0Most\u00a0notably\u00a0was during the ‘Frontpage generation’. \u00a0Anyone remember Microsoft Frontpage<\/a>? \u00a0Well, for those that don’t, it was like a very basic Dreamweaver. \u00a0You could install ‘Frontpage Extensions<\/a>‘ on your website and then upload your file directly from Frontpage using these extensions.<\/p>\n However, there were (and still are) many downsides to this. \u00a0First and foremost is security. \u00a0Frontpage extensions cause a whole load of security issues for your website and your server. \u00a0Most shared hosting providers won’t enable or allow you to have Frontpage extensions – but if you’re in control of your own server (i.e. have root access) then you would still be able to use them. \u00a0However, as Frontpage has reached its End of Life (EOL) now and is no longer updated, it is of course no longer recommended to use them.<\/p>\n Secondly, there’s crap. \u00a0What have Frontpage and crap got in common I hear you say? \u00a0Well Frontpage likes to crap…… as in place crap in every folder throughout your entire website (that’s those annoying _vti folders that some of us fondly remember!).<\/p>\n Thirdly, and finally, there is a better easier way!<\/p>\n For so long people have been scared by FTP. \u00a0For reasons unknown! \u00a0But it is really simple to use and there are many clients available out there for all operating systems including Windows, OS X, Linux and many many more – in fact, if you can find us an operating system without an FTP client, we’d like to know!<\/p>\n FTP was also supported in Frontpage, but the extensions usually got most of the attention. \u00a0The successor to Frontpage was Expression Web. \u00a0This was a slightly updated Frontpage. \u00a0It still included Frontpage extensions but the focus was changed to neutral again – no particular bias towards the extensions or to FTP. \u00a0And then you have newer, more superior and professional products such as Adobe Dreamweaver. \u00a0Dreamweaver supports FTP\/SFTP – and thankfully, and obviously, doesn’t support Frontpage extensions!<\/p>\n See a common theme? \u00a0FTP\/SFTP has survived through the times, the developers and the products. \u00a0It is now the standard in transferring files between your computer and your website. \u00a0And it is fast and efficient – especially if you are using a good FTP client (such as Filezilla<\/a>).<\/p>\n There is of course another option which is still available and included in most web control panels. \u00a0That is ‘File Manager’ – you’ll notice them in control panels such as cPanel and Plesk. \u00a0However, one-file-at-a-time uploads aren’t really that productive. \u00a0They’re useful for changing the odd picture or the odd script here and there but not when you’re about to upload 100 new pictures or 1,000 new pages!<\/p>\n So FTP, FTP, FTP all the way (preferably\u00a0SFTP – to add the bit of extra security to the transfers!).<\/p>\nWhy is Frontpage bad?<\/h2>\n
Scary FTP? \u00a0A protocol for all systems…<\/h2>\n
![\"FileZilla](\"http:\/\/www.dpscomputing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/filezilla-logo.png\" "\\"filezilla-logo\\""){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nA common FTP shaped theme?<\/h2>\n
The trusty old file manager.<\/h2>\n
(Very short) Conclusion.<\/h2>\n