File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a fast, easy, and reliable way to move an entire Web site from one location onto Tripod's servers. FTP is also a useful when moving individual files that you've built on your machine over to your Tripod member directory. You can also back up a copy of your Tripod site on your personal machine with FTP. The possibilities are endless! Follow the simple directions below to have your site up and running on Tripod in no time.

FREQUENLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is FTP, and why would I want to use it?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and is very handy for uploading files (including your entire website) from your computer to Tripod, or vise versa. If you have a lot of files to upload, doing them a handful at a time through the Tripod Uploader can take forever. FTP makes it fast and easy.

Sounds like something I'd want to use, how do I get started?
First, let's run through the obvious questions. We're assuming since you're here, that you already have a Tripod account. If not, you'll need to sign up, first.You'll want to go to Tripod to do that. Another assumption is that you have an internet connection, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Our examples will use Internet Explorer as your means of FTP. Let's face it, no one wants to spend money on expensive software, do that? So, step one would be, to open Internet Explorer.

Okay, got it open, what next?
Go to the address bar (the place where you type in the site you want to go to), and type in ftp.tripod.com. Press Enter to go that site.

It's asking for a username, and password. What do I tell it?
We'd hoped this one would be obvious, but maybe not. Enter your Tripod membername, and password. Do not enter your domain name, if you have one as part of your hosting with us. Only enter your membername. Your membername is the beginning of your Tripod URL. (http://membername.tripod.com)

I'm in! What now?
You should see a view that looks a lot like the files you browser through on your computer. If it's the first time you're logging into the account, you should see a folder called cgi-bin, and an HTML file. The index.html file, is the "main" page people will see when they come to your website. So, if you're changing that, be sure your "main" page, is titled as index.html. Now, the uploading part. Open a new browser window, and locate the files on your computer that you want to display on your website (including your images). Highlight them. (You can upload as many as you want at once, or as many as your internet connection can handle). You can copy and paste those files right into the FTP window. That's it. The files are now in your Tripod webspace.

Anything important I should know?
In relation to FTPing the files to your webspace? Yes, here's a few things to keep in mind:

• Your file names, and images need to be HTML compliant. That means no spaces within their names, and no non-alphanumeric characters.
  
• You can't create subdirectories (folders) from FTP, that needs to be done from the File Manager within your Tripod account
  
• If you delete a file from your FTP site, it's your responsibility to put it back. You can't write into us, and ask us to "restore" it, or "put it back" for you. We don't regularly back up your files. That's why you're using FTP after all, you can use it to back up your website.

Back up? What do you mean?
Back up. You know, like a copy of the site on your computer. So, in case you delete some files accidentally from your webspace, you can put them back, and not have to create everything from scratch. That wouldn't be much fun, would it?

How do I do that?
Well, FTP works the same in both directions. We already went over how to upload the files via FTP. To back up your files, or download them, simply follow the steps in the reverse direction. Locate the files within your FTP window, highlight them. Copy and paste them onto your computer (in whatever folder you want to keep them in.)

My friend said I needed to get an FTP program, is that true?
Well, if you've got money to spend, and want an FTP program, go for it. Who are we to tell you that you can't buy one? By all means, if you want to use an FTP program, go for it. Here's a link to our our help section, regarding FTP Programs and access.

I've already got an FTP program. How do I set it up to work with Tripod?
Here's the info you'll need to use an FTP program:

Host name:	ftp.tripod.com
User ID:	Your Tripod member name
Password:	Your Tripod password
Directory:	Leave this field empty to FTP to your root directory (you can choose a subdirectory later if you wish)