FTP question

[dksaluki]

I have a few things that are confusing me:
What exactly is the UnlimitedFTP? Can I use that instead of Filezilla?, what's the difference? I did get Filezilla up and running, but now, I'm not seeing the connection between Filezilla and my website. How does a visitor to my site get to download a file I upload?..which leads me to my last question: Why do I even need any kind of FTP thing, couldn't I just put the files in my public_html directory? (By files, I mean .xls, or .txt, etc...not web pages)

Please help me in my confusion!

-DK

[shadmego]

I have a few things that are confusing me:
What exactly is the UnlimitedFTP?

Unlimited FTP is a FTP program that Hostmonster gives all their users access to. You can access it via the CPanel interface of your website. Go to www.yourdomain.com/cpanel (http://www.yourdomain.com/cpanel) and login. You will find it under the FTP section on the right side.


Can I use that instead of Filezilla?, what's the difference?

Yes, you can use Unlimited FTP instead of FileZilla. The difference between the two is basically this; FileZilla runs on your local computer. Unlimited FTP has to be accessed via the Control Panel of your website. In other words, it would be easier to access FileZilla than Unlimited FTP because you don't have to open your browser, navigate to your website, log into your CPanel, open Unlimited FTP and then start transfering files. With FileZilla, you simply open the program, connect to your site and start uploading or downloading, depending on what you want to do.


I did get Filezilla up and running, but now, I'm not seeing the connection between Filezilla and my website.

The connection between FileZilla and your website is strictly a file transfer one. In fact, that's what FTP stands for ... File Transfer Protocol. You won't see your site as visitors do when they go to it with a web browser. All FTP allows you to do is interact with the files on your web server. Specifically, you can only download and upload files. It makes it easier get at your files. You should know though, that FTP is a cleartext protocol, meaning your password, username, and all the content you upload or download is sent in plain text, meaning anyone listening between you and the web server can potentially get access to some private information. You should think about using a more secure protocol like SSH, which you will have to contact HM Support to get turned on.


How does a visitor to my site get to download a file I upload?

A visitor to your site can download anything you allow. You can either set up a FTP server, or you can create links on your web pages that point to certain downloads, like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDF documents, etc. Just create a link directly to that file and it will download. Note though, that .txt files and most Microsoft Office document files, along with PDF documents will most likely load in the web browser window unless you right-click the link and manually select "save file as" or some similar option. There are ways around this, but I'll leave that for another thread.


Why do I even need any kind of FTP thing, couldn't I just put the files in my public_html directory? (By files, I mean .xls, or .txt, etc...not web pages)

You really don't need FTP, but it is faster than uploading single files in the File Manager program in your CPanel. With FTP, you can select entire blocks of files and upload them all at once. With CPanel File Manager, you have to upload files (not folders as far as I know) one file at a time. It can get tedeous after only a few files. FTP is only there if you want to use it. Think of it as another feature that HM offers, though most other hosting companies offer FTP as well. It's kind of standard and important to web hosting ...


Please help me in my confusion!

-DK

I hope I helped.

~regards, and welcome to the Community!

[dksaluki]

yes, this all helps a ton. thanks!