FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time. The ability to transfer files back-and-forth makes FTP essential for anyone creating a web page as this is the software that will upload your web pages to your website.

When downloading a file from the Internet you’re actually transferring the file to your computer from another computer over the Internet. This is why the T (transfer) is in FTP. To make an FTP connection you can use a standard web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) or a dedicated FTP software program, referred to as an FTP client.

An FTP Client is software that is designed to transfer files back-and-forth between two computers over the Internet. It needs to be installed on your computer and can only be used with a live connection to the Internet.
CLASSIC FTP TWO-PANE DESIGN

The classic FTP Client look is a two-pane design. The pane on the left displays the files on your computer and the pane on the right displays the files on the remote computer.

File transfers are as easy as dragging-and-dropping files from one pane to the other or by highlighting a file and clicking one of the direction arrows located between the panes.

Here are just a few of the FTP clients you may choose from:

WS_FTP
WS_FTP Professional is the choice for high-end needs. WS_FTP Professional supports 128-bit SSL encryption, simple installation wizards and a full administrative GUI. It also features a built-in log analyzer. WS_FTP is designed to run on true Windows servers; it runs on Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista. WS_FTP Professional costs $89.95.
WS_FTP

WAR FTP DAEMON
War FTP Daemon is free FTP software. It runs on most popular versions of Windows and is designed for a range of needs from basic to advanced. War FTP has been developed over many years and has proven itself as a stable and mature freeware Windows FTP server.

ZFTPSERVER SUITE
zFTPServer Suite is a free Windows FTP server. It features multi-lingual user interfaces, flexible access control for both accounts and IP addresses, and passive as well as active mode connections. zFTPServer supports all popular Windows operating systems (including Vista) and is designed for ease of use by beginning and intermediate level users.
FILEZILLA SERVER
Windows FTP server download, FileZilla Server is a free, Open Source program. It offers both binary and full source code downloads. FileZilla Server tracks the user IDs of all connected sessions and each file transferred.

SERV-U FTP SERVER
Serv-U strikes a good balance between cost, features, and stability. Serv-U runs on all popular versions of Windows including Windows 95 and Windows 98 as well as Windows NT and the newer Windows platforms. Costs $199.95.

DREAMWEAVER CS4
The website development software Dreamweaver also has a built-in FTP facility which is extremely easy to use. It will cost between $212 and $375.49 or you can buy it as part of the Adobe Creative Suite 4, which includes all the development applications you will ever need for between $999 and $1,579.99.

I’d like to hear what you’ve got to say about business software. Please leave a comment…