Cat Bits
As we stated in Web Pages, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and there's also more than one way to make information available over the Internet. This is the fastest way.
PCFTP
ftp or File Transfer Protocol is another example of a common language that has been developed for the Internet. The ftp site is a separate or partitioned area of a server dedicated to file storage, and by default to file transfer. This area doesn't have fancy pictures, or nicely formatted text; rather, it is a purely graphical representation of the layout of a hard drive storage area with files, directories and documents. When you see something you want to download, you point and click and away it goes.
The power of the ftp site doesn't really become obvious until you use a dedicated ftp application. Although a simple ftp application is part of your browser, and can do the main things that a dedicated application can, your browser will continue to do site monitoring things and attempt to make the ftp site look more attractive, and this will take a lot of power away from the download. The browser ftp can also not upload.
Getting Going
The trick, then, is to use your browser to get an ftp reference and then swap to an ftp application to do the deed. You can do this simply by following the trail 'til you have a ftp reference (URL) in the browser URL window, then stop the download (which will have been activated to get the URL into the window), highlight the URL, copy it, then paste it into your ftp application.
ftp applications do not have graphics, but follow file paths by seeking directory information each time you click on a directory, or by seeking to download when the path is at an end (when there is no further to go and you are at the raw file name).
It is part of the nature that many ftp sites require passwords for entry, and the process that is used is called 'anonymous user'. This entry will allow you to access only public areas, and will not be able to move things, or name or delete files. Mostly the userID will be 'anonymous', and the password will be your eMail address in full. Your eMail address is unique, and so this is also security for you, and the ftp site.
If you have special access to a particular site you will be given a userID and a password, and this will give you greater access.
There are many archives available for downloading software, and these can be found by typing the search request 'ftp' into your favourite search engine.
PCAustralia has a major storehouse of almost every imaginable type of software including Demonstration releases, shareware, help files, electronic magazines, pictures, movies, and games. The items are not all housed on the one server but are scattered across the country.
A dedicated archie application will search all these databases, and then download your selected item.
Try typing the search request 'archie' into your favourite search engine.
