Gah!! Help needed from web geek types...

[jazbug5]

Sorry chaps;

Been trying all morning to figure out how to edit a site for someone. Have done some studies (a while ago) in HTML/Dreamweaver, and have Dreamweaver on my Mac, which is running OSX 10.3...

Anyway, my enfeebled brain does not recollect whether or not it is possible to download a site via an FTP server, and if so.. how?
The sites I did when learning were relatively simple, and I just uploaded them from my 'puter.

In this scenario, the original files are not available, and all I have is the site address and a password. I've downloaded Rumpus, but that's as far as I've got.

How does this FTP sever thingy work in terms of uploading/downloading sites? I used to use another one that was more easier for thick people like what I am to use... it had a running dog icon.. 'Fetch' or something..?
All I'm finding online are these 'Miracle! How to edit your site... live!' packages, which look to me like bad news if you don't want someone getting onto your site unbidden and scrawling 'knickers!' all over it.

*pounding forehead gently against wall*

[MSTRS:Me]

ah sorry - I can't even figure out how to quote 2 peeps in a single reply

[jazbug5]

Me either... but I gots an idea...

ah sorry - I can't even figure out how to quote 2 peeps in a single reply

Anyway, my enfeebled brain does not recollect whether or not it is possible to download a site via an FTP server, and if so.. how?
The sites I did when learning were relatively simple, and I just uploaded them from my 'puter.

What I've done is pre-copied some text from my message, then clicked the quote on your message, then used the HTML 'quote boxes' again, substituting my name for yours for the second lot, and pasted my text into them. I'm sure there's an easier way, though...

Now, lets see if this works

[MSTRS:Me]

That worked. Me - I'm still trying to figure out how to turn off the indicators....

[John]

Me either... but I gots an idea...





What I've done is pre-copied some text from my message, then clicked the quote on your message, then used the HTML 'quote boxes' again, substituting my name for yours for the second lot, and pasted my text into them. I'm sure there's an easier way, though...

Now, lets see if this works

Sorry I dont realy understand what you mean but, if the site files are on the remote ftp, just log into it and copy all the files and paste them in a folder on your desktop, then you can edit or whatever, then you can upload them by dragging all the files into the remote ftp and voila updated?

Is this what you mean or something else?..

[jazbug5]

That's sounding familiar.

It's just that I'm not sure how to get to the stage where I can see the site on the FTP server...

Do I need an address to access it via the server it's hosted on or something? As I said: all I actually have is the name of the website and a password. I think I may require something more- i.e. an FTP address type thing so I can access it?

oh, and the bit you weren't sure about referred to MSTRS's wish to quote more than one person in a post!

[jazbug5]

Won't someone hayulp me....?

[NordieBoy]

Do I need an address to access it via the server it's hosted on or something? As I said: all I actually have is the name of the website and a password. I think I may require something more- i.e. an FTP address type thing so I can access it?

If the site name is "http://www.websitename.co.nz" then go to "ftp://websitename.co.nz" and try from there.

Let's see how that goes...

[jazbug5]

Thanks Nordie Boy!

Okay, so I typed the ftp address in in place of the http address in the top of the browser. It then showed me what looked like a directory of the site, but I couldn't really seem to do much with it (like drag and drop files...).
So, I spoke to a mate last night who knows a passing amount and he reckons the host company needs to send me copies of the files or authorise me to access them somehow. Should I just go and get The Idiot's Guide To Websites? Or do they do a special 'Cretin' version....?T

[Ixion]

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about MAC's. From a Windows or Unix system you can connect with command line ftp by entering

C:> ftp hostname
[enter name and password at prompt]
get filename [to download]
put filename [to upload]

Very simple. But i don't think that MACs have a command line

Usually for ftp you need a proper ftp client (either the built in command line one, or a Windows program) , doing it through the browser is a "kludge". Do you have any programs that are called anything like [blah]ftp ?

If you saw file names in the directory listing (as opposed to only folder names) try right clicking and select "save as" (though has horrible thought that MACs dont have right mouse button ?). Double click maybe ?

Can you download a proper MAC ftp client from somewhere - then it will be MACyy point and click and drag and drop ?

Any MAC users out there ?

[Ixion]

Go here

get Captain FTP fro MAC OSX. Install, and it's all a drag n droppy world

Licence is free for personal use.

[jazbug5]

I'm going there straight away.
Ixion, I do believe you're a not-so-minor deity.
Cheers!

(Also got a book out the library, so might just get this sorted now... huzzah...!)

[Big Dave]

go to xtra or ihug or any of the major isp's sites and they have detailed step by steps instructions.

when you copy the files to be updated off the server MAKE A BACKUP COPY before you start messing with them or reload them.

good luck