FTP FAQ

• What is FTP anyway?
• Why do I need FTP?
• Why not just use E-mail to send files?
• OK, I need FTP, what's next?
• What about sending very large files?
• I'm having problems, who can I contact?
• Are there other ways to transfer files on the Internet?

FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol. On the Internet, everything you do is done through one protocol or another. If you are browsing Web pages, you are using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (that's what the http:// stands for at the beginning of every web address)

FTP is one of the few ways to transfer files on the Internet, and is the only way to put files directly on an Internet server. It makes the transfer of files of all types and sizes possible.

It may sound complicated, but with the tools and information we have provided on our site, you'll be FTPing in no time!

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Simply stated, it's the best way to send files over the Internet. Especially with new and faster ways to connect to the Internet emerging, the Internet becomes a very handy way to transfer files of all kinds, and in the digital printing age, it will become indispensable to both client and printer.

It saves time and money in the long run - no need to call a courier to send the files, no long lag time between completion of a file and our having it at our plant. For those tight deadlines - especially when elements are needed to be able to run film on a job, FTP can make all the difference in meeting your expectations.

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Good question! For small files, many times it is just fine. The problem with e-mail is that it relies on yet another protocol called post office protocol, or pop for short. The routing of mail while reliable, is not always "instant". In fact, it's not impossible for a letter with an attachment to take 4 hours or more to reach its destination - that isn't the norm, but it can and does happen.

The other problem is that most e-mail providers limit the size of attachments they allow on the server. The provider we use for e-mail attachments, AOL for example allows only 1mb file size, and refuses any letter that exceeds that limit.

FTP erases those two limitations. FTP is instant - the very minute you finish an upload to our site, we can begin the download. While there are reasonable limits to ftp file size, the limits don't extend to much or most of what you would send us. It can be difficult to send a single 50mb file over the Internet unless you have a fast reliable connection, but if you can send it, we can receive it. And once we get a server in house, even those limits will be erased. See the section below on large files for more information

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We have written pages that will get you started on the way to being a FTP expert before you know it. We walk you through every step required to get you going.

Macintosh Platform Page
Tools and techniques for FTP the Mac way.

Windows Platform Page
Your source for the FTP tools we recommend, and just exactly how to use them.

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Large files (10mb and up, but especially over 50mb) can pose problems. The main problem is that the file must transfer uninterrupted for a long time. An upload of this size, depending on your connection speed can take several hours - and remember if you have a 56k modem, the fastest you can upload is 33.8kbs. Even with high speed connectivity like DSL, the downstream speeds are significantly higher than the upstream speeds. If there is any interruption in your connection or on the part of your service provider, the upload will time-out. When that happens, the only thing you can do is start the upload again.

There are some things you can do to help the process. You can compress the files, in some cases that will make the file significantly smaller, but with certain file types, like some image files, compressing doesn't help the size at all.

There are ways to break the files into smaller parts that can then be joined back together, but unless both parties have the software, it is not a viable solution. If you are running the windows platform, there is a program called winRAR that works very well for this purpose.

Suffice it to say that unless you have a solid reliable to connection, transferring large files can sometimes be a problem.

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We have several people on staff that can help. Since all files are downloaded in our Preflight department, it is best to ask for them when you call.

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Actually there are several other ways to send files over the Internet, including E-mail. And one important thing to keep in mind is that we can download files from your ftp space, if you have one.

Other ways exist today. Telnet is one way to accomplish this, but because of security reasons, it isn't a good idea for any company to do a lot of telnet activity. There is a program for the PC called DropChute that is a very good solution for direct PC to PC file transfers over the Internet.

As the Internet continues to grow in size and purpose, there will inevitably be other solutions for the transfer of files, but for the time being, FTP continues to be the very best way to do it.

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