Re: FN-FORUM: FTP connections

date posted 17th January 2006 17:21

On 17 Jan 2006 17:40:02 -0000, "Robert Keight" said:
> Query regarding FTP connections over the internet: I'm increasingly
> having
> to download repro files from FTP sites rather than being supplied a disc
> or
> ISDN. It is often the case that any given site will connect ok through
> Safari on a Mac but not on a PC with IE, and vice versa (with many other
> combinations inbetween). This means that significant time is wasted
> trying
> various combinations of platform and browser to try and get a transfer
> going. Sometimes the link has a username and password built into it
> (referred to by customer as browser optimised), other times this has to
> be
> entered manually. In any case the whole process is very temperamental and
> starting to become a proper hassle.
>
> I wonder if anyone can clarify for me the difference between connecting
> through a web browser or using an FTP client?; and what key questions to
> consider when trying to connect? My limited understanding is that FTP
> should
> be cross platform like web, but this is certainly not the case judging by
> recent experience.
>
> Example:>>>
> Trying to download from a Hermstedt Stingray FTS server, using a URL.
>
> Failed:
> OS X - Firefox, error message reads something like "won't open"
> OS X - Safari, error message reads something like "cannot open..."
> Windows XP - IE6, eror message similar to those above
> Windows XP - Smart FTP, error message similar to those above
>
> Succeeded:
> Windows 2000 - IE, connection and download worked ok.
>
> Has anyone got any advice for troubleshooting FTP issues?

It would really be better to use an FTP program, like FlashFXP for
Windows or Transmit or Cyberduck for OS X (Cyberduck is free, Transmit
is a bit better, interface-wise. Transmit and FlashFXP cost a little
money, but well worth it in time saved in hassle.)

The normal problem I hit is different passive modes on different servers
- some of my clients have passive mode 'on' on their servers, others
have it 'off' and sometimes something in their setup stops my FTP
program realising that passive mode is set incorrectly. If the passive
setting isn't obvious, it's usually in the 'advanced' settings for a
site, I have no idea how a web browser would set it.

Glad to hear the publishing industry is finally growing up and moving
away from bloody ISDN, which used to be a right pain when I was sending
files to publishers.

Cheers

Paul
--
Paul Silver - Web Development and Technical Search Engine Optimisation
07813 654285 -- http://www.paulsilver.co.uk
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