TurboFTP is an FTP client program with an Explorer-like interface. Within just a few minutes this tutorial will teach you know how to use this program. You will be able to browse remote directories, download or upload files easily with drag and drop operations.

• TurboFTP 's Main Window

• Connecting to an FTP Site

• Download/Upload Files with TurboFTP (next page)

TurboFTP 's Main Window

The main TurboFTP window is divided vertically into three frames. The upper frame is the Log Window, which displays dialog between TurboFTP and the FTP server, as well as current status indicators.

The middle frame is divided horizontally into two panes, the Local Browser Pane and the Remote Browser Pane. They display the current local directory and the current remote directory listings side by side interactively.

The Queue Window is across the bottom of the main window where it maintains a list of items to be transferred and shows the source file name and its path, the destination file name and path and the remote host address.

Connecting to an FTP Site

FTP Connection Wizard
FTP'ing will pose no difficulties even if you know nothing of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or have never used it. The step-by-step guidance of the Connection Wizard [Connect|Connection Wizard] will help you make a connection to an FTP server. Press F1 any time you want more information describing each step.

Address Bar

The Address Bar offers the easiest way to connect to a new FTP server. Simply supply the server's address, your login and password and port number (FTP default port is 21) then press Enter (on the keyboard) or click the Go button, and the connection attempt launches. If the login and password fields are left empty, an anonymous login is assumed.

Standard FTP URL format is recognized and automatically parsed when pasted in the address box:
ftp://[user ID:password@]<host name>[:port]/[path name/]

Previously visited sites can be accessed via the drop-down list of the Address Bar.

Quick Connect
Click the Quick Connect button on the Toolbar or use menu [Connect | Quick Connect] to bring up the Quick Connect dialog box. Enter the basic login info for your account on an FTP server in the General tab. If necessary, customize your settings on the Advanced and Security tab. Click the Connect button to connect to the FTP server.

FTP Site Address Book
The FTP Site Address Book (use tool bar button or use menu [Connect|Address Book]) is recommend to store contact information for servers that are accessed frequently. Create a new site profile in the Address Book and provide the necessary details to access the FTP server. The Address Book maintains your favorite sites with a tree view (i.e. you can organize them within folders you define). You can even drag and drop to reposition a site or a folder.

Tips: Configure TurboFTP to open the Quick Connect dialog or the Address Book automatically each time it starts. Go to [Options|General|Start With] to make the selection.

Recently Visited Sites
Press the Reconnect button on the toolbar to view the list of recently visited sites: from the drop-down menu you can select any recently visited site to which you want to reconnect.

The Connect menu also maintains a list of recently visited servers.

Fig. Connect to a recently visited site with one click

Tips: You can specify number of recently visited sites in [Options | Advanced].

Continue to Part II

Related articles:
Web site Update and Management with TurboFTP
Scheduled File Transfer with TurboFTP
Auto Reconnect and Stall Protection
TurboFTP Advanced Features