comparc@twwells.uucp (comp.archives) (12/26/88)
I received a bit of e-mail asking about ftp. Since I wasn't able to
reply and the question might be of general interest, I thought I'd
post it. Here is the best answer I could come up with, given that I
don't know anything other than general information about ftp.
Feel free to correct any mistake I might have made, or to add any
information that you think might be useful.
: Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "anonymous ftp"?
"Ftp" stands for "File Transfer Protocol". This is a protocol for
networks that use TCP/IP. The most famous such network is the
Internet. "Ftp" is also the name of a program which is vaguely like
the UNIX tip and cu programs. The ftp program lets you transmit files
using the ftp protocol. The gotcha is that you have to be on the same
internet. Note the lower case "i" in internet, the Internet is the
name for the major network; "an internet" is another name for a
network that uses TCP/IP.
When someone says that "X is available for anonymous ftp", they mean
that if you are on the Internet, you can use the ftp program to get
the file from their system. The "anonymous" part refers to the fact
that you don't have to identify yourself to the system you are trying
to ftp from.
As to the mechanics of ftping, don't ask me; I'm not on the internet
so I don't have any experience with it.
You want to know if you are on the Internet? Ask your system
administrator.
---
Bill
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