I have set up an FTP server on a Mac running OS X Server 10.4.11. It works fine with other Macs that connect to it using FTP programs such as Fetch. Connecting to it using Windows seems not to work as well and I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to configure it so Windows users can easily connect to it and upload and download files.
Usually, when I ask someone who uses Windows how they connect to an FTP site they say they use Internet Explorer to do so, rather than a dedicated FTP program like Fetch. So I am trying to make this work for someone using IE as their FTP program. I find that when I try to access the server in IE by typing "ftp://servername"; into the URL window I get an "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" message. When I type the address in as "ftp://[EMAIL PROTECTED]" I get better results: IE (I'm using IE 7) at lest displays the folder's file directory and gives the instructions, "To view this FTP site in Windows Explorer, click Page, and then click Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer." If I follow those instructions, another program called "Windows Explorer" (not to be confused with "Internet Explorer," though it looks very like it) opens up, a cute little flashlight appears that searches every digital nook and cranny for the server. Eventually an error message box pops up that says, "Windows cannot access this folder" etc. However, this program (Windows Explorer) has a dropdown File menu with an option to "Login As...". I find that if I choose that option and then enter the correct username and password I now have full access to the FTP server, which accomplishes my purpose, but geez that seems like a long way around to get to something that should be simple. I'm hoping someone out there will have enough experience FTPing in Windows and/or setting up FTP sites on Macs that they can tell me how to set things up to simplify things for the Windows' user. BTW, my Windows examples are from using Windows XP via Parallels Desktop, if that makes and difference. Dan _______________________________________________ The next Louisville Computer Society meeting will be January 22 at MacAuthority, 128 Breckinridge Lane. Posting address: [email protected] Information: http://www.math.louisville.edu/mailman/listinfo/macgroup
