FTP on the Mac — how do you do that?
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a method to transfer files both down from… and up to… internet servers. (http, on the other hand, is designed only for pulling files ‘down’ to your computer). Find a more lengthy explanation on Wikipedia.
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On the Mac, it is easy to download items from an FTP site using just the built-in Finder tools (use ‘Connect to Server…’ under the ‘Go’ menu); BUT this method (currently) does not let users upload, which is something that MacOS fans have been asking Apple to change for years.
We have mixed feelings about this, because though it may seem like Apple is only providing ‘half’ the functionality we would expect, they are also providing an opening for third-party software designers to provide Apple’s customers with a variety of solutions — rather than just one.
To upload, you’re going to need to use some separate FTP client software. Here are a couple of favorites that are easy to install, easy to learn, and free:
Classic FTP for Mac
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/internet_utilities/classicftpformac.html
CyberDuck
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/internet_utilities/cyberduck.html
