TheSock's Command-Line FTP Guide, Version 1.0

All Windows computers have an FTP program built in. This is useful if you cannot afford a FTP application, you're at school or something and cannot install an FTP application, or you like to use command lines.

This method is actually easier than you might think. You only need to know a few commands in order to update your comic.

Remote file refers to files on the server (Keenspace). A remote file is like /workspace/comics/20040707.gif.

Local file refers to files on your computer. A remote file is like "C:\documents and settings\user\my documents\20040707.gif". The quotes are important, as Windows often uses file names that FTP doesn't accept without quotes.

This guide assumes you know how and where to put your comics for AutoKeen.

Basic Commands:

? [command-name]: Displays all commands. If command-name is sent, will return help for that command name.
open <ftp-site>: Opens a connection to an FTP site of your choosing; presumably yoursite.keenspace.com.
ls: List the current directory's contents.
lcd: Prints the current directory.
cd <remote-directory>: Changes the directory.
put <local-file-location> [remote-file-location]: Sends a file. Remote-file location is optional; use it if you want to change the name of the file while transfering and/or do not want to place it anywhere other than the current directory.
get <remote-file-location> [local-file-location]: Retreives a file to your working directory. Drop local-file-location if you don't want to rename your file and/or do not want to place it in any place other than your working directory.
pwd: Prints your working directory.
binary: Changes your transfer mode. Do not use this command unless you know what you are doing, I will tell you when to use it.
ASCII: Changes your transfer mode. Do not use this command unless you know what you are doing, as binary mode works for most files.
del <remote-file>: Deletes a remote file.
mkdir <dir-name>: Makes a remote directory.
close: Closes your connection.
bye: Closes FTP. Do not close the window without first using this command, as this is slightly buggy.

How-To Guide:

1. Open a command line. If you are using Windows XP/2000/2003/Longhorn, use Run> cmd.exe. If you are using anything else, use Run> command.com.
2. Type ftp and hit return.
3. Type open and your site name. (Example: middleamerica.keenspace.com)
4. Enter your user name and password.
5. Assuming you want to make a normal comic update, type cd workspace and then cd comics.
6. Type binary and hit return. This is important, otherwise your image will come out garbled.
6. Type put "c:\documents and settings\user\my documents\20040707.gif" and hit return. (Replace that with the correct comic name.)
7. If you have any HTML files you need to upload for the comic update, type ASCII and hit return; then put them.
8. If you have anything else you need to upload, follow the steps above, replacing the directory you need to use.
9. When you are done, type close.
10. Then type bye.
11. Close the window.