FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. According to Ziff Davis Network, "FTP software will allow you to put your personal home page up on the Web by transferring files from storage space on your hard drive to storage space on a Web server."

I believe this definition is too specific and limiting but it gets the general point across and touches on one of todays biggest FTP functions. To be more accurate, FTP, as the name suggests, refers to transferring files from a personal computer to a server or vice versa.

In order to accomplish this simple task, you need a basic software program. Most FTP software is free or shareware. Here are a few of the most common ones:

FTP Voyager (http://www.ftpvoyager.com/): I have recommended this program to my clients because it is really easy to set up and use on Windows 95/98. It features drag and drop and scheduled transfers as well.

CuteFTP (http://www.cuteftp.com/): This has been the FTP program of choice for Windows 95/98 for a long time. This is a stable program that is widely used.

Transmit (http://www.panic.com/): Finally, this one is just for you Mac users. When I found this program I was hooked from the start. This blows away any other FTP program that I have used because of it's ease of use and extensive well thought features, all out wrapped around an elegant interface.

There are many more FTP programs out there for download off of the many shareware/freeware Web sites. Hotfiles.com (http://www.hotfiles.com) or CNET Central (http://www.cnet.com) are two great places to start. Just do a search for FTP on their home page.

Now that you have the software, you are ready to go to work. As Ziff Davis mentioned in their definition, today, one of the most common uses for FTP is transferring files to and from Web sites.

Basically, the program establishes a link between your web server and your personal computer using your Internet connection. Once this link is established, most programs will have two, side by side windows. One shows files on your hard drive and the other shows your server. Now, you can just drag and drop files back and forth as needed.

Another use related to updating your web site is setting up a personal Web cam. With a little bit more software and a simple Web cam, you can use your FTP program to do scheduled updates, constantly uploading a fresh picture from the camera connected to your computer.

A third way to use FTP is one that I use with my clients all the time. Ever get those pesky emails with huge attachments that take forever to download? FTP is the way to solve that problem. Most Web servers or Internet Service providers will give you some FTP space so when you need to receive or share files with someone, they are placed on the server and then downloaded when needed.

Not only will this free up your email and speed transfer times, but technically, any file of around one megabyte or more runs a serious risk of corruption when being transferred through email attachments. FTP eliminates this risk.

As you become a more experience Web user, you will also find what are called FTP sites. These sites are dedicated to offering all types of files from software to music. They are notorious for offering free pirated versions of popular expensive software. This is illegal so be careful in these areas. Otherwise, you can find a wealth of free music, software and just about anything else you can imagine.