The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) can be used to access systems that you would
otherwise not be able to access. FTP is also a great way to share files, but you
need an FTP server. To access an FTP site, you must use an FTP client such as
WS_FTP, although later versions of Internet Explorer and other Web browsers
provide support for FTP. Just type in the name of the FTP site. Figure 18.47
shows Internet Explorer accessing ftp.microsoft.com.
Even though you can use aWeb browser, all FTP sites require you to log on.
Web browsers know only the most common method, using the user name
“anonymous” and then your e-mail address for a password. Called an anonymous
logon, this works fine for most public FTP sites. However, if you need to
access a site that requires a special user name and password, third-party programs
are preferable, because they store these settings. This enables you to access
the FTP site more easily later. Figure shows my personal favorite FTP
application,WS_FTP.
