FTP Anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a favorite of mine. It has its roots in the Unix operating system. FTP is used to move files between computers. As the Net evolved, individuals developed a variety of ways to store, retrieve, and distribute information. Some caught on big. Anonymous FTP is among the winners. How does Anonymous FTP work? Stored at anonymous FTP sites are software applications, graphics, e-text, and all manner of information files. Now if you know (or at least suspect) that a site will have the information your looking for go (i.e., ftp) there and get it. For example let's say you want a fairy tale. Let us ftp to the archives at: The University of Maryland (ftp://info.umd.edu/ReadingRoom/Fiction/FairyTales/) Once in, browse around till you find a file of interest, then read it, download it, whatever you wish. Don't hesitate to explore. Do click 'Up to higher level directory.' By now you have figured out why these sites are called "anonymous." You do not need an account for access. If you don't know the location of the file of interest use one of the specialized Web based search engines such as Lycos ftpsearch. You might also want to checkout Archiplex. An exercise for students: Use ftp searches to find a picture of a tiger. You distance folks, send a copy of the graphic to the class via the mailing list. Include the URL (anonymous ftp site) where you found the graphic. Remember no attachments. What, you don't know how to send a graphics file in an e-mail message except as an attachment? Sounds like a Net search task to me. An exercise for students: Let us not forget our quest for chili. Fat free chili this time. You distance folks post the recipe to our class mailing list. Include the anonymous ftp URL.

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