A9: Electronic File Transfer Using Fetch
A. INTRODUCTION
Internet is the "home" of millions upon millions
of non-WWW accessible files-- but only if you have the correct
sort of software required to "fetch" these files. Some
of these files are simple text, others are applications. Files
can be sent back-and-forth on Internet with the use of such FTP
(file transfer protocols) as "Fetch." The strategy of
using "Chooser" to retrieve files, is not useful for
computers not on your network, or on your network but using a
UNIX operating system. This project will instruct you in the use
of Fetch to obtain files from that part of the Internet that is
not part of your immediate network, and are not readily available
via the WWW.
NOTE: You will need an account on the Physics Department's
computer Entropy before you can perform this exercise, and complete
the associated exercises marked by an asterisk (*) in the PHY
302 course syllabus. See your course instructor to have an account
set up on Entropy.
B. PROCEDURE
- Read all about Fetch in Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh
by Adam C. Engst (pp 307 - 311).
- Using a departmental computer, use the Apple menu to launch
Fetch. When the "New Connection..." window opens, select
ftp.info.apple.com as your host (from "shortcuts" if
necessary). Leave login name, password, and directory blank.
Hit the OK button. Fetch will take you to the program archive
at the Apple Information Services.
- Double-click on Apple_Support_Area to see the many useful
files you have access to.
- You can download any file found in the archive by merely
selecting it with your mouse, and then clicking on "Get
File." The file will be transferred to your desktop. Nothing
could be easier.
- Note that you can also upload files using the "Put File"
command. Unless you have an account on the computer you have
accessed, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to upload
any file.
- You will ultimately use Fetch to upload your personal web
page to Entropy. To gain access to your WWW folder on Entropy,
use Fetch. Logon to entropy.phy.ilstu.edu using your usual logon
name and password. You will need an account on the Physics Department's
computer Entropy before you can perform this aspect of the exercise.
- Note that you can also use Netscape Communicator and Internet
Explorer to ftp sites. Try to access Apple Information Services
using one of these we browsers and the URL: ftp://ftp.info.apple.com.
By merely clicking on an application such as you would a hyperlink,
the requested file is transported to your computer. You cannot
upload files using this technique.
C. EVALUATION
Arrange a 5-minute demonstration interview with your PHY 302
course instructor to show that you can use Fetch to both get and
put files on Entropy.
Return to PHY 302 Syllabus
COURSE CONTENT Section