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FTP Settings
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If you transfer your files using the wrong mode setting they may end up with errors when the transfer completes.
Depending on the FTP program you are using, the software may try to use the most appropriate mode based on the contents of the files. Conversely, it may be necessary for you to adjust your FTP settings to specify the transfer mode manually.
ASCII Mode
Certain files are normally sent in ASCII mode including HTML (and variants like HTM, SHTML, DHTML, etc.) JavaScript, ASP, TXT, C, CGI, etc.
Basically, if you can use a text editor to view in a file you should use ASCII mode when transferring it to your web site.
Binary Mode
On the other hand, Binary Mode is for transferring all other file types - graphics, compiled programs, and media files. It's a very straightforward matter to adjust your FTP settings and then leave them set.
To use your FTP program, first connect to your host's web server and go to the folder where you want to upload your files. Then find the local files on your computer that you wish to upload. It's possible to upload individual files as well as entire directories.
You are free to name most of your web pages whatever you wish, but each directory contains a special file. It is normally named "index.html" or similar, e.g. "index.shtml", "index.htm", et. al.). Your home page will be identified by this file name but your home page can be viewed by typing either http://mywebsite.com or http://www.mywebsite.com/index.html.
Security Warning
In the first case, if there is no file named index.htm the contents of your root directory will be shown. If each directory doesn't have an index file all the files in that directory will be visible to anyone browsing the directory. In addition to creating a security exposure, you also run the risk of making private information available to the public.
