A Message From The Webmaster
WOW copies a web page called index.html with the "Under Construction" message to your web space on the WOW! web server. This index.html file must remain intact to allow access to your web page.

We assume you'll want to change the contents of this file so it looks like your new home page. When you save the updated file don't rename, move, change to upper case or delete the index.html in any way.

HOW TO MAKE WEB PAGES
Try these links below for excellent information on how to make html web pages.

Begginning HTML
Webmonkey
How To Make Your First Web Site
Learn HTML Quickly And Easily And Build Your Web Page 		http://www.andykillworth.co.uk/html/index.html
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/frontdoor/beginners.htm http://www.webdeveloper.com/html/beginners_html.html
http://html.about.com/library/beginning/bl_htmltutorial.htm



HOW TO POST FILES TO THE WEB SERVER

If you don't already have an File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program, you will need one to post graphics and HTML documents to the web server. This will allow you to change the existing "Under Construction" graphic currently posted on your web page.

Acquiring an FTP Program

For MAC users, we recommend Fetch and for PC users, we recommend WS_FTP (Win 3.1)or WS_FTP32 (Win 95/98/NT/2000). CuteFTP is another very good FTP shareware program and is available here. PC users needing a decompression program can get an evaluation copy of WinZip from our download page. MAC users needing a decompression program can get an evaluation copy of Stuffit Expander from our download page.

For a start, you can use the FTP software that is integrated into your HTML design program you are using. For example, the following popular programs have a Publish feature: Netscape Navigator Gold, HotDog Pro, DeltaPoint's QuickSite, Claris Home Page Maker, Microsoft Publisher 97 and Microsoft.

It is important to note that most FTP programs integrated with HTML design software will only upload documents for you. If you wish to rename or remove any files from your Web site, you will need either Fetch, WS_FTP, WS_FTP32 or CuteFTP Would you like to download one of these shareware programs? If the answer is Yes? Click here.


Setting Up and Using Your FTP Program

If you don't already have an FTP program, you will need one.

Assuming that you've installed the FTP program that is appropriate for your computer, simply enter in the FTP settings that were sent to you when your directory was created on WOW!'s server. In most FTP programs, you will only need to enter three pieces of information.

1) The FTP host name
2) Your username (also known as user ID)
3) Your FTP passwords.

Leave all other fields empty. If your FTP program has an option where you can specify the FTP host type, set it to automatic detect or to UNIX. Setting FTP host type to any other value can cause a number of minor problems.

For detailed instructions on how to set up and use
your FTP program, choose below:

Configuring WS_FTP Pro
Configuring Fetch
Configuring Microsoft FrontPage 98
Configuring Netscape Communicator




Configuring WS_FTP Pro



After launching WS_FTP Pro you are taken directly to the "Connection" window.
1. Highlight the "MySites" folder by clicking on it once.

2. In the file menu, click on "New Site.


Create New Site


At the "New Site" dialog box:
1. Write the name for your site and ENTER it in the white box (this name can be anything you choose. For instance, if you are connecting to a site on WOW! you could call this "WOW!".)

2. Enter your FTP Host Name or the IP address of the FTP server. The FTP address could look something like: ftp-www.WOW!.com or 216.143.237.12.)

3. Click on "Finish".


Complete the Connection


You are now back at the "Connection" dialog box.

1. Enter the e-mail Logon and Password provided to you by WOW. 

2. If you do not want to enter the password each time you log on to the FTP site, enable the "Save Password" option box by selecting it and click "save" to save the information you have just entered.   

3. To access the site you configured, click on "Connect" (you must be logged onto the Internet in order to make a successful connection)


Changing Directories


To change directories and navigate to your web files (homepage, images, etc.): Double click on the upwards arrow at the top of the Local System window to move up one directory level.


Navigating to Your Web Files


Double click on your web publisher directory to navigate to your web files.


Navigating to Your Web Files


Double click on "Html" to navigate to your web files.
(Please note: the path taken to your web files may vary from the provided example.)


Initiating an HTML File Transfer


To transfer a file that contains text (.html*, .txt):
1. Click once on a file to select it. (If you plan to transfer multiple files, hold down the "control" key  and click once on each file you wish to select.)

2. Click on the ASCII radio button.

3. Click once on the "->" arrow positioned between the Local System and Remote Site windows to begin transferring files from your computer to the Remote Site.   *(Images are not included in HTML files, they must be transferred separately. Continue tutorial for instruction on transferring images.)


Transferring HTML Files


After clicking on the "->" arrow beginning your transfer, you will see the "Transfer Status" dialog box appear. When the dialog box disappears, your transfer is complete.


Initiating an Image Transfer


To Transfer an Image (.GIF, .JPG, .PNG):
1. Click once on a file to select it. (If you plan to transfer multiple files, hold down the "control" key  and click once on each file).

2. Click on the "Binary" radio button.

3. Click once on the "->" arrow positioned between the Local System and Remote Site windows to begin transferring from your computer to the Remote Site.


Transferring Images


After clicking on the "->" arrow beginning your transfer, you will see the "Transfer Status" dialog box appear. When the dialog box disappears, your transfer is complete.


Your Transfer Is Complete



You will now see your files appear in the Remote Site window.
You have successfully transferred files!





Configuring Fetch


This is a walk-thru on how to use Fetch version 3.03 which you can download here. If you are using a different version, these instructions may slightly vary.

Setting up Fetch and Uploading Files

When you first open your Fetch program you will see a Session Profile window similar to the one below(depending on which version you are using):

2. Fill in all of the fields as shown above, replacing username with your e-mail username. In the Password field, enter your e-mail password. Do not fill in the Directory field. Leave that blank and it will default to the main directory called public_html.

3. Click on OK and this will connect you to your site(assuming you have entered all of the correct information). When you are connected to your site you will see a window similar to the one below:

You should now see a listing of your files and folders
contained within your Web site directory on our server.

3. If you have used this program before, then you may skip to step 5. Otherwise, if this is the first time using this program, then you will need to make sure that your upload preferences are set up properly. On the Fetch menu bar click on Customize and then select Preferences... from the pull down menu. Now you should see a window similar to the one below:

4. Click on the Upload tab so that you see the same selections as the above example. Set your Default text format to Text and your Default non-text format to Raw Data. And make sure that the Add .txt suffix to text files box is unchecked. When you are finished, click on the OK button.

5. To begin uploading a file, click on the Put File... button on the Fetch window. A window will appear that will prompt you for the file you wish to upload. Browse your hard drive until you find the file you wish to upload. Then click on the OK button. And you should see a window like the one below:

6. If you are uploading an HTML file, CGI script, or any other text file, you need to make sure the Format you select is Text. If you are uploading an image file, sound file, movie file, or any other binary file, make sure the Format you select is Raw Data. After selecting the proper format, click on the OK button and this will start the uploading of your file.

7. Once the file has been uploaded, you should see it listed with the rest of your files on the Fetch window.

Downloading Files

Downloading files from your Web site to your Hard Drive can be done by following these steps:

  1. Using Fetch, connect to your site.
  1. On the Fetch menu bar click on the Get button. A window will prompt you for the folder on your hard drive where you wish to save this file. Select a folder on your hard drive where you would like to save the selected file, and click on the OK button.

Deleting Files

Deleting files on your Web site can be done by following these steps:

  1. Using Fetch, connect to your site.
  1. On the Fetch window, you should see a listing of your files. Click on the file that you wish to delete. This should highlight the file.
  1. On the Fetch menu bar click on Remote and select Delete Directory or File... from the pull down menu.
  1. Click the OK button.

Renaming Files

Renaming files on your Web site can be done by following these steps:

  1. Using Fetch, connect to your site.
  1. On the Fetch window, you should see a listing of your files. Click on the file that you wish to rename. This should highlight the file.
  1. On the Fetch menu bar click on Remote and select Rename Directory or File... from the pull down menu.
  1. A window will open prompting you for a new file name. Type in the new file name and click on the OK button.


Configuring Microsoft FrontPage 98

WOW! does not support any Microsoft Frontpage extensions for 10MB, free member web sites. You may use Microsoft FrontPage as a web authoring tool and utilize the Publish FrontPage Web option to upload your FrontPage Web to our server, but server extensions and webbots will not work on your site.

1. In FrontPage Explorer, select File menu and Open FrontPage Web and choose the FrontPage Web you wish to publish.

2. Once the FrontPage Web you wish to publish to our server has already been opened in FrontPage Explorer, you'll need to select the File menu and choose Publish FrontPage Web to initiate the publishing process. You will be asked to indicate the location of which you wish to publish to , as shown in the following example below:

Figure 3a

"If this is your first time publishing files..." using your FrontPage Explorer, your dialog box will not indicate the URL of your member website nor the FTP server name ftp-www.WOW!.com as shown above. You will need to select the button More Webs ... to see the dialog below and enter the correct URL of your member website, then choose OK.

Figure 3b

If done correctly, you should see the correct settings as shown in Figure 3a above. Choose OK to continue and launch the Web Publishing Wizard.



Configuring Netscape Communicator


Below are the steps for finding and configuring the settings for Netscape Communicator. These instructions were designed for Netscape Communicator 4.0. They may or may not work for other versions.

You must have a registered copy in order to be
able to upload using Netscape Communicator.


Setting Up

  1. Select Preferences under Edit on the Netscape Communicator menubar.
  2. In the Category window, click Composer.
  3. Enter the name of the site author under the field Author Name (Optional).
  4. Put a check in the box next to Automatically save page... Then enter an appropriate value in minutes to the right (Optional).
  5. You should choose external editors for the HTML Source and Images. To do so, click the Choose button, and browse for the respective .exe files. Highlight the file, and click Open.
  6. Click the plus sign (+) next to Composer, and click Publishing. Make sure Maintain Links and Keep images with page are checked.
  7. In the Default publishing location section, fill in the following fields with the FTP information which was e-mailed to you.

Enter a FTP or HTTP site address to Publish to:

ftp://ftp-www.WOW!.com/~username

If publishing to a FTP site, enter the HTTP address to browse to:

http://ftp-www.WOW!.com/~username





where username is substituted for the name of your e-mail username.

  1. Click OK.

Publishing

  1. Follow the procedures under Setting Up.
  2. To publish a file through Netscape Communicator's Composer, click the Publish button on the Composition Toolbar. Fill in the following fields with the FTP information which was e-mailed to you.

    Page Title:

    (i.e., "My Web Page")

    HTML Filename:

    (i.e., "index.html")

    HTTP or FTP Location to publish to:

    ftp://ftp-www.WOW!.com/~username

    User name:

    Same as your e-mail username.

    Password:

    Same as your e-mail password.

  1. Click Save password, if you do not wish to have to enter your password everytime you publish a page.
  2. In Other files to include section, select Files associated with this page, if you only want to upload this file and files linked to it, or select All files in page's folder, if you want to upload all files in the same folder as this file.
  3. Click OK.


CGI Capabilities


Unfortunately custom CGI scripts are not allowed on the 10MB member Web sites.



File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Frequently Asked Questions


FTP is the only way customers have to transfer files to their Web site. This is accomplished by a stand-alone FTP program or an FTP feature of a Web design program.

What do I use for my FTP password?
Your FTP password is the same one you use as your login/e-mail password.

Are there any problems using the Publish feature?
Just like the newspaper, publish only sends (or puts) documents to the server. With the exception of FrontPage (on a FrontPage enabled site), these programs do not provide any of the other features of an FTP program. Publishing this will update existing files. If you need to RENAME or DELETE files from the server, you will need an FTP program.

Where can I get detailed instructions on using WS_FTP and WS_FTP32?
Detailed instructions for using WS_FTP and WS_FTP32 can be found on WOW!'s Web Site.

Where can I get a detailed instructions on using Fetch?
Detailed instructions for using Fetch can be found on WOW!'s Web Site.

After uploading, I cannot view the uploaded files in my browser. What could be the problem?
This could describe two (2) different situations.

If the you cannot see the home page, check if the home page file name is index.htm or index.html. If the home page is named differently, change the file name. It is also possible that there are two indexes on your site, one index.htm which the you created and uploaded and the other, index.html which WOW! put up for the temporary page. If two index files exist, then the one named index.html will take precedence. The index.html file should be removed (requires an FTP program) or rename your home page file to index.html and upload again.

If you do not see the updates made to your pages after transferring the updated versions, it is most likely the browser is reading the cache. For Netscape Navigator, clear both memory (Windows only) and disk cache then click the Reload button on the toolbar. For Microsoft's Internet Explorer, simply click the Refresh button on the toolbar.

Why don't I get a directory listing on my FTP program after I get connected?
You probably don't have your host type set to either Automatic detect or UNIX (standard).

After the files are uploaded, I do not see a directory listing in the FTP program. What could be the problem?
When this happens, the "LIST" command performed by the FTP software to get a listing of the files was not successful. Therefore the directory listing of the files did not transfer. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then connect again using his FTP program. If the problem still persists, please contact WOW! Web Support by sending e-mail to: .