Land Boundary Information System
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FTP Instructions
FTP Instructions
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Why use FTP?
Downloading from the web browser is convenient for obtaining a file or two. But if
you have many files to download, the web browser can be cumbersome.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software is designed specifically for uploading and
downloading files. FTP programs vary
widely in their features, from easy, simple programs
to more complex ones with fancy features, but may be too complicated for the
beginner. As with other
computer programs, be sure you choose an FTP program that fits your needs.
Below are links to two excellent sites that offer FTP software and provide
feedback on software
features and popularity.
Any of the programs earning "5 cows" or
marked "popular" should work reliably and be easier to use.
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- Install FTP software
Download and install FTP software. (See instructions at left.)
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Determine the target FTP address.
The target FTP address is the string of characters and/or numbers that point to the information
on the internet that you want to download. The easiest way to find this is to pretend you are
downloading from the LABINS website in the normal manner and
note the final address that appears in your web browser.
For example, if you
want to download 3-meter DOQQs for Alachua county, start clicking your way through the
LABINS web site until
you are as far as you can go and are ready to start downloading individual files. Note that the
web address at the top of the page is
ftp://146.201.97.137/DOQQ/1995/albers/3meter/c01/. This is
your target FTP address. Leave the web browser open for future access to this address.
Host name/address: 146.201.97.137
Target FTP address: 146.201.97.137/doqq_1995/1995/albers/3meter/c01/
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Start the FTP software and type in the "host" name/address.
The LABINS "host" name/address is 146.201.97.137. (See above.)
Additional Settings:
Host type: Automatic detect (or use the default)
User name: anonymous
Password: (leave blank or type email address)
Note: If you see a blank screen when the FTP connection is first established, use the FTP software's
"change directory" command
to open the first folder (you must type the name of the folder).
Once the first folder is opened, the other folders will
become visible and you will be able to move around the site by clicking with the mouse.
When the FTP connection has been established with the LABINS server,
continue opening folders until you reach the target
destination. For example, open folder "Doqq_1995"; then "1995";
"albers", then "3meter"; and finally "c01".
- Begin Downloading
When you have reached your target FTP destination, you can begin downloading files. Be sure to
download the "world" files (.hdr, .tfw,
.jgw, etc.) in ASCII (or "text") mode and the images (.tif, .jpg) in binary mode.
Hint:
If your FTP software allows it, sort the files by "type." Download the "world" files
first (this should not take long); then start downloading
the image files (this could take a long time). By downloading the world files first, you don't
have to log on a second time to obtain them if the larger files cause your connection
to time out.
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