New Media Workshop

On this page we will demonstrate how to upload files to your personal web space on the HKU web server using an add-on to the Firefox web browser called FireFTP.

Step 1: you can access FireFTP from the Tools menu. if the add-on is not already installed then click here for a tutorial showing you how to find and install it.

Step 2: clicking the link will bring up the FireFTP window (below). Initially you will see the folder structure of your local computer in the left panel. The right panel is for the file structure of the web server. it is blank because we have not connected yet. To make a connection simply click the box called “Create an account”.

Step 3: you will now see a pop-up window asking you for your account details. You need only complete the four form fields under the Main tab. Account Name is a description to identify the connection you are making; Host is the address of the web server and for your personal HKU web space it should be ftp://web.hku.hk Login and Password are those given to you by the HKU computer department when you registered as a student – mine are shown in this example. Press OK and then click the Connect button (next to where you clicked to create your account – see above).

Step 4: Now you are connected to the remote web server and the right panel is now showing the folders in your web space. The public_html folder contains the files that you want to be seen on the web so double-click the folder to open it.

Step 5: now the connection is established you need to navigate to your local folder which contains the files you want to upload. The public_html folder should already be open in the right panel (Step 4) so now you simply select a file and press the green arrow facing to the right (to the server panel) and the file will be uploaded. To upload muliple files and folders simply select them all (hold down the ctrl key as you click them) and upload them all together.

Step 6: that’s it. Now click the disconnect button and view your personal web space to see the new page.