This document applies to Fetch version 3.0.3.
Fetch is a program that allows a Macintosh to get files from the Internet. Using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Fetch can connect to any FTP site on the Internet and gain access to shareware, software updates, information, and other goodies. Fetch was written by Jim Matthews of Dartmouth College. It is licensed free of charge for use in educational and non-profit organizations. There is a charge if not used in these environments.
Fetch requires MacTCP and a network connection -- either a direct connection or a modem/PPP connection. [To find out more about a modem/PPP connection, see the document Getting Started with FreePPP, available at the Information Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk in Keller 105.] Here at the University of Hawaii (UH), you should be using at least System 6.0.8, although any version of System 7 would be preferable.
in the directory
download:
Locate the Fetch icon on your Macintosh. (If you have a folder called "Network Clients folder," double click that folder and then double click the Fetch folder). The icon looks like a puppy with a floppy disk, as shown:
Double click this icon to start Fetch.
After the program loads, you should see a window titled New Connection.
This screen can also be accessed by going to the File menu and selecting New Connection. At this point, you can either connect to an "anonymous" site or to a machine for which you have a login and password (e.g. uhunix).
Across the Internet, there are many "anonymous" FTP sites. Users can get files from these sites without having a specific account on the machines. To log into an anonymous FTP site, type in the name of the Host (e.g. ftp.hawaii.edu), anonymous as the User ID, and your email address as the Password (e.g. if your ITS username is jdoe, your password should be jdoe@hawaii.edu). Refer to the following example.
It's important that you input your email address as the password because software developers can send you updates or you could obtain software that is free of charge. By convention, you should blank out the directory if you're unfamiliar with the host site.
In some instances, you may want to transfer files between uhunix and your Macintosh (maybe you are making a home page). Unlike anonymous connections, you need to input your password.
In the Host box, you can type any of the uhunix machines, but it is recommended that you use uhunix 3, 4 , or 5. There are currently 5 uhunix machines:
uhunix.its.hawaii.edu
uhunix2.its.hawaii.edu
uhunix3.its.hawaii.edu
uhunix4.its.hawaii.edu
uhunix5.its.hawaii.edu
In the User ID box, type your ITS username. In the Password box, type your password. You should leave the Directory field blank since the login process will automatically take you into your directory. Refer to the example below.
If you need to make another FTP connection, simply start another session by going to the File menu and selecting New Connection. Although having more than one connection seems more productive, you will have to deal with slower transfer rates.
The following steps will show you how to view and download files using Fetch. In this example, our goal is to view a file list and then download an antivirus program.
- Log into the host ftp.hawaii.edu with anonymous as your User ID and use your email address as your Password. Upon login, you should see the following window:
- Change into the pub directory by double-clicking its folder. By convention, pub usually refers to public files.
- You will then notice a file called 0-index. Usually, these index files are helpful if this is your first time using this FTP site (Other sites have files like read.me, readme.1st, or readme.txt). You can view this file by clicking once on the file to select it, and then going to the Remote menu and selecting View File. Notice that another window has appeared showing you the contents of that file.
- Change into the mac directory by double-clicking the folder.
- Change into the info-mac directory by double-clicking the folder. Next, double click on the Anti-Virus folder.
- The target file to download is called disinfectant-371.hqx. Select the file by clicking once on it, then click on Get File. Notice the words Automatic, Text, and Binary listed on the bottom. Most of the time, you should leave it on Automatic, unless you know the file is some other format. For example, if you were downloading a program with a .bin or .sea extension, you would set it to Binary.
- Fetch will then prompt you to select a location to save the file. Pick the desired location and then click on Save. The file will now be transferred to your Macintosh. When you are done, close the ftp.hawaii.edu window to close the connection.
On some occasions, you may desire to transfer files from your Macintosh to uhunix. The following will demonstrate the steps needed to put the file welcome from a Macintosh to uhunix.
- Go to the File menu and select New Connection. Log into the Host uhunix5.its.hawaii.edu with your ITS username and password.
- You will then see your uhunix directory. Click on Put File to begin the transfer process.
- Fetch will then prompt you to locate the file on your Macintosh and its format. Locate the file and select Open. Our welcome file is a simple text file, so we will select Text as its format. If the file is a graphic, select Raw Data. If it's a program, select MacBinary II. Click on OK to begin the upload process. If you're not sure what format your file is, choose Raw Data. Notice that the uploaded file now appears on your uhunix directory.
As you become more accustomed to using Fetch, there are tasks in Fetch which you often perform. For example, you may find yourself going to the same FTP site regularly and having to enter the same login information to connect to a FTP site. Shortcuts in Fetch allow you to quickly log into your favorite FTP sites. In the following example, we will add a shortcut for quick access to ftp.hawaii.edu.
- Under Customize, select New Shortcut.
- A screen appears, titled Bookmark Editor. Type in the following information as depicted below. The password should be your email address. The Type field allows you to toggle between File and Folder. Leave it as Unknown. Click OK.
Note: For security purposes, if you plan to use uhunix as a shortcut, do not put your password. Instead, leave the password field blank and enter your password information upon login. When you use this kind of shortcut, Fetch will prompt you to input your password.
- You can access your shortcuts list by either of the following:
- Go to the File menu and select Open Shortcut.
- Go to the File menu and select New Connection. Click on the Shortcuts pop-up menu (the down arrow) and select a shortcut. Click OK.
If you select Connect to ftp.hawaii.edu from that shortcut list you will discover yourself instantly logged into ftp.hawaii.edu.
If you need to edit your Fetch Shortcuts list, go to the Window menu and select Fetch Shortcuts.
- To delete a shortcut, click on the shortcut you want to delete and press the delete key.
- To edit a shortcut, click on the shortcut and go to the Customize menu and select Edit Bookmark.
For more information about Fetch, go to the Windows menu and select Fetch Help. There is also an on-line tutorial located in the help. If you want to customize some of your Fetch settings (i.e. default password, default download folder), go to Customize and select Preferences.
For more help on Fetch, you can visit the ITS Help Desk in Keller 105, call 956-8883, or send electronic mail to help@hawaii.edu.
Problem | Try This |
---|---|
When I upload GIF or JPEG graphics for my web page, my web
browser cannot view them.
|
When uploading graphics, be sure to upload them as Raw
Data.
|
After uploading a file, I notice that not all of the information about the file is there. | Refresh the file list by going to the Directories menu and selecting Refresh File List. |
The files I downloaded don't have the correct icon. | Make sure you are using the right settings. If you tried the Automatic setting during the file transfer, try switching to Binary. |
I get an error of -35 after downloading a Macintosh archive. | Fetch has "Helper Applications" which allow it to process files. You
will need to install Stuffit Expander. You can obtain StuffIt Expander from:
host: ftp.hawaii.edu
|