GeoCities Page Creation FAQ

GeoCities Page Creation FAQ

2 Uploading Files

2.1 How do I FTP files to GeoCities?

To FTP something to your geocities page, you need an FTP program with upload capability. I highly reccomend for Windows, WS_FTP. It is an excellent, yet compact program. For Mac users, I have heard that Fetch 3.0 is good. Your FTP program also needs the capability to change the name of the file that is being uploaded so that its destination name is different from the name on your computer.

To upload a file, you must follow these steps:

  1. Log on to ftp.geocities.com with username: anonymous password: your email address
  2. Switch to the directory /pub/homestead
  3. Send all text files (including HTML and MAP) as ASCII for PC's or Text for Macs
    Send all non-text files (including GIF and WAV) as Binary for PC's or Raw Data for Macs
  4. Change the destination filename so it reads as follows:
    filename.extension.userid.password (eg index.html.jdoe.plate)

The files will not show up in the directory after they have been uploaded for security reasons. Depending on when you upload them (peak or non-peak hours), it may take between 10 minutes and 3 hours before the files are transferred into your directory. Check your disk usage to see when they arrive.

2.2 Common FTP Problems

Here are some of the most common problems when something will not upload. Check this list to see if you have forgotten one of these:

Check for the proper FTP procedures in question 2.1.

2.3 How do I change destination filenames in WS_FTP?

When you are uploading to GeoCities via FTP, you must rename your files. Check out question 2.5 to see what to name them.

In WS_FTP, the default setting is not to prompt you to change the destination filenames. To change this setting so that WS_FTP will prompt you to change the destination filename, click on the Options button. Then select Session Options and check the box for Prompt for destination filename. From now on, every time you upload a file, WS_FTP will prompt you for a destination filename.

2.4 What exactly is meant by filename.extension.userid.password?

When you are uploading files to GeoCities, you must change the destination filenames of your files so that GeoCities knows who the files belong to. In order to facilitate this, when uploading a file, you must upload with an extended file name. Here is an example: The original file was called index.htm, since this file came from a DOS system which only allows 3 character extensions. When I uploaded it, I completed the extension (html), and then added my GeoCities username (jsmith) and my GeoCities password (secret) to the file name, separated by periods.

Since my username is a part of the file name, the FTP server only has to look at the file name and then it will know what directory to put the file in. The password just ensures that it is really me and not someone else trying to upload to my directory.

2.5 Where do files go when I upload them?

When you upload files by FTP, they all go to the same directory, ftp.geocities.com/pub/homestead/. The directory they are all put into eventually is the same as your address (ie. http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/2993/).
2.6 Do I have to delete my old files before uploading new copies?

No. When you upload new files, they automatically over write the old files in your directory.
2.7 Why do I have to call the main file index.html?

You do not have to name the main file in your directory index.html. It is reccommended that you do this however, because index.html is the file that is loaded by default when someone goes into your directory but does not specify a specific file, such as in the neighbourhood directories. If someone was to open the link to your address, they would automatically get the file index.html.
2.8 What do I call my other HTML files?

When you are uploading HTML files, you can call them whatever you want. There are no specific names for your files. However, you should use the extension .html for all HTML files and not .htm because the FTP server will not recognize any files with the extension .htm and so they will not be transferred into your directory.

Your first file should be named index.html. See question 2.7 for the reason.

2.9 My picture doesn't appear. Why?

A very common occurrence is to come upon an email where a person is panicking because their picture has not shown up on their page. This is as likely to be a problem with the HTML code as it is an upload problem. If the graphic is in the directory, but won't load, then it is most likely an HTML problem.

Possible upload reasons include not signing onto the FTP server properly, not sending graphics files as Binary files, or not changing the destination filename. Check for proper FTP procedutes in question 2.1.

The most common HTML code problem that results in pictures not showing up is naming the source (SRC="") incorrectly. Contrary to most file naming conventions, on the Internet, capital letters verses small letters matters. In the case of a picture file, always type its name in small letters. Never in caps.

One other possibilty, is that there could have been an error during uploading. This may cause a picture to appear partially, to look "funny" in places, or to not just show up at all. Before hitting any panic buttons, consider trying to upload your picture again.

2.10 Why can't I get on ftp.geocities.com with my browser?

The GeoCities FTP server (ftp.geocities.com) is only meant for files to be uploaded to. There is nothing available for download on the GeoCities FTP server therefore it does not allow browsers on.
2.11 Can I rename files on GeoCities?

No. There is no direct way to rename your files. The only thing you can do is upload the file under the new filename and delete the old file.
2.12 What file types does GeoCities support?

GeoCities supports the following types: AIFF, AU, AVI, BMP, CLASS, CNF, GIF, GZ, HTML, JPG, MAP, MID, MOV, PDF, PS, SIT, TGZ, TXT, WAV, WRK, ZIP
2.13 What if my service provider does not allow FTP uploads?

Should you be stuck on an online service or a service provider that does not allow FTP uploads, you have two options:
  1. Email your page to someone outside of your service provider who can upload via FTP.
  2. If you intend to do a lot of uploading, switch to a different service provider.

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