Can someone help a newbie with a ftp question?

I know this is going to sound like a really silly question, but here it goes. My website is currently hosted by the firm that developed it for me. I obtained the ftp password/user name. I found a ftp site online and was able to view the files for my website.

How can I update and upload the files if I make changes? Do I have to find an online ftp client? Also, if I make the change on the html page, do I have to upload any other pages (server script which is in perl) as well in order for the change to take place?

I am VERY new to all this and am not even sure if I will be able to make any big changes, but I was thinking more along the lines of small text changes for now.

If anyone could walk me through this process, I would so appreciate your help. Talk to me like I know nothing about ftp!

Thanks!

 

These guys would be the best to talk to about updating your website

 

They probably want to charge quite a bit for updates and would be easier if she could make the updates herself (my best guess).

But yes, you should probably talk to them and they could give you a better grasp on how to update it by yourself (unless they don't want that )

 

Mine too, but she's talking about upload perl scrips so probably some guidance is required. You don't need me to tell you about the pitfalls of newbies playing with cgi..

You need to get some ftp software have a look on twocows.com
I hear cute is quite good:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/195111
I use wft pro

Download the entire website to your computer and make a copy (backup) of it for safe keeping.

You should only need to edit the files for the pages that have the content you want to change.

Only upload the file(s) you edit.

If it all goes wrong upload the file(s) you edited from your backup.

Make your first updates during office hours when your web developers are available. If it goes wrong you can call them for help.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

My developer didn't offer me too much assistance regarding this except for providing the password/user name. I was just hoping to be able to make small changes to text, nothing big. It seemed simple enough and I wouldn't have to pay him for these types of updates. Do you think that would be too much to take on for someone not verse in perl script?

 

I would not advise editing any perl. It is unlikey that your content is hard coded into perl scripts.

I think it would pay for maybe an hour of his time to explain how to ftp, update your site