File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Now that you have been using your e-mail for a while, you have probably received an attached file that you can't read in PINE. Most attached files are binary files, and PINE can't read binary files, so if you want to see the file, you are going to have to move, or transfer, it out of PINE to your general mason.gmu.edu account space (the remote computer) and then to either a floppy diskette (a:\ ) or to the hard drive (c:\ ) on the computer you are using (the local computer). Then you can read the binary file using the program it was created in (such as Microsoft Word for files with the extension .doc or Word Perfect for files with the extension .wpd). 

There are three basic steps you need to take to read an attached file: 

  1. Save the attached file to you mason.gmu.edu account space (outside of the Mail directory on your account in which PINE messages are stored).

    2.  
  2. Transfer the file from your mason.gmu.edu account to the computer you are using

    3.  
  3. Read the file using the appropriate program on the local computer (if the file ends with .doc use Microsoft Word...if the file ends in .wpd use Word Perfect). 

Step One -- Save the File to Your General mason.gmu.edu Account Space

If you receive an e-mail message with an attached file you need to take the following steps to save the file to your general mason.gmu.edu account space (outside the Mail directory PINE saves messages in), 
  • Use the View Attachment command (press V) to get to the Attachment Index.
  • Then use your arrow keys to highlight the attachment you want to see.
  • Next, use the Save command (press S) to save the file outside of PINE and to your general mason.gmu.edu account space.
  • If the file has a specific name, the computer will use that name, but the computer will ask you to give a name to the file if it doesn't have a specific name already, so type in a name (be sure to use the same extension noted in the attachement view if one was noted) and press the enter key.
  • Exit the Attachment Index in PINE by press the E key on your keyboard. 

Step Two -- FTP the File to Your Local Computer

Now you need to move, or transfer, the file to the local computer you are using. To do this, you need to use a program called FTP (File transfer Protocol). You can start the FTP program by going to the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen, choosing Programs, then Internet Programs, then FTP. 

Step Three -- Read the File Using Your Local Computer

Now start the appropriate program to read the file. For example, if the file, has a .doc extension, use Microsoft Word to open the file (if you are not sure what program a certain file extension relates to, click here for advice or use this page to search for the name or file type of a specific extension ). If you want to start Microsoft Word, go to the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen, choosing Programs, then Internet Programs, then Word. 

Now use the open a file command in Word (under the file menu) to open the file (remember where you saved it!) Now you will be reading the file! 

Last updated: November 2, 1999  10:32
Maintained by: Laurie Miller