Copyright: Copyright © Save-It Software 1997


About this Help file

This Help file was written in Anguilla, British West Indies, by RK Publications.  Should you be interested in improving the clarity, usefulness, and syntax of your program’s documentation, send e-mail to: ubob@anguillanet.com


Connecting to an FTP Server

First visit to a server

Using ByteCatcher’s fine address book is the easiest way to re-visit a server you have visited before, saving all re-typing of addresses.  But, the first time you visit a server to transfer files, you must type the address.  You do not need to type in “ftp://”, just use the form “ftp.” (Don’t forget the dot) before the server name.  If you know the complete path to the file you want, and the file name, use it  For the normal way of reaching public servers, using the anonymous login and your e-mail as the password, click the “Quick” button.  “Normal” is the route to go if a password is required.

Locating the file you want

If you do not know the full path to the file you want, you can browse the server’s files which are shown in the lower right pane.  Files designed for downloading are most often in the “/pub” directory, which then has sub-directories for, say, “windows/” or “games” or the like.

Of course, if this is not your first trip to ftp.download.com or the Microsoft FTP server, all you have to do is use the Address Book.  Click the “View” button under the “Address Book” caption, locate the server you want, and click.

Tips on finding FTP addresses

Sometimes, a review will refer you to the full FTP address of a server, and the exact name of a file.  If you don’t have specific information, but you do know the name of the company operating the web site, try entering “ftp.companyname.com”.  It often works.  Or, when viewing a web site with your browser, when files are listed for downloading, such as the latest upgrade to a driver, pass your cursor over the line offering the file (usually says “download” or the like).  Then, look at the status bar at the bottom of the browser window; quite often you will see the name of an FTP server and the full file path. If this works, right click on the link, copy it to the clipboard and then, in ByteCatcher, click Quick connect,and when the window opens, right click and paste in the address opening.

Search engines such as AltaVista (http://www.altavista.digital.com) or Yahoo

(http://www.yahoo.com)or Excite (http://www.excite.com) or all the rest of the websearchers will help you search for and locate files by name on FTP servers.  Better yet, if looking for files, try a specialized searcher: http://www.filez.com. They claim to have over 75 million files indexed, which should suffice.


Contents

Welcome to ByteCatcher

The Menu Bar and the Controls

Connecting to an FTP Server

Downloading

Using Batch Mode to Download from HTTP and FTP Servers

The Address Book features

Setup options in detail

Uploading files

Technical Help

About this Help file


Downloading

Selecting a directory for the file

When you download a file, you must select a destination on your computer. Some users like to download upgrade files to the Windows desktop.  Others like to make a number of sub-folders in the directory where they store files by type (“Utilities”, “Games”, or such).  How you do this is a matter of taste, but if you pay for your Internet connect time, save money by creating the sub-directory before you log on.

The ByteCatcher drag and drop operation is standard Windows.  Select the file or files on the server, hold down the left mouse button, drag to the left pane, release the mouse button when the cursor is over your desired sub-directory (Windows now calls directories “Folders”, obviously a major technical advance).

Downloading multiple files

ByteCatcher allows you to select several files at once for downloading, or if you wish, allows you to select all the files in a server sub-directory (on the Menu Bar, “Copy/Select all files).  If you have one download stopped from one site, and then start and stop a different

 download from another site, ByteCatcher will allow you to resume both downloads to completion, a handy trick.

Resuming interrupted downloads — the Great ByteCatcher Advantage

You can stop a download whenever you wish — just click the stop button.  When a download has been interrupted (or voluntarily stopped by you) ByteCatcher lets you resume exactly where you left off.  This saves you much time in repeated downloads from scratch, thus losing all previous time and effort.  Resumption is simplicity itself.  If you are connected to the Internet, just click the button labeled “Download” under the heading “Resume last Download or Upload” in the lower right panel.  Resumption is automatic.  You can resume several different partial downloads by selecting them in the Address Book, and clicking the “Continue Download” button on the right.

Will resuming always work?

Unfortunately, some Microsoft FTP servers (version 1-3) do not support the command to resume downloading.  The fault, Dear User, is not in ByteCatcher.


Setup options in detail

Clicking “options” on the “View” menu item brings you to the Setup window, with quite a few choices.  The first, “General Settings”, tab starts with giving you a choice to set sound signals on or off (default is on, because they are helpful). In the next section on this tab, you can check or uncheck “Force computer to shutdown after all downloading complete.”  You may be surprised if you concede this power; caution is advised. Then, in the next section, you can select “Show hidden files”if you are interested in such things, or select “Save downloads to address book” (highly recommended), and last, “Overwrite all uploads” if you are uploading and updating files. The settings next are for the Batch Mode setup. You can enter a default directory to save you being prompted for a path everytime you wish to download a file.

The next tab "Connection Settings" allows you to instruct ByteCatcher whether to reconnect automatically if disconnected by your kindly ISP.  Then, you can set the delay before ByteCatcher tries to reconnect to the Internet.  The units in this small window are NOT seconds, and 36000 units stands for 10 minutes.  Also, in the second small window, you can tell ByteCatcher how long to wait to try reconnecting to the FTP server after reconnection to the Internet.  Give ByteCatcher a reasonable time after the attempt at reconnecting, say the 50 second default.

Note for Windows NT users: make sure the Remote Access settings (in the Options/Redial settings menu) are checked to allow redial on link failure.

The last tab “FTP Settings” begins with a check box for “Use Passive mode”, which is checked by default.  No use getting aggressive here, Passive is recommended.   This is followed by a window for the port number to connect to at the server (21 is the default).  “Proxy server” settings are not surprisingly for those with a Proxy Server who fill in the host address.  It is best to consult the administrator if filling this out.  Last is Socks4 Firewall settings, where the same advice is even more appropriate.


Technical Help

The Save-It Web site is at http://www.Save-It.com where news about upgrades and advice can be had.  If all else fails, registered users may e-mail to Steve@Save-It.com, who also will be delighted to hear your comments, suggestions, and praise.


The Address Book features

This version of ByteCatcher has a much improved Address Book.  By default, all download addresses will be saved to the Address Book.  Or if you go to the “View” menu item, select “Options, and check “Save downloads to the address book.”  With a saved location, returning is as simple as clicking the Address Book button and selecting the server.

In the Address Book, you can assign “Friendly” names, or nicknames, to each address.  To add a new address without visiting the server, click “View” for the Address Book, and click the “New Entry” button.  To delete an entry, select it and click “Delete Entry.”


The Menu Bar and the Controls

About the Menu's

Bytecatcher Pro actually changes the menu and toolbar depending on what download mode you are using. The "Display Mode" menu actually lets you select the FTP Bytecatcher program or the Batch part of Bytecatcher that lets you schedule and download from both HTTP and FTP servers.

The control buttons

On the lower right panel of ByteCatcher you see several buttons.  You can log onto the Internet by using “Quick” or “Normal” connection.  When you use “Quick” you are automatically logging on as “Anonymous”, and using your e-mail address as your password.  This is the normal way of getting connected to a server that is open to the public to distribute programs, drivers, updates, and all the rest. The  “Normal” button is used when you need to give a username and a password.  Yet, you will note that under the “Normal” procedure, you can still log in as “anonymous”.  Hmm.  Also, be sure to leave the box checked to save downloads to address book: it is a great convenience.

On the lower left panel, you see a file tree.  Clicking on this tree in the normal way expands the branches. [Note: the menu item to add new sub-folders is called “Copy”, sub-item “Make Directory”.]

Passing your mouse cursor along the top button bar will give you pop-up identifications for the buttons, which as usual are quick ways of getting to the menu.

The Menu Bar

On the Menu Bar, “File” allows you to Quick Connect or Normal Connect, just as the buttons do.  When you are connected to a server “Disconnect” does just that. “Exit” leaves ByteCatcher but does not hang up your Internet connection, so remember to hang up if you are through.

The “View” item lets you hide the bars, go to the download log, or access the setup options, explained below (also reached by clicking the “Setup” button on the Button Bar).  Incidentally. The Download log is the technical text that appears in the upper panel of the ByteCatcher screen when it is downloading.

The “Display Mode” item lets you select the way in which the remote files are displayed. The Advanced view allows for more options. "Batch View" allows you to download files from HTTP servers as well as FTP servers.

The “Copy” item is mostly for manipulating the files on your computer by deleting, making directories (folders) and so on, but two items give you another way to start downloading (or uploading) selected files.

“Mode” on the menu bar allows you to select Binary or ASCII (text) transfers.  Ordinarily, leave Binary checked unless you have a special need.

The “Help” item is self-explanatory, and will get you to this splendid Help file, as well as telling you how to register, and, under “About” giving you the Save-It web address and your own name as an upstanding registered user.


Uploading files

In these days of danger from viruses, you will normally need permission and a password to upload files (“Normal” logon button to enter passwords).  ByteCatcher works just as well to handle file uploads as downloads.  Select the web pages or other files you are uploading, and drag and drop to the Server.  Special note: In this version, ByteCatcher even has the ability to resume interrupted uploads, just as it handles downloads.


Using Batch Mode to Download from HTTP and FTP Servers

Selecting batch mode

To select batch mode simply go to the "Display" menu and select "Batch View". This will change the program from FTP mode to the Batch mode.

Downloading files

To download files have Bytecatcher Pro running in batch mode. Then find the files you are after using Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer to browse the Internet. Once you have found a link to a file you wish to download simply drag that link to the Bytecatcher Pro list of downloads. Or even easier, just right mouse click on the link in the web browser and if using Netscape, select "Copy Link Location" from the pop-up menu. If using Microsoft Internet Explorer select "Copy Shortcut" from the pop-up menu. Bytecatcher Pro will then prompt you for a directory to save the file. You can also manually type in an address of a download by selecting "Add URL" from the "Add Job" menu.

Batch mode setup options

Batch mode has three different modes you may select from the "Download Mode" menu. It also allows you to setup a Timer.

"Download one at a time" causes files to be downloaded one after the other in the order they appear in the file list.

"Download all files at once" causes files to be downloaded as soon as they are entered into the file list.

"Batch Downloads" causes files to appear in the list of downloads. You then need to change the mode to one of the previously mentioned download settings. Then hit the "Go" toolbar icon to start downloading the batched files.

"Set Timer" allows you to set a timer for Bytecatcher to dial the Internet and download files. You must have the computer and modem turned on.

Scheduling files

So basically the idea for scheduled downloads is to select "Batch Downloads" and then go off and find the files you wish to download. Once you have all the files you wish to download in the list, go to the "Set Timer" option. Make sure you select the Dial-Up connection you use to connect to the Internet from the "Select ISP" button. Then enter the time you wish to schedule the downloads for. So if it is now 1.00  in the afternoon and you wish to download files at 3.00 the next morning you would enter 3 00 am in the dialog. Also select whether you wish all files to be downloaded at the same time or one after the other. It's also handy to check the "Shut down computer when finished". Make sure the "Active" button is depressed and your all ready. When you OK the dialog the clock on the Bytecatcher toobar should be green to indicate that you are all ready to download scheduled files.

You can also setup the batch mode so that it doesn't prompt you for a path each time you add a file to the list. Go to the "View/Options" menu. From there enter a path for your default directory and check the "Don't prompt for download path" option.


Welcome to ByteCatcher

Welcome to ByteCatcher™.  You have made the right choice, and you now have a compact, simple, and intuitive utility that will (1) speed up all your file downloads and (2) save hours of frustration from those dropped connections when getting files.

A word to the experts

If you are an expert computer user, you know the advantages of using FTP downloads to get  all those monster new versions, updates and fixes, not to mention fine shareware programs like this.  You will find ByteCatcher highly intuitive to use.  Just start your ISP connection (as an expert you know that ISP means “Internet Service Provider, your connection to the Net), click on the ByteCatcher icon, click on the “Quick” button, enter the FTP address you want, and go. When you locate the file you want, drag and drop to the folder (subdirectory) you wish on your powerful computer.  And, here is the ByteCatcher advantage: if the download is interrupted by an ISP disconnect, a Net disconnect, or if things are just progressing slowly and you want to postpone finishing the download until later, just stop the download and you can resume when you wish.  Congratulations on your expertise.  Non-experts: you can do this too, but perhaps you should glance through this Help file.

What is FTP?

FTP is one of those indispensable computerspeak abbreviations, and stands for “File Transfer Protocol.”  It is a method of transferring files (either programs, data, graphics, or whatever) from a server to your computer, the client, or vice-versa.  FTP transfers are, usually, faster and smoother than the transfers of files you get using your web browser, and the FTP servers are often less busy.  Try it, you’ll like it.

Why do I need ByteCatcher?  Resuming interrupted downloads

The Internet has seized the imagination of the world; everybody is on line.  As a result, you know what is happening: servers are busy, the Net is crowded, and you wait hours to download the latest five million byte upgrade and bug fix for your favorite program.  Then, somewhere in the four millionth byte, after paying for an hour of time on the Net, you get disconnected for one reason or another.  Time to start over.

With ByteCatcher you get a simple and smart interface to help you get your files by FTP, including an address book and sharp tools for file manipulation.  But the greatest feature is this: with most servers, if your transfer is interrupted for any reason (maybe you are going out to dinner and stop for a couple of hours) with ByteCatcher you can resume exactly where you left off. Not a byte is lost and the file will be seamless when you finish downloading.

True, modern browsers such as Netscape™ will let you reach FTP servers, but they don’t have the ByteCatcher resume features, or the special Address Book, or all the rest.

One minute Quick Start: Downloading a file with ByteCatcher

Perhaps you have read a recommendation in a computer magazine, so you know the name of the file you want and the FTP server where it is located.   You are a minute away from starting the download.  Follow these steps:

(1) Start your ISP connection.  (Best, although you can use ByteCatcher to go to your ISP.)

(2) Open ByteCatcher by clicking on the ByteCatcher icon.

(3) Click on the “Quick” Button under the “Log onto Internet” caption.

(4) Fill out the name of the FTP server you want and the full file path.  Start with “ftp.” (That is ftp and a period), you don’t need to use “ftp://”.  Example:

“ftp.download.com/pub/windows/games/doom ...”  You get the idea.

(5) When you find the file by clicking and browsing the server’s files (or, if you knew the file path and name, when ByteCatcher went directly to the file), then go to the left pane, open the folder (directory) where you want to put the file, and drag-and-drop the file name from the right side pane  to the left pane and drop it at your selected folder.  Downloading will begin.

(6) If there is any interruption in the download, fear not.  Just click on the button “Download” under the caption “Continue last download or upload”.  Done.

(7) Don’t forget to disconnect from the server (in ByteCatcher menu, File/Disconnect), and if you are through with the ISP connection, hang up and save time charges.

Zipped or other compressed files

Note: As you know, many programs and other files are transferred in “Zipped” (compressed) form, or better yet, as self-extracting zipped files.  If the file name ends in “.zip” you have to unzip with your handy unzip utility.  If it ends in “.exe” you only need to click on the file to have it expand itself and (if a program) get ready for installation.  Some upgrades, like Microsoft’s, are now arriving as self-installing programs — just click and Bill Gates does all the work.

Registration and morality

ByteCatcher is sold as shareware, so you can try before you buy.  This is convenient for you, saves expenses by dispensing with all that packaging, and cuts out the middleperson.  So it is cheap, but it is not free.  If you like the program, and you will, be sure to register and pay.  To keep shareware prices low,  users must do the right thing: Register, pay up, and smile at yourself in the mirror.  Click on Help/Register on the menu, visit the web site at http://www.save-it.com or read the register.txt file that’s right there in the ByteCatcher folder (directory).  Thanks!