If you have no luck finding Web sites to download material from, or you are looking for an alternative to downloading through your Web browser, you should consider exploring the possibilities of File Transfer Protocol.

Better known as FTP, File Transfer Protocol is a lesser-known feature of the Internet that enables you to transfer files and folders from a remote computer. A popular use of FTP servers is the swapping of songs and music videos. There are, however, many other practical uses. For example, software can be and usually is downloaded from an FTP server.

You can take advantage of FTP sites through a regular Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you know the name of the FTP server, type in "ftp://" and then the address. This is very similar to typing in a Web site name, which would begin with "http://".

Unless the FTP site allows anonymous users to log on, you might have trouble accessing the server from a browser. Also, even if you do gain entrance into a site, it is difficult to download files. Using a Web browser for downloading is burdensome and unnecessary.

A much better way of downloading FTP files is through separate programs designed solely for accessing FTP servers. There are many such FTP programs you can use for free.

If you have a copy the Center for Academic Computing's CACPAC compact disc, you can install a Windows FTP program called WS_FTP Limited Edition or a Macintosh FTP program called Fetch.

Just put in the CD and run it so the browser-like window appears. If you do not have the CD, visit the Web site http://ftp.cac.psu.edu/access/cd/. Either way, the instructions for installing the software are the same.

First, click on "Windows 95/98" if you are running a Windows PC or "Macintosh" if you have a Mac. Then, scroll down and click on "Utilities" on the bottom. For Windows PCs click on "WS_FTP Limited Edition" and for Macs click on "Fetch."

Once you do this, you can easily install either program on your computer. The tricky part for WS_FTP is convincing the program you have a legitimate use for the software.

When you first try to install the software, a survey will pop up. You must answer accurately, or else you will be denied permission to install the software. For the first question, click on "I am a student, faculty member, or staff member of an educational institution." For the second question, click on "School" and "For academic work." Other combinations of answers will also work, and if the program says, "You do not meet the requirements," just try answering the survey again with different answers.

Once you install and run the FTP program, you will notice many FTP servers listed under "Profile Name." For example, you can connect to servers for NASA, Microsoft, McAfee and LucasArts.

There are many FTP resources on the Web. A great place to familiarize yourself with FTP options is FTPplanet (www.ftpplanet.com). You can take a crash course there called FTP 101 and even learn how to better use WS_FTP. Not only is FTPplanet a great Web site, but it is also a great introductory FTP server. To access FTPplanet through your FTP program, first open up the program. Under profile name, type in "FTPplanet." Under "Host name/address," type in "ftp.FTPplanet.com". Under "User name," click on "anonymous."

You will find some great software on this FTP server, including Web browsers, MP3 players and file compression programs. Let's say you've heard great things about the Opera Internet browser and want to give it a try. Simply double-click on "Browsers" and double-click on "Opera 5." Double-click on the ".exe" file, and before you can blink, the software is already downloaded.

If you are confused or intimidated by WS_FTP or are looking for a simpler alternative, FTP Explorer is the program for you. This is my favorite beginner's FTP program for Windows.

FTP Explorer lacks some of the features of WS_FTP; however, it is really easy to use. This is because it has the same interface as Windows Explorer. You can open up an FTP server and drag the icons from the folder to your desktop, just like you can in Windows.

To download FTP Explorer, go to www.download.com and search for "FTP Explorer." Then click on "FTP Explorer 1.00.10." It should be the second link. You can then download and install the program.

If you like FTP Explorer and are ready to move on, download FTP Voyager, the next step up from FTP Explorer. It is a high-powered program and comparable to WS_FTP, but it is still relatively easy to use.

If you are still dissatisfied, there are other programs out there such as CuteFTP. I personally am not a fan of CuteFTP (or anything with the word "cute" in it), but it is a quite popular program.

These programs, as well as others, can be found on download.com. Be sure to check them out, and let me know how your FTP experience goes.

If you always wanted to create a Web site but couldn't figure out how, I'll show you some easy ways to do it in next week's column.