How to set up FTP Access

[Orisue]

Hi, just got my Miva Merchant site running fine, but would like to start using excel to import/export data.

I'm trying to export data however am clueless on how to access the ftp site...

I know its a noob question, but if someone can help me set up ftp, that'd be great...Do i have to use a 3rd party program, or is mozilla/internet explorer sufficient?

[d_host]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

You will need an FTP application. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It's just one of the many applications you use when accessing different things on the internet, ie: web browser for browsing the web, email app for accessing your email, ftp app for uploading/downloading files, IRC for internet chatrooms, news reader for usenet posting, RSS reader for reading RSS feeds, etc, etc, etc. While Internet Explorer "used to" have a very crude and rudimentary FTP capability, which remains in it to some extent, it's no substitute for a real FTP application. There's a plethora of them out there - thousands, quite literally, ranging from completely free to many commercial (pay-for) versions. If you don't want to spend any money, get at least one of the freebies, rather than try to make it work with Internet Explorer - which is a complete hack and lacks many of the most basic functions you will want to use.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

And funny enough...Remik (being a host) forgot to mention that if you need help setting up the FTP client, you need to talk with your host as they are the only ones who can. BTW: CUTE-FTP is a favorite amoung beginners.

[d_host]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

Whaaaaaa......?? :-) Sure, your host can help you by letting you know the proper settings you need to enter in your FTP client, but I don't think your host is "the only one who can" [set up your FTP client on your own PC]. :-) The FTP client runs on the client side - something the host really doesn't control and typically doesn't do remote desktop or VNC to set up for clients.

Just FYI - CuteFTP Pro is great on the Windows side, and that is indeed my personal preference as well. On the Mac side - forget it - CuteFTP is the most buggy and unpolished app I've ever seen, with just a sprinkle of features you get in the Windows version. On the Mac side, try Transmit, Yummy FTP, Forklift, Captain FTP, or any of the other native Mac OS X apps, rather than the very poor quality Windows port of CuteFTP.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

ok, let me rephrase that...If your host can't get you setup and running...run to another host...yea, its a client app...but IME, 99% of the issues with getting FTP working with Merchant has to do with the settings and directory locations...for which the host SHOULD be the best source of advice...oh, and as far as using a MAC...

[wcw]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

Don't forget, the host has to allow FTP access. There is at least one large host who does not.

[Orisue]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

Thanks for the quick response guys!

I got the FTP Program up and running...

I'm able to export the file fine, however, I am confused to how to re-upload it back into the system after i'm done editing it.

/data/local/mivadata/Merchant5/s01/export is where the file is found...
/data/local/mivadata/Merchant5/s01/upload is where the data is re-uploaded too...
However, when I upload it back into the system, nothing changes...Am I doing something wrong here?

[d_host]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

When you make changes to the file and want these changes to appear in the store, you need to "import" the file using the import function in Miva Merchant admin. Uploading the file itself to the server will not do anything - Miva Merchant won't be aware of it and won't import it for you automatically.

[Orisue]

Re: How to set up FTP Access

Yeah, the process which I use is
1) Retrieve the file using my FTP program
2) Edit the file with excel
3) Upload with MivaMerchant through Mozilla.

Now the area which I'm having trouble in is adjusting inventory count while editing the file with excel. When I go to upload it back to MivaMerchant, the files do not adjust. Is it possible to edit inventory count using excel?