This guide covers how to use WinSCP to submit a file to your Pitt storage space. You're free to use another FTP client of your own, if you choose to (for example, feel free to use Dreamweaver to help you upload your site).
First, launch WinSCP. It should be in the "Start, Programs, WinSCP" folder by default if you're using Windows. A dialog box should pop up with fields asking for the host name, user name, etc. Fill out the following fields:
| Field: | What to Type: |
|---|---|
| Host | unixs.cis.pitt.edu |
| Username | Your Pitt account username1) |
| Password | Your Pitt account password2) |
| File protocol | Be sure to select, "SFTP" |
And then click "Login". If you'd like, you can save these settings (by clicking "Save" before you click "Login") so that next time you wish to submit a file(s) you can restore those settings. If a windows firewall warning pops up, allow the program access to the Internet.
Make sure WinSCP didn't print out any type of warning or error. If not, you should be connected. On the right hand side you'll a listing of files on the remote server (the Pitt file servers). On the right hand side (which shows the files/folders on the remote server), browse to the "public" folder. Then, browse to the "html" folder (create one if it does not exist).
Optional: create a new folder inside the "public/html" folder. For example, you may want to make a "cs134" subdirectory.
Now, browse to your homework file or files stored on your own computer. To the left of the remote site listing is the local site listing (aka your own computer's directories). Just browse through your computer to find your own homework's folder and files.
Once you've found the file or directory you want to submit then click and drag them from the local site file listing into the remote file listing. If a message pops up asking whether you'd really like to copy the file there, click the option to do so. It may take a few seconds for the transfer to complete. After it's done, you should see what you just submitted appear in the remote file listing. Make sure no error boxes popped up. The original file is still on your own computer. Congratulations! You just put those files online.
You should be able to see the files by going to the proper URL. Let's say you put a file called "pancakes_on_rabbits.html" in the "funtimes" directory. Let's also say that your Pitt username is "rym4". You should be able to see your file at: http://www.pitt.edu/~rym4/cs134/pancakes_on_rabbits.html
Although you can see which files have been submitted so far, no one can download, view the contents of, or delete any files that are in the listing. So, you don't have to worry about someone copying or deleting your submission.
When the files are submitted, the time of their submission is also stored as a time stamp. This time stamp cannot be altered and lets me know whether you submitted your homework on time or not.