Anyone can submit files to public areas of our FTP site at any time by logging on as an Anonymous User. However, if you would prefer to establish a private directory on our site (one only you and we can access), we can set up a Registered User account for you. Simply e-mail this request for private access to ftpaccess@merrickind.com — you will receive a response within 24 hours. (More details of both Anonymous and Registered access are explained in relation to the specific methods discussed.)

Step-by-step instructions are included for using three of the most popular FTP methods: Command-Line FTP, Netscape and Fetch (Microsoft Internet Explorer does not support uploading to FTP on either PC or Macintosh). Other software for FTP should work in a manner similar to one of these — but if you need assistance in using a package not listed here, simply contact Jason Greenwell at (502) 584-6258, ext. 178.

IMPORTANT: Due to the high volume of file traffic on our FTP site, it is essential that you contact us each time you submit files. This prevents unnecessary delays and confusion in processing your order.

For all FTP methods: before sending any files...

1. Complete a PostScript Output form

Your sales rep will provide you with these forms, or if you prefer you can download an electronic version (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format) from the Pre-Flight page on our website at http://www.merrickind.com. The electronic version requires Acrobat Reader 3.0 (which is downloadable from Adobe on the internet), and you can even fill out this form onscreen, then print it — regardless of whether you are using a Mac or a PC-based system. The form tells us important details about the file or files you are sending us, and what we need to do with them.

2. Run sample lasers of your main file(s)

This is important so we can verify that what we receive is correct. Both these lasers and the output form will need to be faxed or sent to us when you submit files. You may need to run them at a reduced size to work on a fax machine — if so, please write on the lasers what percentage they are.

3. Gather and compress your files

You will need to send all the files required to output your job — including fonts and linked art. You will also need access to some sort of compression archive software, such as PKZip (or WinZip) for PC, or StuffIt (or DropStuff) for Macintosh. This will allow you to combine the files into one compressed “archive” file. The compression will not only speed the uploading process and make it simpler (as there will be one “archive” file instead of many individual files), but will also help preserve the integrity of the data during transmission over the internet.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition to filling in the indicated blanks on the output form with the names of the main files, in the Special Instructions area please list the name of the “archive” (compressed) file you are sending, so we can identify it from among the other files on our site.

TECHNICAL NOTE FOR MACINTOSH USERS: If you have ever downloaded Macintosh OS files from an FTP site, you’ve probably noticed the most common manner in which these files are presented is the “sea.hqx” form. The “sea.hqx” file is created using a two-stage process. The “sea” (self-expanding archive) is created first. This archive file is then coded into BinHex (“hqx”) format. (Both of these compression/coding options are available in StuffIt Deluxe — and if you are using Fetch, BinHex coding is available during the transmission process.) This mode of compression is popular because it compensates for a major difference in the way Mac and PC systems treat files.Macintosh OS files are divided into two “sections” of data: a “resource fork” and a “data fork.” The resource fork contains information about the creator and type of a file. This is why the Macintosh “knows” what kind of file a document is without needing a three-character name extension. The PC, in contrast, uses only a data fork, and does not recognize or record the resource fork of a Macintosh file, as it will determine the resource information from the three-character name extension. This can cause problems if you are sending a Macintosh file to a company that uses a PC-based internet server. Even though the files will transfer with intact data forks, they will lose their resource forks once they have been written to a PC file system — unless you use BinHex. BinHex coding protects the resource fork so when the file is decoded on a Macintosh, the resource fork will be intact — even if the file has been written to a PC server before moving to Macintosh.

Using Command-Line FTP for PC

Command-Line FTP is a method of accessing an FTP site using a series of typed commands within a standard DOS command window. This feature is available by default on most PCs with internet access capabilities and software. Interacting with an FTP site using this command-line approach can initially seem a little more complicated than using a menu-driven program such as the next two discussed. But if you pay close attention to what the DOS-style prompts are asking you for, it is fairly easy to master.

Command-Line FTP: Accessing Public Folders as an Anonymous User

1. Open a DOS Command Prompt window

If you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT, MS DOS Command prompt should be an option in your Start menu, under the Programs submenu. If not, choose Run... under your Start menu, then type the word “command” and press return.In Windows 3.1, the MS DOS Command prompt may be in one of your program groups in Program Manager. If not, you can choose Run... under the File menu within Program Manager, then type the word “command” and press return.

2. Go to the directory where file to be transmitted is located

Use DOS commands as necessary to locate and enter the appropriate directory. It is easiest if you start the FTP interaction when already in the directory where your file is located, because it saves you from having to enter a long DOS pathname when uploading the file.

3. Type “ftp” and press return to begin the FTP program

From here to the end, each time you type the appropriate command and press return, you will get not only a prompt, but sometimes a series of informational messages before that prompt. Try not to let the messages confuse you; most are informational only — it is the prompt itself which is actually “asking” you for a response.

4. Type “open ftp.merrickind.com” and press return

You will get a message asking who the User is.

5. Type “anonymous” and press return

You will get a message explaining anonymous login, then a prompt for a Password.

6. Type in your e-mail address and press return

You will get a greeting message letting you know you have logged in.

7. Type “bin” and press return

You are at the root directory of our FTP site.

8. Type “cd public” and press return

This takes you to the root of the public directory.

9. Type “dir” and press return to get a list of sub-directories on this level

Do this to see if you already have a directory on our site (which you might, if you have sent us files this way in the past). If there is no directory belonging to you, you will need to make one.

10. To make a new directory (if you don’t already have one)

Type “mkdir” followed by a space and the name of the directory, then press return.

11. To enter the directory you’ve made (or one that’s already there, if you found one in step 9)

Type “cd” followed by a space and the name of the directory, then press return.

12. Type “put” followed by a space and the name of the file you are sending, then press return

This will upload your file. If you did not go to the directory where your file is located before beginning this process (as explained in step 2), you would need to type the full pathname of the file instead of just the filename.

13. Type “dir” to get a list of items in your directory, then press return

This will let you confirm your file transmitted: it should now be listed.

14.Type “close” then press return; type “quit” then press return

This will log you off our site, then quit the command-line FTP program.

15. Fax or send your completed PostScript Output form and sample lasers

Make sure to send them to the attention of your sales rep or a member of his or her sales team.

Command-Line FTP: Accessing Private Folders as a Registered User

If you wish, you can arrange with us to have a private directory on our FTP site that only you and we can access. If you do this, we will make a directory for you in our private folder, and assign you a user ID and a password so you can gain access to it. To obtain a private directory, send an e-mail request to ftpaccess@merrickind.com — you will get a response within 24 hours.

1. Open a DOS Command Prompt window

If you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT, MS DOS Command prompt should be an option in your Start menu, under the Programs submenu. If not, choose Run... under your Start menu, then type the word “command” and press return.In Windows 3.1, the MS DOS Command prompt may be in one of your program groups in Program Manager. If not, you can choose Run... under the File menu within Program Manager, then type the word “command” and press return.

2. Go to the directory where file to be transmitted is located

Use DOS commands as necessary to locate and enter the appropriate directory. It is easiest if you start the FTP interaction when already in the directory where your file is located, because it saves you from having to enter a long DOS pathname when uploading the file.

3. Type “ftp” and press return to begin the FTP program

From here to the end, each time you type the appropriate command and press return, you will get not only a prompt, but sometimes a series of informational messages before that prompt. Try not to let the messages confuse you; most are informational only — it is the prompt itself which is actually “asking” you for a response.

4. Type “open ftp.merrickind.com” and press return

You will get a message asking who the User is.

5. Type the User ID we have assigned to you and press return

You will get a prompt for a Password.

6. Type the password we have assigned to you and press return

You will get a greeting message letting you know you have logged in.

7. Type “bin” and press return

You are at the root directory of our FTP site.

8. Type “cd private” and press return

This takes you to the root of the private directory.

9. Type “cd” followed by a space and the name of the private directory we have set up for you

If you can’t remember exactly how this directory’s name is spelled, type “dir” and return to get a list of the sub-directories within the private folder.

10. Type “put” followed by a space and the name of the file you are sending, then press return.

This will upload your file. If you did not go to the directory where your file is located before beginning this process (as explained in step 2), you would need to type the full pathname of the file instead of just the filename.

11. Type “dir” to get a list of items in your directory, then press return

This will let you confirm your file transmitted: it should now be listed.

12. Type “close” then press return; type “quit” then press return

This will log you off our site, then quit the command-line FTP program.13. Fax or send your completed PostScript Output form and sample lasersMake sure to send them to the attention of your sales rep or a member of his or her sales team.

Using Netscape (versions 2.x, 3.x and 4.x)
for Macintosh or PC

Netscape: Accessing Public Folders as an Anonymous User

1. Set your Netscape Preferences

The screen captures above show the Preferences windows from Netscape 4 (Communicator) whose settings you will need to check and/or change before you will be able to access our FTP site as an anonymous user. Versions 2 and 3 of Netscape have similar preference windows. There are basically two things you need to check: 1) that your name and e-mail address are available so Netscape will be able to use your e-mail address as a password; and 2) Netscape has been told to use your e-mail address as an anonymous FTP password.

2. Access our FTP site at ftp://ftp.merrickind.com

Type the URL listed above in the “Location:” box and press return.

3. Click on the directory called public

You may see a list of directories made for or by other clients. Netscape is not able to create directories (many other interfaces — usually those dedicated to FTP ONLY — are). However, if you would like us to create a public directory for you, contact us. If we have created a directory for you, simply click on that directory to access it.

4. Select Upload file under the File menu

You will then be prompted to locate the file you wish to upload (the compressed “archive” file you created before beginning this process).NOTE: if your operating system supports Drag and Drop, you can also drag the archive file from your desktop onto the browser window to upload the file.

5. Check to be sure your file transmitted

If necessary, click on the Reload button to update the directory. Your file should then show up.

6. Fax or send your completed PostScript Output form and sample lasers

Make sure to send them to the attention of your sales rep or a member of his or her sales team.

Netscape: Accessing Private Folders as a Registered User

Unfortunately, since our FTP site allows anonymous logins, Netscape will by default log onto the site as an anonymous user instead of offering you the opportunity to log on as a registered user. If you need to log on as a registered user we recommend using either Command-Line FTP or Fetch instead of Netscape, as either will offer you an easy method of private access.

Using Fetch 3.x for Macintosh
(included with Apple Internet Connection Kit)

Fetch: Accessing Public Folders as an Anonymous User

1. Open a connection to Merrick’s FTP site

In the appropriate blanks of a New Connection window, type in the URL (ftp.merrickind.com), the User ID (anonymous), and your e-mail address as a password. Click on OK to connect to our site.

2. Click on the Binary button

It may default to Automatic or Text at first, so select Binary.

3. Double click on the public folder

You may see a number of files and directories others have created or uploaded.

4. Create a new directory for your files

Under the Directory menu, select Create a New Directory..., then type in a name for the directory (preferably your company name, or some other name which will make it easy for us to identify whose files are in that directory).

5. Double click on the directory you’ve created to access it

6. Click on Put File... to begin the upload process

You will be prompted to locate your file.

7. Choose the appropriate transmission format

If you have already used BinHex on the archive file...

Select Text as the format.

If you have NOT already used BinHex on the archive file...

Select BinHex as the format.

(notice that when you select BinHex, the .hqx extension is automatically added by Fetch to the destination filename).

8. Confirm that your file transmitted

Once the file transmits, you should be able to see it on the site within the directory you created.

9. Fax or send your completed PostScript Output form and sample lasers

Make sure to send them to the attention of your sales rep or a member of his or her sales team.

Fetch: Accessing Private Folders as a Registered User

If you wish, you can arrange with us to have a private directory on our FTP site that only you and we can access. If you do this, we will make a directory for you in our private folder, and assign you a user ID and a password so you can gain access to it. To obtain a private directory, send an e-mail request to ftpaccess@merrickind.com — you will get a response within 24 hours.

1. Open a connection to Merrick’s FTP site

In the appropriate blanks of a New Connection window, type in the URL (ftp.merrickind.com), the User ID (the ID we’ve assigned to you), and your password (also assigned by us upon setting up your directory). Click on OK to connect to our site.

2. Click on the Binary button

It may default to Automatic or Text at first, so select Binary.

3. Double click on the private folder

You may see a number of directories, but your private directory we set up is the only one your login ID and password will allow you to access.

4. Double click on your private directory within this folder

5. Click on Put File... to begin the upload process

You will be prompted to locate your file.

6. Choose the appropriate transmission format

If you have already used BinHex on the archive file...

Select Text as the format.

If you have NOT already used BinHex on the archive file...

Select BinHex as the format.

(Notice that when you select BinHex, the .hqx extension is automatically added by Fetch to the destination filename.)

7. Confirm that your file transmitted

Once the file transmits, you should be able to see it on the site within your private directory.

8. Fax or send your completed PostScript Output form and sample lasers

Make sure to send them to the attention of your sales rep or a member of his or her sales team.

This page was last updated: December 08, 2001