There's another trend in scripts that has negative implications. More and more pages are using more and more of them. Collectively they can slow download speeds, even on high speed connections. Each script must be processed by host server. And this can slow things down during times of peak demand on server.

There is no point to using a script you can possibly do without. Certainly none you feel compelled to use can be allowed to crash a download. This amounts to throwing visitors away. Can you really afford to do so?

Permissions:

Read - 4 - r Write - 2 - w Execute - 1 - x None - 0 - -

- Read permissions are enabled with number 4 or letter r.

- Write permissions are enabled with number 2 or letter w.

- Execute permissions are enabled with number 1 or letter x.

- No permissions are enabled with number 0 or a dash.

Each of these permissions will be set for each of following:

Owner Group Other

To give you a better idea of how permissions are set, below is an example of a script that requires permissions to be set to 755 -- it breaks down like this:

7 - Represents permissions for Owner (you). The owner has been given Read, Write and Execute permissions. 4+2+1=7. This can also be written like this: rwx

5 - Represents permissions for Group (individuals with access to your server). The Group has been given Read and Execute permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be written like this: rx

5 - Represents permissions for Others (website visitors). The Others have been given Read and Execute permissions. 4+1=5. This can also be written like this: rx

755 is equal to rwxrxrx

Changing File Permissions with Your FTP program:

If you would like to set your file permissions through your FTP program, you can do so like this:

1. Log into your server and locate directory that contains your file. 2. Highlight file that you would like to change permissions. 3. Place your mouse pointer over file and right click to launch a menu. 4. Click on "chmod (UNIX) to launch "permissions" window. 5. Set your permissions and click on OK.

In addition to setting permissions with your FTP program, most web hosts will enable you to set permissions through your web page management system.

If you're managing your own website, having a good FTP program is an absolute must. Not only will it provide you with some independence, but it will also enable you to have complete control over your files.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2002.