Access Your Web Storage Space Using SFTP

Hi folks -- I have some good news -- there's a new way for you to access your Web storage space (also known as your Hometown or FTP space), where you can keep the files that you display in your Journal.

Typically, this means images, like photos and animated gifs and such, but it also includes any type of files, like sound clips, music files, and even video files -- anything, subject to file size limits (you have an overall storage space limit of 100 megabytes per screen name).

Before, there were three ways for you to upload and manage the files in your storage space -- two required you also use the AOL software, and the third was our Web-based File Manager, which has a file size upload limit of 500K per file (which isn't big enough for most movie or music files).

The Hometown folks have done some work that now makes a fourth way possible:

Use a separate, standalone FTP program that supports SFTP (the SSH Secure File Transfer Protocol)

An FTP program (or client) is specifically designed for you to upload, download and manipulate files in your Web storage space. (They're especially useful if you need to work with multiple files.)

You can already use a regular FTP client with your Web space, but you have to run it together with your AOL client software (here is how you do that). This is because the standalone FTP client "piggybacks" on your AOL connection for security.

With SFTP (remember, the "S" is for "Secure"), the client doesn't have to piggyback and can run by itself.

Now, you will just need to use an FTP client that supports SFTP, and sign-in using your screen name and password.

You can check the shareware and freeware download sites for FTP programs that support SFTP; here is Wikipedia's list of SFTP programs; some of the free, open-source programs include:

For Windows: FileZilla, also WinSCP
For Mac OSX: CyberDuck

After you download, install and launch the SFTP client, you will need to fill in the correct info so you can connect to your Web storage space:

For host or server name, put members.aol.com
For User, type your Screen Name
For Password, type your Password
Finally, make sure you have SFTP selected

This is what the FileZilla connection screen looks like (other programs will look different):

Filezilla Connection Screen

Now that we have SFTP, this means there are now four ways you can access your Web storage space:

AOL Software: If you're using the AOL client software, you can just go to Keyword: FTP.
Pros: No file size uploading limits.
Cons: The interface is older than dirt and very clunky and awkward to use.
Standalone FTP Program running over your AOL connection. (Here's my full instructions on how to do this)
Pros: No file size upload limits. More powerful.
Cons: You still need to have an AOL software connection running.
Web-Based File Manager (which is located at http://hometown.aol.com/_fm -- see my tutorial on how to use the Web-based File Manager.
Pros: Very portable (you just need a Web browser). Easy to use, especially for adding photos
Cons: File size upload limits (500K per file, or 1MB total per upload). Can be awkward if you're moving a lot of files.
Standalone SFTP Program:
Pros: Full control over your files.
Cons: None that I can think of. Well, you have to configure the program and get used to it.

One thing to mention -- if you're using a standalone FTP or SFTP client, it means it's easier for you to manipulate your files. That means it's also easier for you to delete your files, so always be careful and have backups.

One other thing to note: You'll be able to link to a music or movie file from your blog, but you won't be able to have it play directly in your browser yet (well, you can sort of do it with music files in the background -- for example, see Brandi's entry on this) -- it should open a separate player when you click on it.

However, as noted, the Journals folks are working on allowing embedded flash video players (so you'd be able to include UnCut Video and other players).

Anyway, hope this helps. Now, I have to go update all my other old entries so that they mention the new SFTP thingy.

Thanks -- Joe

Tags: AOL Journals, AOL Journals Tips, SFTP

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This entry has 48 comments: (Add your own)

#48 Comment from jglittle
9/5/08 4:26 PM | Permalink

As of 9/5/08 sftp access to members.aol.com does not seem to work. I have tried using both Mac OS X built-in sftp and Cyberduck with the settings (ssh2, port 22) given in the article. With both methods there was no reply from members.aol.com and things just sat until the process timed out. Questions: Has this connection method been checked by AOL personel any time recently? Has the port number perhaps been changed?
Some comment from AOL would be greatly appriciated.
#47 Comment from progrower100
6/17/08 10:21 PM | Permalink

I'm using Coffee Cup and can't get it's ftp program to connect but I have web pages uploaded to aol using there GUI that don't have any of their banners on it. just dont put an html extention on the directories when you name them.
#46 Comment from aa4pc
2/10/08 8:53 AM | Permalink

This hasn't apparently worked in a LONG, LONG, LONG time. Why not take the INCORRECT BLOG down or FIX the frickin' problem??? Hmmm AOL, are you LISTENING?
#45 Comment from vishy2004
2/8/08 3:03 PM | Permalink

Hi guys,

I empathize with you. It must be frustrating. I will see if I can get a HT person to address this

Vish
#44 Comment from andalin
2/8/08 2:46 PM | Permalink

Sorry to say, but it seems we have no choice but to use another ftp service that will not put their banner on our web site when we pay for our ftp space. From what we are told, AOL now has their AOL Hometown banner on every page, including those made by customers who pay for the service. Visitors to our website no loger see a professional site, but one with a cheezy banner which looks like we got this service for free. We do not use free web hosting. It will take awhile to move all of our files, so we will have to stay with our two AOL accounts until we are up and running elsewhere.

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Access Your Web Storage Space Using SFTP