With 1&1 Webspace Explorer, you can efficiently manage your Web space at any time. The tool works in a similar way to any standard FTP client, but has several advantages: first, it’s tailored towards making your Web space as accessible as possible, second its intuitive and familiar interface makes it easy to navigate, and third you can access it from any internet-connected computer with a Web browser via your 1&1 Control Panel. Use this guide for information about accessing the tool, performing file operations, and getting more from your 1&1 Package.
Access Webspace Explorer
To get an overview of your Web space, first log into your 1&1 Control Panel. Now look under the Hosting > Manage Webspace section for the Webspace Explorer link. Click this and you’ll be whisked away to the main dashboard. This should immediately feel familiar, sporting a two-paned window similar to Windows Explorer or Finder.
It works in a similar way too: the left-hand pane allows you to move easily between folders, providing a hierarchical view of your Web space. The right-hand pane shows the contents of the currently selected folder: both its sub-folders and files. These are displayed in list view, revealing their name, size, type, modified date and current permissions.
You’ll see a range of buttons and menus displayed above these two panes. The buttons replicate most of the options found in the four menus – File, Edit, Transfer and Archive – and are laid out logically to mirror their contents.
Perform file operations
Select a file or folder in the right-hand pane by clicking it, or hold the [Ctrl] key as you click on multiple items to select them together. Once done, you can perform actions on the selected items using one of three methods: click the appropriate button, select your desired option from one of the menus, or right-click one of the highlighted items to choose from the context menu that pops up. Pick whichever one you feel most comfortable with – you’ll also notice that unavailable options are automatically greyed out.
Actions include being able to copy or move files – once selected, a pop-up window will appear allowing you to choose the destination folder on your Web space. You can also delete, rename and change permissions on files – all of which should all be used with care; a mistake here could break all or part of your website. I particularly like the Change Permissions screen, though – it allows you to tweak permissions using simple check boxes to set read, write and execute permissions or by entering the octal number required (such as 777 for universal access).
More file management tools
You’ll also see options for downloading files to your computer as well as zipping up the selected files and folders. In my tests, the zip feature didn’t always work – it depends on the folder you want to compress. You can also extract previously zipped files too, plus create new folders and upload files from your computer should the need arise. One way to save time uploading a large group of files would be to zip them up, upload the compressed archive and then unzip it on the server after uploading. You might also be thinking of using the upload files feature as a way to share files over the internet – this isn’t the most secure method, so consider other options, such as 1&1’s Online Storage package.
Photo Credit: ©1&1 Internet
