Yes, while you could send files via IM (like MSN Messenger) or via e-mail
(most are limited to 1 MB attachments), a more elegant solution would be to
set up some sort of repository on the internet to store the pictures.
http://www.imagestation.com is free, and has no limitation on the amount of
pictures you can store there. You can also limit who has access to the
pictures. If you want a little more control, you can pay for an FTP service
on the internet, and store your files there.
I did, however, get the sense that you wanted to maintain the files on your
own PCs. There are three problems that come to mind with this scenario:
First bandwidth. While one of you has a broadband connection, the other is
using a dialup connection, which means that BOTH of you are limited to the
slowest speed when transfering files back and forth.
The second problem is that the dialup side of this equation is, presumably,
not always connected. There are services out there, but they cost, that
will call into a modem from "the internet". My assumption, here, is that
this person will always remain connected to the internet. This can be done
by configuring their dialup connection to not auto-disconnect.
Thirdly, dynamic IP addressing. While we can set up an FTP service on each
of the computers, you'll still have to tell Internet Explorer where the
pictures are.... what computer they're on. If that computer's address
changes every time they connect, that becomes more difficult. We can get
around this by using a free ddns service like
http://no-ip.com/services/page/free/dynamic/dns, which gives you a name on
the internet and changes the IP address whenever your IP changes.
Okay, if you still want to do this, here's how:
1) Install the FTP Service on each of the PCs -- Under the START menu, go
to your CONTROL PANEL, and select ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS, then on the left
side click on ADD/REMOVE WINDOWS COMPONENTS, find and click on INTERNET
INFORMATION SERVICE, then click on the DETAILS button, select FILE TRANSFER
PROTOCOL SERVICE, click OK, then click NEXT when it's finished installing
(you'll need the CD), click FINISH.
2) Configure the dial-up PC to not auto-disconnect -- Under the START menu,
go into the CONTROL PANEL and select NETWORK AND INTERNET CONNECTIONS, then
at the bottom select NETWORK CONNECTIONS. Find the dialup connection that
they use to connect to the internet, and RIGHT CLICK, then select
PROPERTIES. Click on the OPTIONS tab, and under IDLE TIME BEFORE HANGING
UP, select NEVER. Then click OK.
3) Sign-up for ddns. go to
http://no-ip.com/services/page/free/dynamic/dns, and follow the instructions
there. Once you set this up, you'll have to wait for it to take effect.
Not sure how long this takes.
4) Test -- Copy a file to your /InetPub/ftproot directory (probably on
your C: drive), then go into Internet Explorer and in the Address Bar, type
ftp:// and whatever name you gave your system on no-ip.com. This should
open up a listing of the files available over the internet. Any file you
wish to make available, you need to store in that directory.
If you have a router or firewall set up, you will need to open up or forward
PORT 21 to allow for FTP services to work. Let me know what you do, and if
you need any more help with this. Good luck!
Mike Pearl
