Fetch is a Mac OS X software used to transfer files between computers--usually your computer and a server--via SFTP, Secure File Transfer Protocol. (FTP is insecure and is no longer offered by GW.) However, it has been replaced with the use of SFTP. Fetch 5 supports SFTP.

1. Hostname: www.gwu.edu or acad.gwu.edu or others
2. Username: Your username or userid on the above server
3. Connect using: SFTP (You must select this from the drop down menu if your default setting is FTP)
4. Password: Enter your password here

You can also reveal optional settings by clicking the blue circled arrow, which maybe left blank for most purposes. For the sake of example and convenience, I have specified an Initial folder here.

3. Click Connect

4. When you are connected, you will see a window similar to this:

Downloading Files: From this window above, you may drag and drop files and folder to your desktop or select the files and/or folders and use the Get button.

Uploading Files: Drag and drop files and/or folder from your computer to this window or use the Put button.

Neat Trick: You can also transfer files between servers by opening two connections and dragging and dropping files and folders:

Fetch displays hidden or "dot" files by default. These file names being with a period. Unless you need to transfer these files, we recommend that you hide or omit them from view. You can do this by going to Fetch → Preferences → Miscellaneous, or typing "command ," (command and the comma key). Under Display, check the button next to "Omit filenames beginning with a period" and close the window to save this change.