I got a notice that the Lyric and Discography Archive had moved and was even available in http format. I was denied anonymous login to the ra.msstate.edu ftp server. I did log on anonymously to the tapr.org server. Getting a little more new-fangled. This, and similar programs can be used to do everything you were doing the old-fashioned way.
Web browsers do ftp, too.
Try reading my just edited standard article on Using FTP in Education , which emphasizes using a web browser to access ftp resources. Concluding the class Send me a brief e-mail telling me how you did, and asking any questions you have.