diff --git a/reference/ftp/reference.xml b/reference/ftp/reference.xml
index 4eb707ad39..c35da1ef10 100644
--- a/reference/ftp/reference.xml
+++ b/reference/ftp/reference.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
-<!-- $Revision: 1.6 $ -->
+<!-- $Revision: 1.7 $ -->
  <reference id="ref.ftp">
   <title>FTP functions</title>
   <titleabbrev>FTP</titleabbrev>
@@ -10,7 +10,13 @@
     <para>
      The functions in this extension implement client access to file
      servers speaking the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) as defined in 
-     <ulink url="&spec.ftp;">&spec.ftp;</ulink>.
+     <ulink url="&spec.ftp;">&spec.ftp;</ulink>.  This extension is
+     meant for detailed access to an FTP server providing a wide range
+     of control to the executing script. If you only wish to
+     read from or write to a file on an FTP server, consider using
+     the <link linkend="wrappers.ftp"><literal>ftp://</literal> wrapper</link>
+     with the <link linkend="ref.filesystem">filesystem functions</link>
+     which provide a simpler and more intuitive interface.
     </para>
    </section>