import os, sys
from getpass import getpass

nonpassive  = False                      
filename    = 'lawnlake2-jan-03.jpg'          # file to download
dirname     = '.'                             # remote directory
sitename    = 'ftp.rmi.net'                   # ftp site to contact
userinfo    = ('lutz', getpass('Pswd?'))      # use () for anonymous
if len(sys.argv) > 1: filename = sys.argv[1]  # file on command-line?

print 'Connecting...'
from ftplib import FTP                      # socket-based ftp tools
localfile  = open(filename, 'wb')           # local file to store to
connection = FTP(sitename)                  # connect to ftp site
connection.login(*userinfo)                 # default anonymous login
connection.cwd(dirname)                     # xfer 1k at a time
if nonpassive:                              # if server requires
    connection.set_pasv(False)
    
# thread me in a GUI
print 'Downloading...'
connection.retrbinary('RETR ' + filename, localfile.write, 1024)
connection.quit()
localfile.close()