Editing the site with Dreamweaver, need some help connecting.

[c0lemancb]

I'm having a large amount of difficulty connecting to my webserver. I need it set up so that me and another person at another location can both edit the site with ease in Dreamweaver without having to sync from our computers -- edit directly on the server. The problem I'm having is, I can not point Dreamweaver to the FTP site as my 'local' view, but I -can- point it to a Web Folder made in Windows. But, the web folder will not connect (via FTP). Any ideas, or could there be another way to do what I'm describing?

[sheila]

The FTP site isn't local, so being unable to set it to your "local" view makes sense.

The "local" folder is the one on your Windows computer.

Have you set your FTP connection to PASV (Passive) mode?
Are you certain that you have all the correct info for host name, username and password?

[c0lemancb]

Yes, I've set everything correctly. Also, I realize that FTP is not local. But, setting it up as a 'web folder' causes it to act like a normal folder on my PC, which to me, should allow Dreamweaver to access it like a normal folder (just slower than normal.) And since FQ does not support WebDAV,Visual SourceSafe or RDS, this seems to be my only option, unfortunately.

[sheila]

Well, I'm not using Windows or Dreamweaver, so I'm afraid I can't be of assistance in debugging a setup involving those two particular tools

Hopefully someone else will come along with ideas there...

[Evoir]

I think I understand what you want, but forgive me if I misunderstood. Also, I am on a Mac, so your actual mileage may differ. I am not certain about what you mean with the local etc stuff, but in order to have 2 different people edit a site and not overwrite each other's changes here is what you do:

When setting up or editing a sites configuration, go to Remote Info
Then, check Maintain Synchronization Info
And check Enable File Check in and Check out
once you enable the check-in/out a new checkbox appears:
Check out Files When Opening (and you put your name and email in there)
I find that DW opens and saves much slower in this mode, because it is opening and saving from versions on the server. You can also tell it somewhere how many versions to save...

Also, you might find Design Notes helpful with multiple people working on a file...

What this does it tell the other person when you are working on a file, and lock you out while it is being edited by the other person.

This also works with Contribute (a very simplified editing tool that works with DW)

[NoahM]

I believe the following would work for you if I am understanding what you want.

1. Set up your (secure) FTP connection information normally in the the Site Definition in Dreamweaver

2. Also under "Remote Info" check the box that says "Automatically upload files to server on save"

3. Whenever you go to work on a file just connect via FTP in Dreamweaver and open files using the files tab, just make sure "Remote view" is selected and when you double click on a file to open it it will download it locally where you can work on it and as you work and save it should get updated.

Keep in mind I don't use this setup, but it should work. Also keep in mind that you and the other person could potentially open a file at the same time and end up overwriting each others changes as you work.

[Evoir]

Hey Noah. You are missing the synchronization and check in/checkout checkboxes...

[Evoir]

Even if you open the local view files, it will still synchronize, and it will only allow you to open remote files if the other person does not have it checked out. And you can open and overwrite the other person's file, but with a big warning first. It offers to open it as a read-only file first.

[NoahM]

Hey Noah. You are missing the synchronization and check in/checkout checkboxes...

:yeah:

I had thought about mentioning the check in and check out feature, but I actually remember this causing you some consternation a while back. :hrmm:

[Evoir]

Yeah. User error. You have to listen to the warnings. :)

[McDuff]

I find it easier to “sync” differently and avoid working directly on the server.

We edit our website in a similar way, both of us use Dreamweaver, but we “sync” through the server without editing there. I also do not ask Dreamweaver to “set up a local site on my computer” and upload automatically. There is just a directory with exact copy of the site as it is on FQ and I tell Dreamweaver to open and save files from and to individual folders within that directory. The whole connecting part with FQ is done using FTP connect on Total Commander 6.52; up-downloading to FQ and moving within folders (I prefer TC above windows explorer for file and folder management). Everything works quick and perfect, no troubles with complicated setups etc. :yeah:

Both editors have the complete website as shadow site on our computer (and a second backup of the last version that worked on FQ as well). We mostly just email or send sms stating “updated page x” (just a few seconds to do it). We do not always tell each other, so as last check we compare dates of last modification on FQ and on our computer to see if there are any later updates from the other editor (quite easy in TC). Downloaded the updated files to the shadow site, edit, upload, check if it works real-time, etc. Quite often, I upload the same page several times per editing session before it looks and works how I want. During the editing often the connection times out, no problem, TC reconnects easily when you try to upload. This works good and quick and avoids me having to work directly on the server and keep a connection open permanently and risk losing things through unexpected disconnects.

Even if you work on the server directly, it is unavoidable that by coincidence you could both work on exactly the same file (assuming you have several files for your page) at the same time unless you temporarily block access to the file you are editing (and unlock after completion). Anyway, unless each of you locks all files you are editing, you still need to sit down afterwards and merge the two improvements. In addition, it is better to keep each other informed before editing; would be a bit messy if you spend some days editing in one direction and then find out your colleague has been editing in a different direction.

Success, Mcduff