web

Introduction

If you were using Notepad to make a Web site and you changed the name of an image file, you would have to find the code that displays the image and change it to match the new file name. Dreamweaver, however, has a built-in site manager that allows you to rename and move files without breaking local links.  Dreamweaver also has a built-in File Transfer system that allows you to connect to a Web server and transfer your files.

In order to take advantage of the site management features, you must create a site definition for each Web site you create.  The site definition tells Dreamweaver where your files are stored locally (called a local root folder) and where the Web server is.  You also need to specify a server account user name and password.

Dreamweaver will not work properly (links will not work, images will not show up) without a site definition.   You must also keep all the files for a Web site in ONE FOLDER. You need to create and use the same folder for other classes that ask you to upload to the studentweb.gcccd.net server. 

You will start by creating a local root folder for all class work and then you will create a site definition.  Finally, you'll upload files to the studentweb server.

Folder Setup

  1. If you don't already have one, use Windows to create a folder named local_root. ON CAMPUS, create your folder on your USB disk or H drive. At home, create your folder on your hard disk.
  2. Within local_root, create a folder called 212projects

  3. If you are also taking GD 217, create a folder named 217projects within the local_root folder.

 

Dreamweaver Site Definition

View the Site Definition video demonstration (5 minutes) in Windows Media Format (1.1 MB) or Flash (3.3 MB)

  1. F8Launch Dreamweaver .  If you don't see the Site panel on the right side of your screen, select
    Site -> Site Files
    (or press the F8 key).
  2. If you are on campus in the classroom, select
    Site -> New Site...

    new site

  3. With the Advanced Tab selected, enter the local settings as shown below. 

    Site Name can be anything and can include spaces.   (I have about 10 sites I work on, so I try to make each of the 10 site definitions descriptive.)
    Local Root Folder is the path and name of the folder where you will keep all your files.  Click the folder icon to browse to YOUR folder.  Your path will probably look different from mine.
    HTTP Address is the URL to your site on the studentweb server.  Replace "username" with YOUR user name.

    Local settings


  4. Click Remote Info and enter the FTP information as shown.  If the screen look blank, use the pull-down menu next to Access to select FTP.  Use YOUR Login name and password.

    remote settings


  5. Click OK and then EXPORT your site definition (backup option). Save the .ste file in a memorable location.

    Export


  6. Click Done, and you will then see the site window.  Use the local site window to open, move, rename, and delete files. If you use Windows to manage files, you may break links.   Basically, you will end up confused and frustrated and your life will be miserable, so PLEASE USE DREAMWEAVER for all file management.  The only exception to this is if you need to overwrite files or import new files.  For that, you may use Windows.

  7. Manage SiteIF YOU ARE ON CAMPUS - every time you use Dreamweaver, start by IMPORTING your .ste file. Choose Site -> Manage Sites.
    Then click the Import button and navigate to the .ste file.

    Import Site Definition

File Transfer

After you have opened a file and made changes, you need to save it and upload the changed file to the server.  Here is the process:

    1. open file
    2. make changes in document window
    3. save
    4. upload changed file to server

View the File Transfer video demonstration (5 minutes) in Windows Media Format (1.3 MB) or Flash (2.3 MB).

Put a file

To upload a file or folder, select it in the Site window and click the blue up arrow. Dreamweaver calls this the "Put" button.  Use the green "Get" button to download from the server.  This will overwrite a selected local file or folder with the one on the server. 

 

 

You can also upload the active file (file you ar working on) by clicking the file mangement buttons at the top of the screen and selecting Put.

put a file

 

Expand ButtonSometimes, you need to see what is on the server.  Click the Expand/Collapse button to show side-by-side views of files on the server and local root.  

In the default view, server files are listed on the left and local files are listed on the right.  If you don't see the server files, click the connect button in the toolbar.  Connect Button

Expanded view

Once you have uploaded your site, THE FOLDER STRUCTURE ON THE SERVER SIDE SHOULD MIRROR THE FOLDER & FILES ON THE LOCAL SIDE!  If yours doesn't, check your site definition.

To get back to the document window, click the Expand/Collapse button again. Expand Button