Ten Ton Dreamweaver [Electronic resources]

Geoff Blake

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Going at It on Your Own with FTP

You certainly don't have to use Dreamweaver's Files panel to look after your file transfers. In fact, I used an external FTP client for the longest time just because I was more comfortable with it. I eventually switched to using the Files panel, but I still keep an FTP utility handy. If you want to use another program for transferring files, that's fineit's not going to cause any problems for Dreamweaver.

If you want to use another program for transferring files, it's not going to cause any problems for Dreamweaver.

Choosing an FTP Client

There are many FTP programs available: some good, some not so good; some free, some not so free. You may want to download a few to try them out and see which you like best. Personally, I like the ones that give you two window panes: one for the remote site and one for the local site. Others have just a single window that you can drag and drop files into, just like a folder window on your computer.

Geek's Delight

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It's the method used to transfer files to a remote location.

Pickin' an FTP Client

Here are a few FTP programs that you can download and install, depending on your platform. They all work in a similar way and are easy to use, so you shouldn't have trouble with them. For a much greater variety, visit [download.com].

FTP Client

Get It At

What's the Deal?

Windows

WS_FTP

[ipswitch.com/_download/wsftppro.asp]

Free to try, $35 to buy

FTP Commander

[internet-soft.com/download]

[thesecond.net//image/library/english/13880_GuildFTPd.exe]

Free

Mac

Fetch

[fetchsoftworks.com]

Free to try, $25 to buy

Cyberduck

[cyberduck.ch/index.php#download]

Free

Tractors are not family vehicles, so park it in the shed mister.

Geek's Delight

The term client just means program or application. So an FTP client is just a program that looks after file transfers. Some people refer to their e-mail program as their e-mail client. Same idea.

Setting Up the FTP Connection

Most FTP programs are very straightforward to use. The toughest part is usually setting up the connection to your remote site, but even this is fairly straightforward. The programs usually have a New Connection button on the toolbar or something similar in the File menu.

Cyberduck's New Connection dialog box. Most FTP clients have a similar dialog box for establishing a remote connection to your web space.

Geek's Delight

Often when you're establishing a new connection, the dialog box will contain a field labeled Host Directory or Initial Path. If your site is stored within a specific folder when you connect (a folder called public, for example) you could enter the path to that folder to connect directly to it, rather than having to navigate to it after you connect. Common host directories are publi87, www, and site. Check with your host.

When you establish a new connection, you'll get a dialog box that asks you to provide your server address (usually "ftp.url.com," where url is your site's address), your username, and your password. This information should be provided to you by your hosting service or IT department if you're working within a large organization.

Just the Gist

Defining a Site

Defining a site in Dreamweaver is imperative.

When you define a site, you're telling Dreamweaver where all the files that are a part of your site will be stored on your hard drive.

Site Definition Wizard

If you're just getting started with Dreamweaver, the Site Definition wizard provides the easiest way to define a site.

Experienced users can make use of the Site Definition's Advanced mode.

Advanced mode contains categories that some users may never use.

Duplicating Sites

Duplicate a site and all its settings in the Manage Sites dialog box.

Deleting Sites

Once your work is complete on a site, you can remove it from Dreamweaver's Manage Sites dialog box.

Removing a site from Dreamweaver does not delete it from your hard drive.

Importing and Exporting Sites

Dreamweaver gives you the option to export your site's setings with or without sensitive remote login info.

Creating New Files and Folders

You can add new files and folders directly in the Files panel or through your OS.

Uploading and Downloading

By default, the Files panel displays your local site on the right and your remote site on the left.

Use the Put and Get buttons on the Files panel toolbar to upload or download.

Stopping a Transfer

To stop a file transfer, close the Background Activity dialog box.

Choosing an FTP Client

You don't have to use Dreamweaver's Files panel for uploading and downloading.

There are many external and inexpensive FTP programs available online.

Setting Up the Connection

FTP programs usually have a New Connection button; when you click it, you'll be prompted to enter your site's remote info.

Most programs allow you to save your remote connections as bookmarks or favorites.