Working with a Remote Site

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When you've set up the remote site information in your Site Definition dialog box, you can interact with the remote server. This section teaches you the steps involved in basic remote site file management. More advanced discussion, such as that on the Synchronization feature, appears later in this chapter. This section discusses two primary functions: connecting to and disconnecting from the remote server, and uploading and downloading files. Figure 18.5 shows the Site panel, with items relevant to remote site management highlighted.

Figure 18.5. The Site panel.

For full information on the ins and outs of the Site panel interface, see the section "Working in the Site Panel," in the previous chapter.

Viewing Remote Information in the Site Panel

When you expand the Site panel to show both its left and right panes, you have the option of showing the site map or the Remote File list in the left pane. To show the Remote File list, click the Files icon at the upper-left corner of the expanded window (see Figure 18.5).

In contrast to Dreamweaver, most FTP programs show local information on the left and remote information on the right. If you would prefer your Site panel to use this setup, open the Preferences > Site dialog box and reverse the order there.

Connecting and Disconnecting

The Connect/Disconnect button (see Figure 18.5) enables you to connect to and disconnect from a remote FTP server. This option also is available if you use a source control system such as SourceSafe or WebDAV. If you publish to a server located locally on your computer or your network, this button is grayed-out because you are automatically connected to the local server. This button also is grayed-out if you have not specified a remote FTP server in your site definition.

If you are using an FTP connection, you must select the Connect button to connect to the FTP server before moving your files from the local to the remote folder. When you connect, a green light appears in the lower-left portion of the Connect button icon. This lets you know that you're connected to the remote server, and it toggles the button's function to Disconnect. Pressing the button in this state disconnects you from the remote server.

If you experience problems connecting to your remote server (or perhaps if you just want to know what Dreamweaver is really doing when you press the Connect button), you can view the FTP log by choosing View > Site FTP Log from the Site panel menu bar, or by opening the Results panel (Window > Results) and bringing the FTP Log tab to the front. This provides a real-time client/server log of your FTP requests and responses. This also shows you how Dreamweaver creates directories, uploads and downloads files, and uses many other FTP commands.

Macromedia maintains a TechNote that lists FTP commands and shows you how to interpret an FTP log. The address for this resource is www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/ts/documents/ftp_errors.htm.

Getting and Putting

When you're connected to your remote site, it's time to either place your files there or download files from there to work on them. When you want to upload, or place a file on the remote server, it's called putting because you are putting your files on the remote site. When you want to download a file from the remote server, it's called getting because you are getting a file from the remote folder. In Dreamweaver, you can get and put by selecting the files you want to upload or download and doing one of the following:

• Click the Get or Put buttons in the Site panel toolbar (see Figure 18.5).

• Choose Site > Get or Site > Put from the Site panel menu bar.

• Right-click your selected files and choose Get or Put from the contextual menu.

You can also choose the fun but dangerous way: dragging and dropping your files from one site of the Site panel to the other.

When you put or get, if an older version of a file exists in the target location, it is overwritten. If a newer version exists, Dreamweaver warns you and allows you to cancel the operation.

When you select to either get or put files, the Dependent Files dialog box appears, asking whether it should include all files linked to inside the HTML documents. These files include images and other media content. Select Yes or No accordingly . You also might tell Dreamweaver whether it should ask you this in the future. If you decide to have Dreamweaver not ask you in the future, you might decide later that you would like it to. You can turn on this prompt again by going to the Site section of your Preferences and checking Prompt on Get or Put. If you decide to leave this feature hidden, you might force Dreamweaver to ask you on a one-time basis by holding Alt/Opt while selecting the Get or Put buttons.

If you press the Get or Put buttons without being connected to the remote site, Dreamweaver connects automatically, if possible.

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