WebDAV Support

WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning." It allows users to edit and manage files on web servers using a drag-and-drop interface. Using WebDAV, you can create a "Web folder" on your desktop for your WebVista files that is very similar to the other folders on your computer, and add, delete, rename, or edit files on your WebVista site just as you would if the files were on your computer. You do not need to zip and unzip folders of content if you export PowerPoint presentations into HTML or move content folders from other Web sites — you can just drag and drop the folders into your Web folder.

Please note that there is no WebDAV support for students, and although you can move files into your WebVista course site, you still must link to these files using the Add File or Learning Module tools for students to see them.

This document will explain how to set up a Web folder. We also provide a few tips about using WebDAV safely and provide further resources.

Set a Password

Your WebDAV password is separate from the password from your U of M Internet ID account. It is used only to access WebDAV folders for Vista course sites to which you have access.

1. Go to: https://webdavpassword.webvista.umn.edu/password.pl (this link will open in a new window).
2. If you are not already logged in with your Internet ID and password, you will be asked to log in. Use your usual University Internet ID and password.
3. In the WebVista WebDAV Password window, type your desired WebDAV password in the Password box, and then type it again in the Confirm Password box.
4. Click the Set Password button.

Set Up a Web Folder

1. In your WebVista site, select the Build tab and click the File Manager link in the Designer Tools area.
2. To the right of the File Manager title, click the ActionLinks button ().
3. A menu appears. Click the View WebDAV Info link.
4. A window opens with the WebDAV URL for the current course. This is a long address something like this:
   https://www2.webvista.umn.edu/webct/webdav/203704250922/847602002
   
5. Select the URL and copy it to your clipboard by right-clicking (Windows) or control-clicking (Mac) to acces the pop-up menu, or use the keyboard shortcut to copy (Control-C on Windows, Command-C on Mac).
6. To close the WebDAV Info window, click the OK button.
7. Follow the instructions for your operating system to set up your Web Folder.

Windows 2000 and Windows XP

1. Go to My Network Places
2. Open Add a New Network Place.
3. In the wizard, select Choose Another New Location
4. Paste your WebDAV URL from Step 4 above.
   Note: If you cannot connect, try (carefully) replacing the plus signs (+) with single spaces in the URL.
5. Enter your login and password information.
6. Name your folder.
7. Your Web Folder will remain under My Network Places.

Windows Vista

Note: There is an issue with Windows Vista's WebDAV system, as outlined in Microsoft Help and Support article KB907306. To use WebDAV folders on Windows Vista, will need to download and install an update from Microsoft.

1. Click the Windows button.
2. Click the Computer option
3. Click Map network drive
4. A window appears. Click the link Connect to a Web site that you use to store your documents and pictures.
5. The Add Network Location Wizard appears. Click the Next button.
6. Click Choose a custom network location.
7. Click the Next button.
8. Paste in the address from step 4 (above).
9. Click the Next button.
10. Enter your username and password.
11. Type in a name, which will be the title of the new folder on your desktop.
12. Click the Next button.
13. Click the Finish button.

Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard)

1. Go to the Finder.
2. Click the Go menu.
3. Select the Connect to Server... option.
4. Under Server Address: Paste your WebDAV URL from Step 4 above. Click the plus icon to add the folder to your list of favorites.
5. Click the Connect button.
6. Enter your login and password information.
7. Click the OK button.
8. The folder will open in the Finder.

Get More Information

WebDAV makes it very easy to edit documents "live" on a remote server. This can be very convenient, but it can create problems, particularly if you have multiple designers working on the same material. Here are some tips to avoid common problems.

• Save backup copies of all your files on your own computer. Since it is easy to edit files live, site developers may fall into the habit of editing documents directly on the server and not saving backups of those revised files.
• If you are working with other designers, make sure no one accidentally replaces newer versions of files with older files by dragging in and overwriting entire folders and/or uploading entire sites from Dreamweaver.

Read more about WebDAV at http://www.webdav.org.

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• Instructor Support
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