The Universal Files tab on the Resources window is your primary location for accessing and working with drives, directories, and files.
The Universal Files tab allows you to access all of the following:
Any local or network drives that are available in your Windows Explorer will also be available in the Drive List. Remote servers must be configured in order for you to see them in the Drive List. Remote servers are listed under the Allaire FTP & RDS option in the Drive List.
With a few exceptions, directories and files on remote servers function identically to those on local and network drives. The following sections will show you how to work with directories and files first, after which you will learn how to configure and work with remote servers. All of the information you learn about directories and files below will apply to remote servers.
You can choose to work with your directories from the Universal Files tab or you can open Windows Explorer from within HomeSite to work with the directories there. Any of the tasks you can perform in Windows Explorer to work with directories (deleting, renaming, etc.) can be performed in either the Universal Files tab or the Windows Explorer window.
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To work with a directory from the Universal Files tab: |
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To open a directory in Windows Explorer: |
The Windows Explorer window opens up with the directory you selected opened. You can use any of Windows Explorer's features to work with the directory.
Note | The shortcut menu you see when you right-click a directory in the Universal Files tab contains all of the same options that you see when you right-click a directory in Windows Explorer. |
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To create new directories from the Universal Files tab: |
A new directory is added to the Directory List in the location you specified. The new directory is highlighted, waiting for you to rename it.
You can use the following procedures to work with files, regardless of their location (local drive, network drive, or remote server).
Use the procedures below to open and link files in the file list.
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To open files: |
Note | Read-only files are marked with a red dot in the file list. You can right-click a file and choose Properties from the menu to set read and write access. This is not recommended, however, if you are using a source control application to manage read and write privileges. |
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To create a link to a file: |
Note | Alternatively, you can right-click a file and choose Insert As Link from the shortcut menu. The link is inserted in the current page at the cursor location. |
You can also right-click a file in the file list and use the File options in the shortcut menu to delete, move, copy, or rename the file.
Unsaved changes in a document are indicated by an "X" next to the file name in the Document tab at the bottom of the Editor window.
Use the Save commands from the File menu or the Standard toolbar icons to save and close files. Open the Settings dialog box (F8) and use the File Settings pane to specify a format for saved files. The default is PC, but UNIX and Macintosh formats are available. You can set a default file extension on this tab, as well.
When you add links or images to a new file, you are prompted to save the file. This ensures that relative paths to these page elements are resolved correctly.
You can customize the file list to display exactly what you want.
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To filter the file list: |
Note | Use the File Settings pane in the Settings dialog box (F8) to view and edit the list of file extensions that are included for Web documents and Web images. |
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To change the file list view: |
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To refresh the file list: |
You can drag files directly from the Windows Explorer to a page in the HomeSite editor window to create links. Doing this is identical to dragging a file from the file list to a page in order to create a link.
If you hold down the Ctrl key when you drag the file to the HomeSite editor, the file will be opened for editing. If the file is not a recognized text file, a dialog box displays, allowing you to open the file in an associated program for that file type.
You can build a list of favorite folders to make accessing their files easier.
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To add a folder to the favorites list: |
The folder is added to your favorites list for easy selection.
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To view a favorite folder: |
The folder is opened in the Directory List and its files are displayed in the file list.
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To organize your favorite folders: |
HomeSite gives you several additional options for speedy access to files:
Working with directories and files on remote servers is virtually identical to working with them on local or network drives. The primary difference is that you need to establish a connection to remote servers before you can work with their files.
For steps to connecting to a remote server, see "Connecting to Remote Servers".
Configured servers are listed under Allaire FTP & RDS in both the Universal Files tab and the Windows Explorer.
The procedures for working with remote servers can be performed from either the Universal Files tab or Windows Explorer. All of the options necessary to configure remote servers are contained in the shortcut menu you see when you right-click Allaire FTP & RDS.
Once you've added a remote server connection, it is easy to open that server and work with the files. You can work with remote files just as you do with local ones. When you save files, changes are saved to the remote server.
Note | RDS servers can only be added in ColdFusion Studio, the HTML editor that is used in conjunction with Allaire's ColdFusion Server product. You will use Allaire FTP & RDS to add FTP servers only in HomeSite. |