WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning." It allows users to edit and manage files on remote 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 (a) there is no WebDAV support for students, and (b) although you can move files into your WebVista course site, you still must link to these files using the Single Page or Content 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.
- Go to: https://webct.jaws.umn.edu/password.pl (this link will open in a new window).
- 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.
- If you get a certificate notification, click the Accept button to continue.
- In the University of Minnesota WebVista WebDAV Password window, type your desired WebDAV password in the Password box, and then type it again in the Confirm Password box.
- Click the Set Password button.
Set Up a Web Folder
- Log in to your Vista site.
- Go to Build tab, Basic View and navigate to the file manager by following the File Manager link (the file cabinet icon) parallel to the tab.
- Click the "View WebDAV Info" button at the bottom.
- A small window will open with the WebDAV URL for the current course. It is a very long URL looking something like this:
https://vista.umn.edu:443/WebVista/webdav
/128.101.65.9-1057304997335-2000631001.username
/umn.edu/UNIVERSITY+OF+MINNESOTA/Twin+Cities/Site+Name
/username+section+001/Section+Content - Select the URL and copy it to your clipboard by right-clicking (Windows) or control-clicking (Macintosh) to acces the pop-up menu, or use the keyboard shortcut to copy (Control-C on Windows, Command-C on Macintosh).
- Follow the instructions for your operating system to set up your Web Folder.
Windows 95 and Windows 98
On older Windows systems, such as Windows 95 and Windows 98, the Web Folders option may not be installed. Go to Internet Explorers Tools menu and select Windows Update to install Web Folders.
- Open My Computer.
- Open Web Folders.
- Go to File: New and choose Web Folder.
- Paste or type your WebDAV URL from Step 4.
- Submit the login and password information.
- Name your folder.
- Your Web Folder will remain under Web Folders.
Windows 2000 and Windows XP
- Go to My Network Places
- Open Add a New Network Place.
- In the wizard, select Choose Another New Location
- Paste or type your WebDAV URL from Step 4.
Note: If you cannot connect, try (carefully) replacing the plus signs (+) with single spaces in the URL. - Submit the login and password information.
- Name your folder.
- Your Web Folder will remain under My Network Places.
Macintosh OS X
- Download and install Goliath from http://www.webdav.org/goliath.
- Launch Goliath application.
- Paste or type your WebDAV URL from Step 4 and enter your login and password information.
- If you are asked to install a certificate, select Yes.
Use With Dreamweaver
Unfortunately, at this time Dreamweaver can not connect via WebDAV to any SSL servers, including our installation of WebVista. This is not a Vista limitation, but a Dreamweaver limitation. OIT is working with WebVista and Macromedia to address this issue.
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.
- If you have used ClassWeb or another WebDAV-supported Web development tool, you may have performed file management directly through your web browser. We do not advise or support this in our implementation of WebVista. Please use WebVista's "Manage Files" tool if you need a browser-based interface for file management.
You can read more about WebDAV at http://www.webdav.org.