Archived copy for reference only
 

 

Graphic Design / Interactive Design / Fine & Applied Arts / Parkland College

Graphic Design Exercises
Dreamweaver: Publishing

(Archived from 2019)

Objective

To learn file management skills and web publishing concepts.

Discussion

A web server is simply another computer. The server's only job is to "serve" pages upon request. Web-ready files (HTML, CSS, images, etc) are usually copied to the server using FTP (file transfer protocol). In GDS classes, we will be using Dreamweaver's built-in FTP functions to transfer files from your computer to the web server. The best way to manage a website is to test locally on your hard drive, and then to "synchronize" those files with the "remote" server.

In order for the world to see your website, you will also need a domain name. For GDS classes, we will be using gds.parkland.edu. To practice web publishing, all GDS students will have access to Parkland's "remote" server which hosts our domain.

Students should consider registering their own domain name as soon as possible (see price comparison). By the time you graduate, you will need your own website for self-promotion purposes. In addition, there are many cheap web hosting services out there.

Procedure

Overview: Tell Dreamweaver the login information for the remote server. Add a directory for your files. Copy your web-ready files to the server. Note: replace bold with personalized info.

Connecting to the server for the first time (adding a directory for your website)

  1. launch Dreamweaver
  2. site > new site:
    • site name = jsmith-class
    • local site folder = faa999/class/html
  3. category: servers; add new server (+)
    • server name = gds.parkland.edu
    • ftp address = gds.parkland.edu
    • username = gdsstudent
    • password: ••••••••••
  4. click TEST button
  5. window > files: click the EXPAND button
  6. click the CONNECT button (upper left corner)
  7. make a new directory "jsmith" on the server (RMB click on folder for your class)
  8. click the CONNECT button again to disconnect

Connecting to your personal directory on the server (publishing your web-ready files)

  1. edit site "jsmith-class" again (site > manage sites)
  2. category: servers; edit "gds.parkland.edu" server (double-click)
    • root directory = /student/semester/class/jsmith
  3. click TEST button
  4. click the CONNECT button (again)
  5. to upload files, do one of the following (dependent files=no):
    • select any file(s) or folder(s), click PUT
    • select any file(s) or folder(s), drag to another folder
    • select any file(s) or folder(s), RMB: synchronize
  6. browse to:
    http://gds.parkland.edu/student/semester/class/jsmith
    to see your published site (tip: to see updates, you may have to hit REFRESH on your browser)

Exporting site definition in D019 (backing up credentials and paths for the server; no need to do this at home)

  1. site > manage sites
  2. choose the "jsmith-class" site
  3. click EXPORT icon (location=faa999/class/html/jsmith-class.ste)

Importing site definition in D019 (if moving to a different computer or room)

  1. site > manage sites
  2. click IMPORT SITE button (location=faa999/class/html/jsmith-class.ste)

Tip: When working on a different computer, check SITE > MANAGE SITES first before importing a site definition. if you see your websites already listed, that means you've worked on this computer before and have previously imported a site definition.

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Last updated: 5/7/21