Sambar Server Documentation

WebDAV Help
Pro Server Only


Overview
The WebDAV File Share (also referred to as My Documents) allows users to securely share documents, files and other content with friends, business partners or the internet at large. The benefits include:
Familiar Folder Hierarchy Organize your folders to ensure easy access by authorized users.
Secure Permissions Decide which individuals or groups have the right to access or edit documents, sub-folders or folders using our permission system.
Drag and Drop File Transfer Move files to and from your intranet using convenient Web Folder technology (see below). Move a single file or drag an entire folder structure between your desktop and your intranet.
Robust Application Support Read and write files from your network folder directly using applications from Microsoft (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Apple (i.e. iCal, iPhoto, iSync), Adobe, and Macromedia.
Document Check-in / Check-out Lock files for check-out while editing, and unlock them as they're checked back in, so all users will have the latest version.
Document Versioning Keep track of previous revisions of documents for viewing, comparison and change management.
No Firewall or VPN Required Users can share documents and files quickly without the need to purchase, configure or maintain a firewall or VPN.

Web Folders

With Drag and Drop functionality, you can read the files stored in your WebDAV File Share directly from the Windows environment you use every day. To begin using Drag and Drop, you first set up a "Web Folder" on your PC. If you are using a Macintosh, you can set up a WedDav connection.

To mount your documents directory as a WebFolder on Windows XP and 2000:

  1. Open My Network Places
  2. Double click the "Add Network Place"
  3. Select "Choose another network location"
  4. Enter the internet address of the server in the network location, i.e. http://www.myserver.com/~username/
  5. Enter your username and password when prompted
  6. Save it as "My WebFolder" or the name of your choosing when prompted

To mount your documents directory on your Mac desktop (more details):

  1. Select the "Connect to Server" command from the Finder or press Command K.
  2. Within the Connect to Server window, enter the internet address of the the server, i.e. http://www.myserver.com/~username/
  3. Enter your username and password when prompted

Viewing documents in your intranet via Web Folders

Once you set up a Web Folder that mirrors the information on your intranet, you can see all the documents on your site via Windows Explorer. Just double click any of the files in Windows Explorer to open them.

You can also open any of the files on your intranet from the Microsoft Office application they were created with - Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Drag and Drop a file or folder to your intranet Web Folder.

You can import an entire directory of files from your computer to your intranet. Or, you can upload just a selection of files from your local computer to your intranet. In Windows Explorer, simply Drag and Drop them from their location on your computer to your intranet Web Folder.

Save a file from Microsoft Word directly to your intranet.

You can save a file from any Microsoft Office 2000 application to your intranet - Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. After creating a new document in Microsoft Word, for example, click Save. When prompted for where to save the file, browse to your intranet Web Folder, and then choose the sub-folder in your Document Manager where you'd like to store it.

The document you save appears on your intranet right away. So at the same time as saving the file, you have uploaded it to your intranet.

At this point, you can continue working on the file in Microsoft Word. The next time you save it, the latest version is automatically updated to your intranet. While you're working on the file, other members can view it, but they cannot make changes to it.

Edit a document with Web Folders

You can edit a document on your intranet without even going to your site. You simply open the document from its Web Folder location using the application you use to edit it. To edit a Microsoft Excel file, for example, on your intranet:
  • Open Microsoft Excel
  • Open the file you want to edit directly from its Web Folder location. The file is automatically "checked out" from your intranet. While you're working on the file, other members can view it, but they cannot make changes to it.
  • Make your edits
  • Save your changes in Microsoft Excel Your edits are automatically updated on your intranet. You can use the same process for any other Microsoft Office 2000 application -- Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

Publish your web site

Users are able to use tools like Macromedia Dreamweaver to edit their webpages on the server, save their changes and see them instantly updated through their browser (rather than the old edit, upload, view cycle). And users can easily "import" graphics from their photos folder into their site.

Access to your files when you're offline.

You can download all the files in your WebDAV File Share to a local directory so you can access intranet files when you're not online. As part of your ISP subscription, EarthLink performs periodic backups of all your intranet data. A synchronization client, such as Apple's iSync can automatically synchronize users' address book files or "photos" folder. Even bookmarks can be synchronized for users that use multiple computers.

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