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WebDAV

WebDAV — Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol — offers convenient drag-and-drop file management without being logged into a WebCT course. It enables you to move and manage files located in WebCT as if you were on your own computer.

MSU WebCT designers, through the use of WebDav, can set up local access to their MSU WebCT course's Course Files area (aka My-Files or Manage Files area) and Course Backup area. WebDav allows a course designer to move multiple files into an MSU WebCT course without having to zip them together-- just drag and drop.

I. Setting up WebDav II. Utilize the local folder area III. Helper Text Files

I. Setting Up WebDav

WebDav allows you to view, manage, move, copy, save and rename the files and folders that exist in your course on the MSU WebCT server just as you would while working locally. WebDAV requires that the designer's local computer(s) be configured for it. To utilize WebDav, you must first create a network folder on your local machine that connects to your course located on the MSU WebCT server.

What follows is an example of one way to do the set-up operation. Please note that this is an example only - your set-up may have to be done somewhat differently. For instance, your local machine may not be a PC (it could be a Mac!), your machine may be running a different operating system, or you may decide to establish the local folder of your MSU WebCT Course Files or Course Backups in a different fashion.

We offer this example to help you visualize what you need to do in order to get WebDav set up on your local machine. Your actual methodology may differ from the illustrated step-by-step displayed below. These demonstration images were created using a standard Dell PC running Windows XP.

Begin:
From your "myWebCT" area, select the "WebDav info" link.

WebDAV info hotlink button

From the WebDav info page, select the URL for the folder you want local access to - Course Files or Course Backups.

course files and course url area

Copy the URL corresponding to the folder (either Course Files or Course Backups) to which you want to have local access. In this case, Course files is the choice made...

copy the URL

From your Windows destop, select (either double click or single click, dependent upon type of desktop set-up on your local computer) My Network Places... My Network Places button

Select the hotlink "Add a network place"...

Add anetwork place link

A wizard appears...

first page wizard

select "next" hotlink button

Choose...

second page wizard

select "next" hotlink button

Paste the URL you copied...

third page wizard

select "next" hotlink button

You'll be prompted to enter your MSU WebCT ID and password... enter the proper information and select "OK". MSUWebCT does not recommend saving the password in the local machine's password list.

fourth page wizard

Enter a name for the network place...

fifth page wizard

select "next" hotlink button

finish wizard

"finish" hotlink button

Your network folder exists locally and creates a convenient shortcut connected to the Course Files area in your MSU WebCT course.

Notes:

  • You have to create a network place for every course you wish to utilize the convenience of WebDav in. Once the network place for a particular course is established on your local machine, you won't have to set a new network place up again until the MSU WebCT course is retired at the end of a semester (and disappears off of the server 4 weeks into the new semester).
  • If you direct your local machine to remember your password then your local machine will have immediate access to your Course file area or Course backup area (simply select the network place and you're in)... MSUWebCT recommends leaving it protected by never allowing your machine to remember your ID and password(s).
  • Care must be taken when moving files-- accidental overwrites can prove to be somewhat of a headache.

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II. Utilize the local folder area

Open "My Network Places"...

"My Network Places" image

Select your network folder... you'll be propmpted to log in...
Use your MSU WebCT ID and password.

connect dialogue box

After supplying the necessary info, you'll see the file area of your course...
Note the address (as directly below). It points to the MSU WebCT server (webct.montana.edu) first; then the sub-folder "dav" and then your course ID will appear (in this case, "MSUWCT_YourCourse"). In this example, the files "coursebuild3.jpg" and "Introduction.html" already exist in the "My_Files" area of the course.

web folder image

In this example, the folder called "My_MSU_WebCT_Course" is in the "My Documents" area of the local machine (illustrated below). We'll take files out of this area and "drag and drop" them into the "Course files" (aka "Manage Files" or "My_Files") area of the course.

my documents

After opening the "My_MSU_WebCT_Course" folder, a window appears that shows what is in that folder. As illustrated below, 2 sub-folders exist ("assignments_folder" and "getting_started_docs") in the folder.

layered image

Selecting the "getting_started_docs" folder reveals five files (as below).

getting_started_folder image

Selecting all the files at once (select the uppermost file, hold down the shift key and select the bottom file or draw a selection box around them) enables them to be grabbed, dragged and finally dropped into the course's "Course files" (aka "Manage Files" or "My_Files") area.

drag and drop image

The "Copying file" dialogue box appears...

copying dialogue box image

The new files now reside in the course's "Course files" (aka "Manage Files" or "My_Files") area.

files now reside image

Remember: these visuals are for demonstration purposes only. You are not restricted to this methodology in any way. For instance, you could have simply grabbed the entire "My_MSU_WebCT_Course" folder and dragged it to the "Course Files" area. Or, should you prefer using the "Explorer" interface on your PC, you could work everything out in that fashion. You are the master of your own vessel.

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III. Helper Text Files

Helper text files for setting up WebDAV

MSU WebCT CE 4.1 supports Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol (WebDAV). This offers WebCT designers the convenience of drag and drop file management.

WebDAV works with these operating systems:

Windows 2000/XP Windows 98/NT MacOS X using the Finder MacOS 9 (using a WebDAV client)

See the following pages for specific steps to configure WebDAV on computer/s used to design WebCT courses.

Windows 2000/XP (as illustrated in the example above)

  1. From your "myWebCT" area, click the "WebDAV info" link. The WebDAV Info page appears.
  2. From your "WebDAV Info" page, select the URL for the course and folder you want to establish local access to (Course Files or Course Backups) and copy the URL. Note: The URL will begin with http://
  3. From your Windows desktop, open "My Network Places". Note: Additional information on using "My Network Places" is available through your Microsoft Windows online help.
  4. From your "My Network Places" folder, select the "Add Network Places" hotlink. The "Welcome to the Add Network Place Wizard" appears.
  5. Follow the steps of the wizard. In the "What is the address of this network place?" text box, paste your WebCT folder URL (the one copied in step #2).
  6. Continue to step through the wizard. When prompted for a "Network Password", you'll enter your MSU WebCT ID and password. Eventually, the "Completing the Add Network Place Wizard" screen appears.
  7. To complete your WebDAV setup, click "Finish". A Microsoft Web Folder appears containing your WebCT course files. Note: Additional information on Microsoft Web Folders is available through your Windows online help.

Note: When using WebDAV with Windows XP, you may have to enter your WebCT username and password multiple times.

Print out these instructions in pdf (file size: 29k).
top of helper text files

Windows 98/NT

  1. From your “myWebCT”, click the “WebDAV info” link. The WebDAV Info page appears.
  2. From your "WebDAV Info" page, select the URL for the course and folder you want to establish local access to (Course Files or Course Backups) and copy the URL. Note: The URL will begin with http://
  3. Open “My Computer”, then open “Web Folders”.
  4. Select “Add a Web Folder”.
  5. For location, paste your WebCT folder URL (the one copied in step #2). Select “Next”.
  6. When prompted for a User Name and Password, you’ll enter your MSU WebCT ID and password. Important: If you are sharing a local computer you should deselect the “Save this password in your password list” check box. Select “OK”.
  7. To complete your WebDAV setup, click “Finish”. A Microsoft Web Folder appears containing your WebCT course files. Note: Additional information on Microsoft Web Folders is available through your Windows online help.

Print out these instructions in pdf (file size: 31k).
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MacOS with Finder (MacOS X)

WebDAV is integrated into MacOS X. This makes it very simple to mount a WebDAV directory just as you would any other volume. Basically, it allows you to mount your course's Course Files or Course Backups area(s) to your local machine and use the Mac Finder's file management system to move and edit files.

  1. From your myWebCT, click the “WebDAV info” link. The “WebDAV Info” page appears.
  2. From your “WebDAV Info” page, select the URL for the course and folder you want local access to: Course Files or Course Backups.
  3. Copy the URL. Note: The URL will begin with http://
  4. From the Finder, select Apple-K or use the menu item “GO > CONNECT TO SERVER”.
  5. MacOS X's "Connect to Server" window will open. In the "Address:" textbox, paste the URL that you copied in step 3. Click the “CONNECT” button.
  6. When prompted, enter your MSU WebCT ID and Password.
  7. Your directory will now be accessible. Depending on your Finder preferences, it may display on your desktop or be accessible through the Finder area.

Print out these instructions in pdf (file size: 31k).
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MacOS 9

If you are using MacOS 9 you will need a WebDAV client such as Macromedia's Dreamweaver or the freeware Goliath.

  1. From your myWebCT, click the WebDAV info link. The WebDAV Info page appears.
  2. From your WebDAV info page, select the URL for the course and folder you want local access to: Course Files or Course Backups.
  3. Copy the URL. Note: The URL will begin with http://
  4. If you are using the Goliath client, click the menu “FILE > NEW CONNECTION”. If you are using a different client, specific steps may differ.
  5. Paste the URL that you copied in step 3 in the URL field. Click the "Use Basic Authentication" checkbox and enter your MSU WebCT ID and Password in the fields provided. Click “OK”.
  6. Your directory will now be mounted on your desktop.

Link to Goliath - http://www.webdav.org/goliath/

Print out these instructions in pdf (file size: 30k).
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