Accessing files from your desktop

DeskNow WebFolders

Note: this feature requires a commercial DeskNow license. It is available in DeskNow Lite only for a trial period - more information

 

The easiest way to access your DeskNow files is to use DeskNow WebFolders.

DeskNow WebFolders lets you access your DeskNow files directly from your desktop, as a normal network drive, and is the easiest way to manage documents in DeskNow.

 

With DeskNow WebFolders:

How to access DeskNow WebFolders using Windows

WebFolders requires a recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer to be installed (usually 5.5 or higher).

 

  1. double-click on the My Network Places  icon on your desktop (if this icon is not available, upgrade Internet Explorer)

  2. double-click on Add Network Place

  3. input the address of your DeskNow WebFolder. This depends on the address of your DeskNow server. If your DeskNow server address is www.mycompany.com, the address for DeskNow WebFolders is http://www.mycompany.com/desknow/webfolders. You can use https:// for secure communications.
    (note: the address when using the demo DeskNow server at www.desknow.com is http://www.desknow.com/desknow/webfolders).

  4. click Next

  5. you will be prompted to login. Input your DeskNow username and password and click Ok

  6. input a name for the web folder, or keep the default one, and click Finish

  7. your web folder is now connected, and you can access it every time, without having to repeat these steps. The web folder is available inside My Network Places

 

Here is how DeskNow looks like once connected on your desktop:

 

 

How to access DeskNow WebFolders using Mac OS X

  1. In the Finder access the 'Go' menu, choose 'Connect of Server...' (Shortcut is Applekey-K)

  2. If your Desknow address is http://www.mycompany.com, enter the URL: http://www.mycompany.com/desknow/webfolders, click 'Connect'

  3. It is essential that the entered server address starts with 'http://'.

  4. When prompted please enter the Desknow username and password and click 'OK'

  5. The Webfolder will be mounted on the desktop.

 

For fast access to the webfolder:

or

 

For permanent connection:

  1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu

  2. Open Accounts

  3. Select 'My account' in the left column. Next click 'Startup Items'

  4. Drag the icon of the mounted Webfolder volume into the automatic startupitems area

  5. Close the 'Accounts' Preferences pane

Every time you log into MacOSX the WebDAV folder will be mounted automatically.

 

How to access DeskNow WebFolders using Mac OS 9

MacOS9 is no longer supported by Apple at this time, but there is a WebDAV client available. The WebDAV client Goliath 1.0.1 supports MacOS8.1 thru 9.2.2.

 

  1. Goliath 1.0.1 can be downloaded from http://www.webdav.org/goliath/#download

  2. Install the application according to the instructions.

 

To create a connection for the first time:

  1. Start Goliath, go to the 'File' menu choose 'New connection...'

  2. In the 'New WebDAV connection window enter the URL. If your Desknow address is http://www.mycompany.com, enter the URL: http://www.mycompany.com/desknow/webfolders .

  3. It is essential that the entered server address starts with 'http://'.

  4. Enter your Desknow username and password in the correspondent fields, click 'OK'

  5. The WebDAV connection is made within the application, the volume is not mounted on the desktop. However, it behaves like any other folder in the Finder.

  6. Go to the 'File' menu, choose 'Save Connection As...'. The 'Save File' dialog comes up. Enter a name for the file and pick a place on your harddrive to save the file. For easy access save the file on the desktop.

 

How to reconnect to your WebDAV folder:

If you have saved the connection to a file, just double-click on the file and your WebDAV folder will show up automatically. You will not be prompted to enter a username and password. This can be a securityrisk!

 

How to create a permanent server log-in:

Just place to saved connection file into the 'Startup Items' folder within the Systemfolder on your harddrive. Everytime your computer boots you will be logged in to you WebDAV folder automatically.

How to access DeskNow WebFolders using Linux

There are several open source projects to mount a webfolder to the Linux file system. Please visit http://www.webdav.org for more information.

 

The latest releases of the Gnome desktop support WebDAV natively.