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Getting started with workgroup sites
- Check in and check out. Workgroup site files need to be checked out before they can be edited. This locks the file and prevents others in the workgroup from editing it. The Locked column in the site window tells you which files are checked out and by whom. If a file is available, open the file and begin editing--you're then prompted to check out the file. For others in the workgroup, the Locked column will now show that the file is checked out to you. When you're done editing, check the file back in, and use the comment field to update others on what changes you've made to the file. The Locked column icon is automatically updated to show others in the workgroup that the file is now available for editing.
- File versioning. Whenever you or another member checks in a file, a new version of the file is created in the Workgroup Server database. The file you (and others) see in the site window is the most recent version of the file checked in to the database; however, all previous versions of the file are also stored in the database. You can open previous versions, compare them with the most recent version or your local checked-out version, and revert to a previous version if necessary.
- Shared information. For workgroup sites, you can use the To Be Edited column and Completed column in the site window (Files tab) to track work needed on particular files. (To edit these columns, choose Window > Workflow to open the Workflow palette.) Another source of information is the site window's User Activity tab, which lists all workgroup members with site access and which files they are currently working on.
- Workgroup-enabled clients. You can check out workgroup site files--including images, animations, or QuickTime clips--with Photoshop, Illustrator, LiveMotion, or any application that supports the WebDAV protocol.
- Site backups. During development, the server administrator can easily create backup copies of the Web site. The backups are stored on the Workgroup Server database for easy search and retrieval.
Here's how you get started using workgroup sites in GoLive 6.0:
Install the Workgroup Server
Install and start the Workgroup Server, on a computer accessible to members of the workgroup. (See Adobe Web Workgroup Server Help). The Workgroup Server is ready to use, requires minimal administration, and comes with preinstalled user accounts. Add new accounts as needed for workgroup members.
Create a workgroup site
As with single-user sites, you can use the GoLive site wizard to create workgroup sites. You can create a new, blank site, or create a new site based on an exising folder of Web files. Another option is to convert an existing GoLive single-user site into a workgroup site. Creating a workgroup site places the site structure--site project file, site folders, and any pages or supporting files that make up the site--on the Workgroup Server, and also creates a copy of the site project file and the site folder structure on your computer. This site project file is a little different from the usual GoLive site project file in that it contains login information for the Workgroup Server. Opening a workgroup site project file connects you to the actual site on the server.
Mount a workgroup site
To work on a workgroup site that you didn't create yourself, you need to mount the site on your computer. Mounting is a one-time operation that moves a copy of the site project file and the site folder structure from the Workgroup Server onto your computer (when you create a site yourself this happens as part of the process). After mounting a workgroup site you can open it like any other GoLive site.
Author the site
After you've created (or mounted) a site you're ready to start collaborating with others in the workgroup. The following features make it possible for several users to work simultaneously on the site:
Note: If a file is checked out, you can open it in read-only mode. If necessary, the server administrator can reset the lock on any file to make it available for editing (however, any changes made after the file was checked out will be lost).
Publish the site
For workgroup sites, one or more publishing servers are set up in advance by the server administrator. Any member of the workgroup can publish the site, choosing a server from the preset list. The server administrator can also choose to publish the site using the Workgroup Server Administration tool, or Workgroup Admin. (See Adobe Web Workgroup Server Help.)
