Change Permissions [chmod] with Dreamweaver [Update]
Last April, I reported my findings on how to use Adobe (formerly by Macromedia) Dreamweaver to change the permissions of web files and folders. The versions of Dreamweaver I had used were older, and the only way to accomplish this was to use a command-line interface built into Dreamweaver to enter FTP commands the ol’ fashioned way.
Being, by far, the most popular post with several follow-up comments, I felt it was time for an updated post with all the tips rolled together.
- Any version of Dreamweaver before 8 (MX or prior): Manual FTP commands, found here.
- Dreamweaver 8.0 (MX): The FTP command line was removed from this version. The only way to CHMOD within Dreamweaver is to download and install the extension. [Thanks, bill and eskimo]
- Dreamweaver CS3, CS4 (9.0 and above): The GUI interface for changing persmissions is already included. Just right-click!
The Odd Things People Search For
I noticed today that the word “penis” or a phrase conatining the word “penis” brings the most people to this blog, and specifically the post “The Penis Threat Level [The Daily Show].” While CHMODing with Dreamweaver is still popular, it’s dropped to 2nd place… behind penis.
Just for kicks, here’s the top 10 search terms for the last 30 days in descending order for this blog… the word penis almost doubles the number of hits brought in by 2nd place:
| penis | ||
| meaning of serendipity | ||
| clever ruse | ||
| chmod dreamweaver | ||
| do it live remix | ||
| chmod in dreamweaver | ||
| dreamweaver chmod | ||
| dreamweaver file permissions | ||
| finalizing dvd | ||
| att dsl limits |
How to Change File Permissions With Dreamweaver [CHMOD]
After using Dreamweaver for 6 or 7 years, I’ve always thought it was ludicrous that it didn’t include a function to change file permissions! Dreamweaver is a fairly powerful WYSIWYG editor with an equally powerful FTP client built in, how hard could it be to offer a simple context-menu option for changing the file permissions!? Previous web searches turned up forum after forum, page after page of people lamenting the same thing.
But, ALAS! LIGHT!
I finally stumbled upon a help page from hosting company that – in couple lines – solved the mystery.
Once connected via FTP, (pre MX I believe) open the FTP log from the Window menu of the Site Window. In newer versions this can be done with the site menu in the side bar or in “dual pane” mode by going to View then Site FTP Log.
In the command line, type:
chmod ### /path/to/filename
Where ### is the numerical equivalent of the permissions you wish to assign.
Where path/to/filename is the relative path to the filename.
For example, the change permissions of a file named readme.txt location in your root folder should be:
chmod ### ./readme.txt
-or-
chmod ### public/html/readme.txt
The path depends a lot on your server’s or hosting company’s setup.
Once your realize (as I did) that the FTP log allows you to send any FTP commands, you’ll be able to do anything your heart desires. Though, that still doesn’t explain why in heck Macromedia hasn’t provided some kind of GUI solution for file permissions.
Note: The methods described above apply to Linux / Unix server systems.
UPDATE: Thanks to an astute reader, Danny, it was brough to my attention that Dreamweaver 8 and above provides the ability to change file permissions with a GUI interface by right-clicking on the desired file and hitting “Set Permissions.” So, those of you with Dreamweaver version 8 and above (Dreamweaver CS versions) can ignore the instructions in the post unless, of course, you like doing things the hard way!
UPDATE, May 1, 2009: Head over here for an updated post with all the above and below tips for CHMODing the heck out of your files.
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