Using EverWeb in The Cloud

The growth of Internet Cloud based services has been a boon to many people who now have the flexibility to work either in the office, at home or on the road. Cloud based services also make collaboration easier than ever. EverWeb developers who work in a mobile-centric way, or need to collaborate on website projects with others, can take advantage of Cloud based services. Working where you want has never been easier…

The best way to collaborate or share EverWeb project files is by using Cloud based drives such as Dropbox or iCloud as both offer easy, flexible and cost effective ways to work in anywhere, anytime.

Sharing EverWeb Project Files in The Cloud

1. If you are going to be using Dropbox it must be installed on all the computers you want to share EverWeb Project files with. If you try to open an EverWeb Project file through www.dropbox.com in a browser window it won’t work properly. Once you’ve installed Dropbox on your computer, the Dropbox folder location is added to your Favourites in OS X’s Finder window (see screenshot below.)
2. If you’re using other Cloud services, such as Apple’s iCloud Drive, make sure it’s been installed and configured properly, then log in to the service.
3. After installing and logging in to your Cloud service, the next step is to locate the EverWeb Project file you want to share. When you create an EverWeb Project you give it a name, but this is really only an alias. The actual Project filename is a randomly generated alphanumeric name with a ‘.everweb’ file extension.
4. To locate the Project file, go to the EverWeb Projects Window where all your Project files are listed. Click on the up/down arrows to the right of your Project’s name.
5. From the menu select ‘Show On Disk…’
6. You’ll see the Project file selected in the Finder window. Drag and drop the file to your the Cloud storage location. Typically the location is automatically added as a Favorite to the Finder window in OS X when you install your Cloud based service e.g. ‘Dropbox’, ‘iCould Drive’ etc.
7. Once you have dragged and dropped the file in it’s new location, go back to EverWeb, close the application and relaunch it (or just close and reopen the Projects Window.) This refreshes the Projects Window and you’ll notice that the Project file you just moved is no longer listed.
8. To access the Project file you just moved, go to it’s new Cloud location using OS X’s Finder window. Double click on the Project file name and it will open in EverWeb.

When moving EverWeb Project Files into the Cloud, it’s a good idea to first create a folder for it using the Project File’s (alias) name.

Tips on using EverWeb Projects in The Cloud

1. EverWeb Project filenames are randomly generated when you create a new Project. In EverWeb itself an alias is used, initially ‘NEW WEBSITE’ until you change it. When accessing the Project file from The Cloud, you want an easy way to find the Project file using it’s alias rather than it’s real file name. To do this, create a folder in The Cloud using the Project’s alias name. Drag and drop the Project file in to this folder using the instructions above. This approach makes Project file easier to find especially when you have more than one Project stored in the Cloud. In the screenshot above, our Project alias is ‘Recruitment Co’ so we created a folder with the same name and dropped the Project file there for ease of use.
2. When sharing a Project file, or when using it yourself on more than one computer, only have it open on one computer at one time. If you move to another computer, close the Project file on the first machine before opening it on the next computer.
3. If you’re using any third party widgets install them on all the computers you are going to be using. If collaborating with others, check with your third party vendor about licensing and sharing third party widgets!
4. The Project File may look different on different computers due to differences in screen sizes and resolutions. You may need to expand or contract the Project file window when you open it.
5. If your Project file uses widgets, you may need to manually refresh the widget if it doesn’t automatically refresh (i.e. looks too large or small) on screen.

Putting your EverWeb Project file in The Cloud allows you to work from almost anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. Whilst there are some caveats to it’s use, it’s a great way to remain productive when in the office, at home or one the road!

Got a question or comment about using EverWeb Project files in The Cloud? Let us know below!