WebDrive: A Webmaster's Best Friend? WebDAV Support and More Lee Underwood
WebDAV Support and More
WebDrive also provides WebDAV support. WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a set of extensions to the HTTP protocol that allows users to collaboratively edit and manage files on remote Web servers. Basically, WebDAV allows a person to lock a file, make changes to it, and then unlock it so others can view the file and add revisions, if necessary. The procedure helps to maintain the document's integrity within a workgroup situation.
Program installation and setup for WebDrive are quick and easy tasks. Configuring a network drive is as simple as configuring an FTP connection (and is in many cases easier). We tested the software on a Windows 98 machine and also one running Windows 2000 with a VPN. After having used the software for several days, there were no problems encountered on either machine, but the help file for WebDrive does list application compatibility issues with ZoneAlarm, F-Secure Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, and InoculateIT/E-Trust Anti-Virus. One of the systems we use (the Win98 PC) has Norton Anti-Virus, and there were no compatibility issues experienced.
The software is currently being used by an impressive array of customers around the globe. A sampling of WebDrive's customer base includes Rutgers University; Virginia Tech; Columbia University; the University of Tennessee; Hong Kong Polytechnic University; the University of Wolverhampton (UK); the School District of Fribourg, Switzerland; Hessen, Germany school district; NASA Glenn Research Center; the US Navy Surface Warfare; British Petroleum; Toronto Dominion Bank; Santander Hispano (Spain); and Universo Online (Brazil).
WebDrive is currently available for $49.95, which includes one year of free updates. There are also pricing plans available for multiple users. Help is available within the program as well as online in the form of a knowledgebase, support forums, and email-based technical support.
A Pentium class computer or better with 32MB or more of RAM, a minimum of 40MB of hard disk space, either a direct Internet connection or a 28.8K modem at minimum (56K is recommended), and Microsoft's 32-bit TCP/IP networking component are necessary for WebDrive to run. Operating systems currently supported are MS Windows 95/98/ME/NT v4.0 (Workstation or Server), Windows 2000/XP, and Windows Server 2003.
Overall, WebDrive is a fantastic program and is truly impressive. It makes you wonder why no one ever thought of this before. (Editor's Note: WebDrive's functionality actually mimics that of an older, and since discontinued, program called ftpNetDrive. For those interested in the client, ftpNetDrive's functionality has been integrated into the Internet Neighborhood Pro client.)
Pros: Quick and efficient access to FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV servers; inexpensive; easy to use; makes uploading/downloading files for Websites and other purposes a breeze
Cons: Limited audience – primarily of use only to Webmasters and others that work with FTP and similar servers
