A web folder is directory of files on a web server which can be opened at any time and from anywhere. Files can be created edited and deleted within this directory.

A web folder can bring several benefits to a team which uses it. All files relating to the team are stored in this web folder. This means that everyone has access to the latest version, and any updates can be made directly to this file. There is no confusion with different versions of the document being on different hard discs.

A web file served by kOOL may be used in Windows, Mac OSX, as well as under unix like systems.

Accessing a webfolder

An SSL connection is recommended, using https, so that the kOOL password is encrypted when it is passed over the internet. The login data is the same as the kOOL user name and password.

Windows

It is possible to access a kOOL web folder using Windows 98 or later. Use a path like the following to access it:

http ://kool.gemeinde.ch/webfolders/NAME

https://kool.gemeinde.ch:1234/webfolders/NAME

The hostname will depend on the specific kOOL installation. For an SSL connection (https) the port number (1234 in the above example) should be entered after the domain name. After the kOOL address, webfolders/NAME should be added, where NAME is the name of the appropriate webfolder.

If you are using Windows Vista you will need the following patch from Microsoft to make webfolders work: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx

Alternatively the webfolder can be opened by internet explorer:
Select File->Open from the menu
Enter the URL as shown above.
Tick the "open as webfolder" tick box, and click OK to confirm.

In Windows, a drive letter can be assigned to the web folder, using for example "Novell NetDrive". NetDrive is free and can be downloaded from here: NetDrive

AnyClient: This freeware application also allows you to access the webfolders if all other means don't work.

With Mac OSX:

The web folder can be opened with Finder in OSX. The dialogue box can be opened using Apple+K, or by selecting "Connect" from the menu, and then the above URL is entered.

OSX does not (at the moment) support direct access using SSL (https), but only alloes an unencrypted connection. This is not recommended. Goliath (http://www.webdav.org/goliath), which is free software may be used to create an encrypted connection.

With Linux/Unix

Webfolders can be mounted as virtual filesystems in Linux, and browsed like normal folders and files. Alternatively an interactive program like cadaver can be used in a similar manner to the ftp command.

Creating webfolders

To create a new webfolder, its name should be defined. Only the characters a-z, A-Z, 0-9, - and _ are allowed, to ensure the highest level of compatibility under all operating systems. Read and write permissions can be assigned. If these fields are left empty, then nobody, not even the creator, will be able to access it.

Access permissions

Read and write permissions can be assigned to each web folder. Write permissions automatically contain read permissions. With read permissions, all files in the web folder, and all folders under it can be opened. These are the permissions one would use to create a normal download, the user may copy the file to their own hard drive, but can not change overwrite or delete the files or directories.

Write permissions allow all subfolders and files to be changed or deleted. It also allows the user to create new files and folders.

Access permissions for subfolders

Access permissions for subfolders of a webfolder may be set separately from the parent folder. The settings for a web folder, in addition to its name, contain the permissions.

If no permissions are created for a subfolder, the permissions from its parent folder are used. This means it is not necessary to set permissions for each individual subfolder, if they are to be the same as the parent folder.

Creating and deleting webfolders

A webfolder may be renamed using the edit icon. However, remember that every user must change the path to this webfolder. Also, the user permissions may be changed whenever necessary.

Webfolders can only be deleted if they do not contain any files. kOOL does not delete any files but just the webfolders if they are empty. The deletion of files is left to the user which will grant protection from unintentional deletion.

Technical Concepts

The web folders in kOOL use WebDAV. It is an extension of the widespread HTTP protocol to allow writing as well as reading of information. More information on this is at www.webdav.org.