Using WebDAV (Neocities) with PCLinuxOS

WebDAV is a relatively new technology for maintaining websites when compared to using traditional methods such as FTP or a web browser interface.

GoDaddy's web servers allow for secure FTP access to maintain hosted websites. The hosting service (and Internet domain provider) also has a browser interface for file management. Neocities also has a browser based file management, but it is more intuitive, since you can drag and drop files from the file managers that come with KDE Plasma 5, XFCE, LDXE or MATE desktops. (I have not tested this with Lumina or WindowMaker, yet.)

WebDAV extends the file system by being able to mount your Neocities account (supporter accounts only) as a network drive, then access your Neocities website as if it were a local directory. You will need to enter your username and password once to mount the website. The connection will be maintained until you logoff the current desktop session, or reboot or shutdown PCLinuxOS.

Installing WebDAV Support in PCLinuxOS

Adding WebDAV support to PCLinuxOS is very simple. Simply install the davfs2 package from Synaptic, and you are all set. davfs2 is a file system driver that implements the WebDAV protocol, and allows WebDAV accounts to be mounted as local disks in PCLinuxOS.

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Accessing Your Neocities (Supporter) Account with Dolphin

Dolphin is a powerful file manager that comes with KDE Plasma 5. When you open Dolphin the contents of your home folder will be displayed as icons.

Just above the icons is the address bar. Click anywhere on the right of the address between the ribbon and the icons to open the dialog to type in the address. Type davwebs://neocities.org/webdav, then enter your username and password to access your Neocities website.

Then, all you need to do is to open another Dolphin window, select the folder where you are developing your website, and simply drag and drop files to the opened Neocities folder in the other window. Your website will automatically update and those changes will be posted to your profile.

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Accessing Your Neocities (Supporter) Accoount with MATE

The MATE desktop has a file manager that is similar to function to that of the file manager windows found in GNOME. (That is because MATE is a continuation of GNOME 2.)

To configure the WebDAV access, select Connect to Server... from the File menu. then select Secure WebDAV (HTTPS).

Optionally, you can make a Bookmark for easier access to your Neocities website.