Teaching and research faculty members can request space to develop websites for instructional purposes and to post course information, vitae and related material.
The University provides two resources for the creation of these websites:
- WordPress is simple content management system that allows for easy creation and maintenance of Web pages without needing experience in HTML or other Web coding. Templates/themes and plug-ins are provided to assist with quickly standing up a new site.
- LIONS is a Linux environment where you can manually hand-code Web pages.
Development of instructional/faculty sites in the University's web content management system is not available.
Resources for Legacy Faculty Websites (not using WordPress)
A legacy website is one viewed at a URL like https://ww2.odu.edu/~jsmith or https://blue.odu.edu/~arogers. These sites are managed via the WebDAV protocol using built-in functionality of Windows or MacOS, or using specific software like WebDrive or WinSCP. Previously "WebEdit" or "ODUEdit" was also used but that is no longer an option. All new faculty websites should be built on WordPress but we continue to support existing websites on this system.
If you wish to continue maintaining your legacy website, view the WebDAV Instructions below for specifics on your operating system.
These instructions are for Mac users.
WebDAV is a protocol that allows you to edit files on a website from your computer, as if the files were present on your computer. MacOS has native support for this protocol - no additional software is required. At ODU, WebDAV is only supported for faculty websites and a few other specific websites. University pages in the web content management system and faculty websites in WordPress cannot be managed with the WebDAV protocol.
- In Finder, choose Go > Connect to Server
- Enter your website address. Use the example address below and replace the username at the end with your username. This address is different from the address visitors will use to see your website. Example: https://webdav.odu.edu/~jsmith
- Click Connect
Once connected, you will be able to directly edit your files using the programs of your choice.
If you need assistance troubleshooting these configuration instructions, please contact the ITS Help Desk for support.
- Open "This PC". From File Explorer, you can find This PC in the sidebar.
- Click the "Add a network location" button at the top in the "Computer" tab of the ribbon.
- In the new dialog, click Next.
- Select "Choose a custom network location" then click Next.
- In the address box, enter the URL for connecting to your website with WebDAV. This URL is a little different from the URL you may use to visit your website. Use the example address below and replace the username at the end with your username. Example: https://webdav.odu.edu/~jsmith
- Click Next.
- When prompted for credentials, enter your MIDAS username and password and click OK.
- Change the name for this connection or keep the default name. This name for the connection is only visible to you on your computer.
- Click Next then click Finish.
- That's it! You can now directly edit your files using the programs of your choice. To open this connection again later, double-click on it from This PC or select it in the sidebar of File Explorer.
We recommend following the above instructions to use the native Windows functionality for WebDAV. But if you prefer to use the WebDrive software instead, installation and configuration instructions are below. Do not update WebDrive to a newer version. Our license is only compatible with this version (2019 version 5384).
These instructions are for Windows users. Mac users should follow the MacOS WebDAV Instructions.
WebDrive will open an encrypted tunnel between the client computer and the remote server; giving you secure transmission of critical data over the Internet.
WebDrive Installation Instructions
- Download the WebDrive software. You will be asked for your MIDAS ID and password as this software is only available for faculty and staff.
- Find where the program was downloaded and unzip the file.
- Open the WebDrive folder and double-click "WebDrive+Setup.exe"
- Follow the instructions in the installation wizard to install WebDrive.
- After installation completes, launch the WebDrive software.
- Click the App Settings button.
- In the new window, in the sidebar, click License Information.
- Click the Activate License button.
- In the new window, click the Activate License button.
- Enter the license key in the WebDrive RegCode box. The license key is in a text file included with the software you unzipped.
- After entering the key, an Activate button appears. Click the Activate button.
- A message dialog should appear that says the license is activated. Click OK.
- Click Finish.
- Click OK.
WebDrive Configuration Instructions
- Open the WebDrive software.
- Click the New button in the main WebDrive application window.
- Select Secure WebDAV in the list then click Next.
- In the URL field, enter your website address. Use the example address below and replace the username at the end with your username. This address is different from the address visitors will use to see your website. Example: https://webdav.odu.edu/~jsmith
- In the username field, enter your MIDAS ID.
- In the password field, enter your MIDAS password.
- Click Test Connection.
- If you get an error about the drive letter already being taken, click OK then Close. The click Advanced Settings, and change the Drive Letter to a different letter you are not using. You can see what letters you are already using my opening "This PC". Then click OK and click Test Connection again.
- The log should show you were successfully connected to the site. Click Close.
- Click Next.
- This page lets you change the site name, and offers another opportunity to choose a drive letter.
- The site name is the name for this connection - it is only visible to you.
- Check the box for "Connect at login/startup" if you intend to use this connection again.
- Click the Connect Now button. This should open a new explorer window that shows the files in your website.
- Connection is complete. All open windows can be closed. WebDrive will run in the background. You can open your website to manage the files from "This PC."
If you need assistance troubleshooting these configuration instructions, please contact the ITS Help Desk for support.