Step 5: Upload Website

File Upload vs WebDAV

Warning! All of your team's website files must be uploaded to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. Files and content cannot be hosted externally; all of your site content (including videos, games, etc.) must be hosted on the ThinkQuest server.

ThinkQuest provides both a web-based File Upload tool and WebDAV access so you can choose the upload method that best meets your needs. You can of course use both tools for uploading files, but choosing a consistent approach is recommended to avoid making mistakes. Below are some points to help you choose which method is best for your team.

Use the File Upload tool if:
  • Your internet connection setup prevents you from using WebDAV correctly.
  • Members of your team are inexperienced with website construction.
  • You are uploading or editing one file at a time, or you are uploading the bulk of your site files in zip format.

Use WebDAV if:
  • You are using HTML editing and web design software (such as Adobe Dreamweaver) that supports using WebDAV.
  • You are uploading or making changes to multiple files and folders at the same time.

File Upload Tool

Warning! All of your team's website files must be uploaded to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. Files and content cannot be hosted externally; all of your site content (including videos, games, etc.) must be hosted on the ThinkQuest server. Before uploading files, please review the technical restrictions ; your site may not work correctly on the ThinkQuest server if files are not named and formatted properly.

ThinkQuest's custom-built File Upload tool allows any member of your team (including students) to upload files to the ThinkQuest server using a web browser. No other software is needed.

Note that the File Upload tool only allows you to upload a single file at a time (it is not possible to upload an entire folder at once). Therefore, if you would like to upload a large number of files (or your entire website), it is recommended that you first compress all of the files into a single zip file.

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To access the File Upload page:
  • The Coach can log in to the ThinkQuest Competition space (using Coach username/password or ThinkQuest Projects username/ password, if applicable) and click Upload Site under the appropriate team name in the My Teams list.
  • All members of the team, including students and the Assistant Coach, can log in to the ThinkQuest Competition space (using team username/password or ThinkQuest Projects username/password, if applicable) and click Upload Site.

The File Upload page consists of the following:
  • The file list in the center displays the top level directory of your site. All of the files and subfolders for your site are listed here in alphabetical order. Note that your index.htm or index.html file should be located within the top level directory.
  • Click the name of any folder to navigate to that folder. The folder path is always be displayed at the top of the file list.
  • Click the name of any file to open that file in a browser window (or other application, if applicable).
  • Next to each file or folder, the Modified column indicates when the file or folder was created or last updated with new content (does not include moving or renaming).
  • Next to each file, the Size column shows the file size in kilobytes. (Folder sizes are not shown.)
  • The Space Used meter at the bottom of the file list shows how close you are to reaching the server space limit allocated to your team.

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To create folders:
  1. Navigate to the File Upload page.
  2. If you want to create a folder within another folder, click the name of that folder in the list. (If you want to create a folder in the top level directory, disregard this step.)
  3. Click the New Folder button.

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  1. Enter the folder name (remember not to use spaces or special characters) and click the Create button.

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To upload individual files (including zip files):
  1. Navigate to the File Upload page.
  2. Use the file list to navigate to the folder where you want to upload the file. (If you want to upload the file to the top level directory, disregard this step.)
  3. Click the Upload File button.

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  1. Use the Browse button to search for and select the file on your computer. Then, click the Upload button.

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  1. If you uploaded a non-zip file, the file will now be displayed in the folder. Please note that if the folder already contained a file with the same name, it will be overwritten.
  2. If you uploaded a zip file, it will automatically "unzip" and all included folders and files will now be displayed.

To move folders or files:
  1. Navigate to the File Upload page.
  2. Use the file list to navigate to the folder or file that you want to move. Please note that if you move a folder, all files and subfolders within that folder will also be moved.
  3. Select the radio button next to the name of the file or folder.
  4. To move the file or folder up into its parent folder, select the "Up a Level" option from the "Put in Folder" menu. Or, to move the file or folder down into a subfolder, select the name of the subfolder from the "Put in Folder" menu.

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To rename folders or files:
  1. Navigate to the File Upload page.
  2. Use the file list to navigate to the folder or file that you want to rename.
  3. Select the radio button next to the name of the file or folder, and click the Rename button.

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  1. In the "Edit Name" field, enter the new name. Remember not to use spaces or special characters.
  2. Click the Rename button to confirm.

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To delete folders or files:
  1. Navigate to the File Upload page.
  2. Use the file list to navigate to the folder or file that you want to delete. Please note that if you delete a folder, all files and subfolders within that folder will also be deleted.
  3. Select the radio button next to the name of the file or folder, and click the Delete button.
    Warning! Please be sure that you want to delete the folder or files, as deleted folders or files cannot be recovered under any circumstances.

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  1. Click the Delete button on the next page to confirm permanent deletion of the file or the folder and all its contents.

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Zip Files

A file compression utility takes a file or group of files and compresses them so that they take up less space and upload more quickly. One of the most common formats for a compressed file is a zip file.

The File Upload tool will automatically "unzip" or extract a zip file as soon as it is uploaded. (Note that the File Upload tool will not extract compressed files in other formats.) Since a single zip file can contain dozens of files, zipping your files can save you the time and trouble of uploading files one by one.

Use caution when working with a zip utility:
  • When zipping files, do not select the folder/directory containing your website. Instead, open the folder that contains your website and select each file and/or subfolder within.
  • Make sure that your index.htm or index.html file is in the top level folder and not inside a subfolder. The File Upload tool will automatically extract your files exactly the way they were when you zipped them.
  • Most zip utilities ask if you want to "include folder/directory names." Make sure to select this option if your website has subfolders.

Once you have created a zip file, use the File Upload tool to upload it to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. (WebDAV will not automatically "unzip" files.)

WebDAV Overview

Warning! All of your team's website files must be uploaded to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. Files and content cannot be hosted externally; all of your site content (including videos, games, etc.) must be hosted on the ThinkQuest server. Before uploading files, please review the technical restrictions; your site may not work correctly on the ThinkQuest server if files are not named and formatted properly.

WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning" and is built into many operating systems (Macintosh OS X and Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP) and some web design software (such as Adobe Dreamweaver). You can use WebDAV to upload and manage files by configuring your computer to access your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. If you have used FTP (File Transfer Protocol), WebDAV will feel familiar. Please note that if your network uses a proxy server, you may have some trouble using WebDAV. Consult your network administrator for help.

To set up WebDAV, you must know your team username, password, and WebDAV URL. To access your team's WebDAV information:
  • The Coach can log in to the ThinkQuest Competition space (using Coach username/password or ThinkQuest Projects username/ password, if applicable), click Upload Site under the name of the appropriate team in the My Teams list, and click WebDAV. The WebDAV URL is listed in the "Server" field (it starts with http://webdav.thinkquest.org).
  • All members of the team, including students and the Assistant Coach, can log in to the ThinkQuest Competition space (using team username/password or ThinkQuest Projects username/password, if applicable) and click WebDAV. The WebDAV URL is listed in the "Server" field (it starts with http://webdav.thinkquest.org).

Additional resources:
Disclaimer: It is the team's responsibility to ensure that a) information on third-party sites aligns with ThinkQuest standards and Rules and b) technology created using third-party tools can be hosted on the ThinkQuest servers and does not otherwise breach the Rules. All links to third-party sites are provided only as a courtesy to make teams aware of additional resources that may be helpful; ThinkQuest does not manage, endorse, or take responsibility for the content on third-party sites.

WebDAV Setup for Windows NT, 2000, ME, and XP

These instructions are a guideline; you may wish to consult the documentation for your specific operating system.

  1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
  2. Click the My Network Places icon in the menu on the left.
  3. Click the Add a network place icon.
  4. You will be prompted to enter a location. Enter your team's WebDAV URL starting with http://.
  5. Click Next.
  6. In the Enter Network Password window, enter your team username and password and click OK.
  7. Click Finish. You will see a Web Folder, which is linked to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. In your Web Folder, you can drag, drop, delete, and rename files the same way you do elsewhere on your computer.

WebDAV Setup for Mac OS X

These instructions are a guideline; you may wish to consult the documentation for your specific operating system.

  1. From the Finder, press Apple-K, or click the menu item Go and then click Connect to Server.
  2. The Connect to Server window will open.
  3. In the "Address" field, enter your team's WebDAV URL starting with http://.
  4. When prompted, enter your team username and password in the appropriate fields.
  5. Your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server is now connected to your computer. Depending on your Finder preferences, it may be displayed on your desktop or through the Finder.

WebDAV Setup for Adobe Dreamweaver

These instructions are a guideline; you may wish to consult the documentation for your specific software version.

  1. Select Site and then Manage Sites.
  2. Click the New button, and then select "Site" from the drop-down menu.
  3. On the Advanced tab, select "Remote Info".
  4. In the Access list, select "WebDAV".
  5. Click the Settings button next to the Access menu.
  6. In the next window, enter your team's WebDAV URL starting with http:// into the "URL" field. Enter your team username and password in the appropriate fields.
  7. Click OK twice to return to Dreamweaver and look for a window called Files, which is usually on the right side of your workspace.
  8. If you do not see your website files (usually they are on the right side of your workspace), select Site and then Manage Sites. Select your site from the menu and click Done.
  9. Connect by clicking the button that looks like two connecting network cables.

Testing Your Site

Important:Test your website on the ThinkQuest server (not just on your local computer) regularly throughout the competition, so that you can see it exactly as it will appear to ThinkQuest Judges. Do not wait until the last minute to upload and test your files; otherwise, you may have limited time to resolve problems prior to the Entry Submission Deadline.

You can test your site using the following methods:
  • File Upload tool: Navigate to the File Upload page and click the Test Site button.
  • WebDAV: Enter your team's WebDAV URL into your web browser's address field.

When testing your site, follow these guidelines to ensure that your entry has the best possible chance of being successful in the competition:
  • After uploading new files or editing existing files, always test your site and ensure that you have not exceeded the maximum file space limit.
  • When you open your site in a web browser, you should automatically see your home page. If you see a list of folders, you do not have an index.html or index.htm file located in the top level of your team directory (how to fix this).
  • If you encounter broken links and images, make sure you have uploaded all files and that links and image references are relative, not absolute (how to fix this).
  • Your website must be functional on both PC and Mac computers and when viewed using Internet Explorer version 7 and Mozilla version 2. In general, it is a good idea to test your site using as many different computers as possible (such as a computer at home, a friend's house, the local library, and a parent's office). Remember that your website will be visited by people from all over the world (including ThinkQuest Judges) who may have access to different computers, browsers, and connections speeds. Also, different browsers may display your site differently.

ThinkQuest Banner

The ThinkQuest Banner is a special file that conveys important information about a website and the ThinkQuest program to visitors of the ThinkQuest Library (visit any site in the Library to see an example).

The ThinkQuest Banner file is added to the home page for your site when it is uploaded to your team's directory on the ThinkQuest server. Note that if the ThinkQuest banner causes any problems on your site, you are responsible for resolving them prior to the Entry Submission Deadline. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us.