How to transfer files most efficiently

Question

Hello
I want to work on a site at work and at home. How should I transfer/update the files each time I switch computers?
Just copy the whole site folder? Do I have to do it within DW? Is this something similer to a "collect for output" so I'm sure to get all the files?
I see a "_notes" folder has been added to my files, what is this?
Thanks
Gretchen

Answer 1

just do like Murray said and sync from each computer when you begin working each day. though when you sync select 'Get newer files from remote' and overwrite local copy if asked.
as far as the work in progress Murray mentioned, that will partly depend on your position in the company, are the the boss/owner or a worker bee, and how much access you are allowed if a worker bee.
if you are working on a file and do not complete it you will have to do one of a few different things,
either copy the files from the local computer (work PC) that your working on at the time to a flash drive or something, and then replace the same file on the other local computer (home PC) when you begin working from that or visa-versa, upload/put file to server when finshed editing
or upload/put the work in progress file to the server overwriting the remote copy, when you sync from the other PC overwrite the local copy of that file when you being working on it again. HOWEVER the hazard of this is that if your site is live to the public an unfinished edit may cause problems. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND THIS OPTION IF WORKING ON A LIVE SITE.
or you can create a directory on the file server that will not effect the site, so long as no script in any files point to that directory it should not effect the site. for example htdocs is commonly the root folder, create a directory OUTSIDE of htdocs maybe something like "work in progress" or "WIP" save/upload WIP files to this directory, and then download to each local pc as needed, upload to the proper htdocs directory when editing is complete.
or if work allows you to connect to the work network from the home PC/laptop? then you can (depending on the type of network) remote in to the work PC and copy the file over to the home PC or visa-versa, or save a copy of the file to the shared folder before leaving each PC and overwrite the local copy when you get on the other.
or if work allows you access to the FTP file manager you could also download the file server copy to the local PC from the FTP file server, wheather its from the sites FTP file manager/back end, or with an ftp app like Wise-FTP. this could be convenient for a WIP directory.
the easy way of work in progress edits depends on what work will allow you to do as well as your personal preference.
If its me I would choose the WIP directory outside of htdocs, but then I am the VP of a new (week old) small LLC, so I can pretty much do what I want and just tell my partner to deal with it.....LOL good thing he's my best friend.