Dreamweaver CS4 projects

[DeaconJoeMac]

I have recently purchased a Mac Pro 2013 ("trashcan") and installed Catalina.  Since I can no longer use my Dreamweaver CS4 on the new machine I am going to purchase the Creative Cloud.  When I do that, what will I need to transfer from my old machine to preserve the projects (sites) I have created (in addition to the root folder/files)?  I'm especially concerned about the settings for the sites as I would like to avoid errors in re-entering all of those manually.

[Jon Fritz · Accepted solution]

The easiest way to transfer sites to a new machine...

1. On the old machine, go to Site > Manage Sites
2. Highlight your sites and click Export

3. Move the Exported .STE files to the new machine
4. Open DW on the new machine and go to Site > Manage Sites > Import to bring in the .STE files

5. Open each site in turn and choose Get (down arrow icon) in the Files window
6. When prompted to "Get Entire Site?" click "Yes"

[DeaconJoeMac]

Thanks -- very helpful.

[Ben M]

The most important thing to transfer would be your site files.  You can quickly make a backup in DW by clicking on Site-->Manage Sites and clicking the sites to export their respective files.  Then just import them in the new DW.  Also bring over your old files as you would any other move from an old PC to another.

Also be aware there have been many changes since CS4 to CC 2021.  If you are reliant on old features (server behaviors, absolute positioning of divs) or some older extensions, be aware that those may cease to work.  You could post an example of what you have now for a review or if you wanted to give us an idea of what you use most in DW we could help you figure out what should be updated on your site, or what you may need to find workarounds for.

[DeaconJoeMac]

Thanks for the suggestions -- I would be particularly concerned about "server behaviors" as I have used that feature extensively to access databases.  Will I need to totally reconfigure those pages?

[Jon Fritz]

"Will I need to totally reconfigure those pages?"

There is no replacement, so there's nothing to reconfigure them to as far as a base installation of DW is concerned. You will need to either learn how to write those scripts/connections yourself, or invest in one of the paid extension replacements from DMXZone or WebAssist.

Server Behaviors have been gone since the first version of CC. Adobe announced a few months back that they were bringing back modern equivalents, but shortly after that, they said the project was being put on hold to fix other problems first..

[Nancy OShea]

"I would be particularly concerned about "server behaviors" as I have used that feature extensively to access databases. "

The code generated by old server-behaviors are NOT compatible with PHP 7 or higher. The old MySQL connections will fail and are not secure.  The code is deprecated and should not be used on modern sites.

Adobe dropped support for ASP and ColdFusion.  Currently, these are the supported file types in DW CC.

File > New (Ctrl+N)

[Nancy OShea]

Can you revert to an older OS or install a virtual machine with an older OS to support your legacy software?

[DeaconJoeMac]

Thanks for your response.  Not sure .... I do still have my old system (El Capitan) and the CS4 software on a separate external drive that I can access -- what is involved in a "virtual machine?"

[Nancy OShea]

A Google search found this.

https://www.imore.com/how-set-and-use-virtual-machine-your-mac

[Ben M]

For all the time we are spending looking for running a virtual machine and other options, could you share a link to your site to let us see whether it is worth the hassle of going through all of this or whether a better option would be a third party extension, or possibly other solutions?

[DeaconJoeMac]

Here is an example of my site:

http://www.deaconstreet.com/ElvisEra/SearchSite/SongSearch1956.php

I tried setting up a virtual machine with "Parallels" and I can have a Mac OS "El Capitan" operating, but I don't know how that gets me to be able to open my old version of Dreamweaver (which is on an external drive as a copy of my old computer's hard drive).

If I purchase an extension program like DMXZone will those extensions still be there any time Adobe does an upgrade?

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

#1 You mean you don't have the CS4 media (disks or downloads) & serial number that you received at purchase?  If not, nobody can help you because CS4 is discontinued and no longer sold anywhere.

#2 No.  When you upgrade, 3rd party extensions must be re-installed or migrated to the new version.

WebAssist's MySQLi (improved) extension is very similar to the deprecated server-behaviors in DW.  It would probably be more familiar to you than anything DMX Zone makes including Wappler.

[DeaconJoeMac]

That's right -- I cannot locate the installations for that old software .... that's why I've waited so long to upgrade.  I seems like my best option is going to be the "MySQLi extension" as it will have the benefit of bringing my php up to new standards.  I really appreciate all your help and suggestions and I just hope there won't be too steep of a learning curve as I delve into the Dreamweaver CC.  Again, thanks.

[Nancy OShea]

You're welcome.  Post back when you have more questions.