Making FTP like a normal drive

[icemanjc]

What I am trying to do is connect to an FTP server in Mac OS X then make it like a drive, so I can edit files in programs while leaving the file on the server. The problem is that Mac OS X only allows you to do read only. So my question is how do I make it read and write within Mac OS X so I can pull it up in a program and freely edit it.

[Giaguara]

Finder limitation... so use a different ftp program.
Or Terminal.

[ElDiabloConCaca]

What Gia said is true -- you cannot make it read/write like a "normal drive." Finder-mounted FTP shares are read-only, and there is nothing you can do about it, period.

There are programs out there that support read/write FTP, and if you're looking to just do simple text-editing, then you can use TextWrangler (free) or BBEdit (commercial) to edit text files directly on FTP shares.

If your FTP server supports SFTP as well, then you can use MacFUSE to mount an SFTP share as read/write, or, as a "normal drive."

http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/

Apparently, you can use MacFUSE to do regular old FTP as well:

http://anoved.net/2008/03/macfuse-ftp-and-you/

[icemanjc]

I'm trying to do things such as edit pictures and stuff. There are two of us accessing the server so I'm trying to make it easier for the other person so that when he just saves it that is all he will have to do.

Ok, so I'm going to go with MacFUSE, so now how do I mount an FTP server with MacFUSE?

[ElDiabloConCaca]

The second link I provided has step-by-step instructions on exactly how to do just that.

Windows has supported desktop FTP for a while. It’s a useful way to save or retrieve files from other computers. Unfortunately, via the Finder’s Go→Connect to Server menu item, Mac OS X can only mount FTP servers as read-only volumes. One of many excellent third-party FTP clients is required to upload files.

A streamlined solution is available.

Download and install MacFUSE-Core (for Tiger or Leopard)
Download and run MacFusion (a basic front end)
Choose Quick Mount→FTP from the MacFusion menubar item and enter a server address and username. The server is mounted as a regular volume. Not only can you write to it from any application, but all the jazzy Leopard Finder tricks like Quick Look and Cover Flow view work, too (if you’ve got the bandwidth).

So, the steps are as follows:

1) Install MacFUSE.
2) Install MacFusion.
3) From MacFusion's menubar, choose Quick Mount→FTP.
4) There is no step 4.

[icemanjc]

Alright, it works great! Thanks for all the help!

[MisterMe]

It isn't free, but Interarchy mounts FTP sites just like any other network volume. It allows the user to use the Finder or any other application to access files on the site.