ProFTP and ShowDotFiles

[edogg]

I've seen threads on various forums saying to add ShowDotFiles on directive to my proftpd.conf file.

When I do this, proftpd no longer works. Any ideas?

(I'm doing this so FTP clients can see .htaccess and .htconf files)

[Infopro]

You don't need to do this on the server AFAIK.

For example, I use CuteFTP. Right click the site in the site manager (menu on left) choose site properties.
Click the "Action" tab at top.
Look for the "Filter" button and click it.
Add a check box for Enable serverside filtering.
Add this to the "Remote Filter" box below.
-a

You'll now be able to see .htaccess and other hidden files.



HTH

[edogg]

I use FileZilla and there is an option to show hidden files as well. However, I have a number of clients using a variety of FTP clients, and I'd prefer to not have to figure out how to accomplish this in each different piece of software.

I did some more digging and found out that ShowDotFiles was deprecated in favor of LsDefaultOptions, where the latter takes any string (such as "-a"). However, I can't get that to work either. Whenever I add that directive to my proftd.conf the ftp server stops working altogether.

Any help is appreciated. :)

[Infopro]

Well the idea of hidden files is a good one. Not all need access to see these files. If they delete the wrong one, you're the one who has to try and fix. (just my opinion)

I've been at it for a few years now and only had 2 people ever ask me about it. I installed the clients they use, and explained how to "unhide" them once I figured it out.

Unhiding for all users wouldn't be advisable IMO.

[edogg]

In most scenarios, I would agree. However, all of my "clients" are web developers, so they all (a) should know what they are doing and (b) need to be able to see things like .htaccess, etc.

Granted, you could use the same argument against me and say "If they're all developers they should know how to make their FTP clients show hidden files." Point taken. However, I would prefer the path of least resistance. In this case, that is enabling ShowDotFiles at the server level. Does anyone know how to do this?