I also use a localhost normally, but with PowerCMS it is so much easier to start with a remote database.
It is possible at the hosting company I use, see attached image.
So as you can see, the remote CMS database content is available in the local dreamweaver website. Only, it looks like PowerCMS is looking for a localhost by default while there is only a remote database. D:\xampp\htdocs, is the location of phpadmin local.
Warning: mysql_pconnect(): MySQL server has gone away in D:\xampp\htdocs\website\Connections\PowerCMSConnection.php on line 9
<?php
# FileName="Connection_php_mysql.htm"
# Type="MYSQL"
# HTTP="true"
$hostname_PowerCMSConnection = "www.url.nl";
$database_PowerCMSConnection = "left out";
$username_PowerCMSConnection = "left out";
$password_PowerCMSConnection = "left out";
$PowerCMSConnection = mysql_pconnect($hostname_PowerCMSConnection, $username_PowerCMSConnection, $password_PowerCMSConnection) or trigger_error(mysql_error(),E_USER_ERROR);
?>