Topic Installing Web Publisher on Wildcat WIN Server

 Applies_To askSam Web Publisher

    Version 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, 6.x

Last_Update April 6, 2006

Question

How do I set up the askSam Web Publisher on the Wildcat WIN Server?

Answer  

You have to get the Internet Connectivity Package for WIN Server, and the askSam Web Publisher. You'll need to properly configure the WIN Server, and then install the askSam Web Publisher. The complete steps are listed below.

Resolution

Configuring the Wildcat WIN Server

For the askSam Web Publisher to run on the Wildcat WIN Server, the WIN Server must be configured as a Web server.

1. You must have the WC5 Internet Connectivity Package installed. This is included with Wildcat WIN Server.

2. After installing the Connectivity Package start the wcServer by clicking:

     Start -> Wildcat! 5 -> wcServer

3. Select wcConfig by clicking:

     Start -> Wildcat! 5 -> wcConfig

4. From the Wildcat Configuration Menu select Nodes Settings.

5. Select the Local NODE and click on Edit.

Note: In order for the Web Publisher to work with WIN Server, you must have at least one NODE set to Local.

6. Choose the option to turn on HTTP access.

7. Select OK and Close the Node. Then apply the changes and close the Node Settings menu.

8. Stay in the Wildcat Configuration Menu and select Computers.

9. Highlight the Computer Name that you are using .

(If you are not using a specific computer name, select Default and then select Edit. This will bring up the <default> Computer Configuration).

10. Select CGI Path and enter the path that you have created for you CGI directory.

(If you have not created one, do so now. ie c:\wc5\http\public\cgi) Make a note of where you created the CGI path. You will need it later to install the askSam Web Publisher. Apply the changes and close the Computer Configuration Menu.

11. Exit the Wildcat Configuration Menu.

Installing the askSam Web Publisher

The askSam Web Publisher lets users access askSam databases using a Web browser (such as Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Explorer). You create askSam databases using your version of askSam 3.0. You don't need to install askSam 3.0 on your WIN Server, you install it on the computer where you'll be creating and updating your databases. (Network versions of the askSam database are also available if multiple users need access to the database).

Once you've created a database, you can place it on your WIN Server and the askSam Web Publisher will let users search and browse the database. No complicated CGI programming - no time-consuming HTML conversion.

To install the askSam Web Publisher on you WIN Server:

1. Insert disk 1 of the askSam Web Publisher in your floppy drive.

2. Select Start -> Run

3.  Type: a:\setup.exe

     The askSam Web Publisher Installation Wizard will start.

4. The Install program will ask for the location of your CGI directory. Enter the CGI path.

     For example:  c:\wc5\http\public\cgi

5. The Install program will ask for the location of your graphics. Enter the directory where the WIN Server stores graphics. For example:  c:\wc5\http\public\graphics

6. The install program will ask for the URL for graphics. Enter:  /public/graphics/

7. The install program will ask for the directory where your askSam files are located. Enter the directory on your server where you will store your askSam databases.

8. For the remaining screens accept the default settings.

The askSam Web Publisher is installed and ready to run on your WIN Server.

Viewing an askSam File with your Browser

1. If you have not started the wcServer, start it now by clicking on

     Start -> Wildcat! 5 -> wcServer

2. Choose Start -> Wildcat! 5 -> wcOnline

3. Start you Internet Browser.

4. Enter the URL for your Wildcat WIN Server.

     (If you specified a WWW Host Name use it in the example below instead of 127.0.0.1)

     Enter the URL: http://127.0.0.1/

This should bring up the default page for your Wildcat WIN Server. If the default page does not appear, check that you have entered the correct WWW Host Name, and that HTTP is turned on for at least one Node.

Once you've been able to access the default page for your WIN Server, you can easily access information in any of your askSam databases.  Simply enter the URL pointing to your askSam database.

For example, the URL below would let you access the documentation included with the Web Publisher (the wpubdoc.ask file):

     http://127.0.0.1/public/CGI/as_web.exe?wpubdoc.ask+F

     URL          Description:

     http://      transport protocol

     127.0.0.1    server location (could also be www.server_name.com)

     public/cgi/  directory containing AS_WEB.EXE

     as_web.exe?  starts Web Publisher

     wpubdoc.ask  name of the askSam data file

     +F           views first document in the

Note: If you have defined a WWW Host Name you will want to use it in the example above instead of 127.0.0.1.

Tech Tips

1. Problem: You are prompted for a password before your askSam data is displayed, or you you get an "Unauthorized" message when you try and access the data in your askSam file.

Solution: Check that you are accessing the CGI path correctly. To access the WIN Server CGI directory, you must include the /public/ in the URL - for example /public/cgi/

2. Problem: You are prompted for multiple passwords before your askSam data is displayed.

Solution: You've probably entered an incorrect URL for graphics in the askSam Web Publisher. To correct this Select Start -> askSam Web Publisher -> WebAdmin. Select Current Machine. The install Settings should be displayed. Change the Graphic URL to /public/graphics/ and then apply the Changes.