[howard.a.s]

Not sure if my question should be in this section, but if I have posted in the wrong place, please feel free to move to the appropriate section.

I have been using my PC, running XP SP2, to FTP some files to a hosting account. As I don't understand very much about the type of set up that I need to carry out once the files are uploaded, I have been following written instructions that tell me to click on the CGI-BIN located inside the folder that I uploaded my files in, and to then click on the file named SET PERMISSIONS, in order to make the necessary adjustments.

With the folder and its files FTP'd to the host account, I have clicked on the CGI-BIN and then SET PERMISSIONS from within the FTP program, but get a windows message that says the .sh extension is not recognised, and that I should perform a web search in order to find software to open this file.

My question is, should this happen? I understood that my P.C should routinely be able to open files with the shell (.sh) extension, so can I assume that there is something wrong with my P.C?

I have looked around on the web for software to download to my P.C that may fix a possible problem reading the .sh extension, but can't really identify what I should download.

Can anyone here help? What could be the problem?

Any advice very gratefully received.

[tomdkat]

Which FTP application are you using? It sounds like you are updating permissions on the wrong file.

Peace...

[Sequal7]

What type of software does your host use? (Windows OS will not chmod) this could be your error, also, python scripts need to be added to the file list and PATHEXT for windows (I think that is the .sh extension is not recognised)

You could try to register the .SH extension as "to be handled
by the python interpreter" and then add .SH to PATHEXT in windows.

[howard.a.s]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I haven't a clue about all of this, other than what I have been following from the educational video that I have been viewing.

Perhaps you can discover more by watching the video that explains how I should set up the site/s, which simply says to upload my site/s to my server, and then to make the necessary alterations.

Here is the link to the video:

http://adsenserealestate.com/are/app...pprentice.html


I am using either NCH Classic FTP, or SmartFTP to upload. Do I need to use specific settings within the FTP program to make the changes?

When it comes to making changes to files such as setpermissions.sh, or other files such as config.php, why can't I do this using a program such as notepad, before I even upload, so the settings are already in place?

[tomdkat]

Ok, attached is a screenshot of NCH Classic FTP. When you right-click on a folder, like cgi-bin, be sure to click on the SERVER side of the window display, as I've indicated in the screenshot. The screenshot doesn't show cgi-bin but I've indicated on which side of the window where you should be right-clicking.

If you right-click on the cgi-bin folder that appears on the right side of the NCH Classic FTP window, do you get a menu? If so, that menu should contain an option where you can change permissions. It might be listed as "chmod", possibly. Don't double-click anything on the right side of the window, only single click or right-click.

Peace...

[howard.a.s]

Apologies for the delay in response. I had such a lot of work to complete over the weekend that I ended up leaving off early last night to take a break.

Thanks for your advice.

I have opened NCH Classic FTP and opened the site that I transferred, which is one of those shown in the video, so the file and folder structure is exactly as described.

I locate the CGI-BIN folder and single right-click on it. I get a menu, but the only options shown in the drop-down are, OPEN, RENAME, DELETE, NEW FOLDER,

If I enter into the CGI-BIN, there is just one file named SETPERMISSIONS.SH, and if I right-click on this I get the option to DOWNLOAD, OPEN, RENAME, DELETE, NEW FOLDER.

Basically, I don't get all the menu options that are described in the video, or those that you speak of in your post.

I read some notes on the web a couple of days ago that said something about this being a problem when a registry error occurs on the P.C. Is this likely, and, if so, can I download any repair program from Microsoft to scan for/replace corrupted/lost entries?

Hope to hear from you.

[tomdkat]

Ok, it looks like NCH Classic FTP does not support "chmod", or the command you will need to change permissions on the remote server.

Try another FTP client, like CoreFTP or maybe CoffeCup FTP.

Peace...

[Sequal7]

To clear things up for me, your trying to set permissions on a file on your remote server or open it locally and edit it?

Filezilla FTP client is very similar to the NCH design one but it does support CHMOD. I reiterate however, your host has to support chmod commands otherwise your exercising futility (Windows hosts wont chmod no matter the client).

[howard.a.s]

Thanks again.

I will certainly give the FTP client Core FTP a try. Is this a cut-down 'lite' version, or is it fully functional?

Here is the page that describes my hosting account functions:

http://www.110mb.com/plans.php

Perhaps you can tell me if CH-MOD is likely to be available, as I don't really know what to look for.

Please note: I have upgraded my account, so all the listed options other than the sendmail function, which I may upgrade if required, are now operational.

Incidentally, and further to my question yesterday, is there a reason why file settings such as SETPERMISSIONS.SH and CONFIG.PHP cannot be adjusted before upload, to save having to carry-out the adjustment process remotely? I don't really understand why this can't be done.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by howard.a.s

I will certainly give the FTP client Core FTP a try. Is this a cut-down 'lite' version, or is it fully functional?

I don't know but for what you're doing (uploading files and changing permissions), it should be just fine.

You could always use the command line FTP client that comes with Windows and issue the "chmod" command yourself but it looks like you're wanting to use a graphical FTP client, which is fine.

Perhaps you can tell me if CH-MOD is likely to be available, as I don't really know what to look for.

They use Debian Linux servers so the ability to change permissions will be available on the server.

Incidentally, and further to my question yesterday, is there a reason why file settings such as SETPERMISSIONS.SH and CONFIG.PHP cannot be adjusted before upload, to save having to carry-out the adjustment process remotely? I don't really understand why this can't be done.

The answer is simple: security. When you upload the files to the server, the server's security needs to be adjust appropriately. Any given file you upload won't be automatically executable since some files won't need to be and it's a big security risk. Besides, the server won't "know" which files need to be executable and which ones won't. It's possible to have non-executable files in the cgi-bin directory. The changes you're having to make are actually standard operating procedure.

Peace...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Sequal7

To clear things up for me, your trying to set permissions on a file on your remote server or open it locally and edit it?

He needs to set permissions on the remote server, per the instructions he's following.

Filezilla FTP client is very similar to the NCH design one but it does support CHMOD. I reiterate however, your host has to support chmod commands otherwise your exercising futility (Windows hosts wont chmod no matter the client).

Since his site will be hosted on Debian Linux, he's covered.

FileZilla is another FTP client I would also recommend but it can be a bit cumbersome. CoreFTP looked a bit more straight forward from what little time I've spent looking at it.

Peace...

[howard.a.s]

O.K, I'll go get the software, install it and give it a whirl. Will let you know how I get on, and a great big thankyou for all your help so far.

Oh, by the way, the Coffee Cup Direct FTP client that I mentioned in an earlier post (not Coffee Cup Free FTP) says that it can actually edit webpages whilst on the server. Do you know if this is something that any freeware FTP client will do, or is it specific to Coffee Cup?

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by howard.a.s

Oh, by the way, the Coffee Cup Direct FTP client that I mentioned in an earlier post (not Coffee Cup Free FTP) says that it can actually edit webpages whilst on the server. Do you know if this is something that any freeware FTP client will do, or is it specific to Coffee Cup?

That's not a common function of FTP clients. Some will offer features like that to distinguish themselves from the competition but the primary use of a FTP client is to transfer files. I would focus on a FTP client that is easy for you to use that handles file transfers in a manner acceptable to you first and foremost.

Peace...

[tomdkat]

3D-FTP rocks! I used to use it a lot and love it!

Peace...

[howard.a.s]

Hi all.

Just to let you know how I've got on, and to ask some further questions.

I downloaded Core FTP and used it to FTP into my 110mb.com account. Unfortunately, when I right-clicked on SETPERMISSIONS, and although more options were available in the drop-down list, CH-MOD/Set Permissions still wasn't offered.

After a bit of a rethink I tried using SmartFTP again, and when right-clicking on SETPERMISSIONS inside the CGI-BIN folder, the drop-down list offered me the option to CH-MOD/Set Permissions. BINGO!

Although the new window that opened when setting permissions looked a bit different to the one shown in the set-up video that I posted a link to in an earlier post (presumably because in the video they were using IpswitchFTP) all the options were there.

So, anyway, I proceeded to carefully set the permissions by typing-in the required 755 and saving.

Next, and as shown in the video, I went to the browser bar and entered the address of the website folder that I'm working on, followed by /cgi-bin/setpermissions.sh, which, according to the video, should then take me to a screen saying 'permissions have been set'.

Unfortunately, it took me to a screen saying that config.php required adjustment. The on-screen message told me what three numerals to enter into config.php.

I used the ftp program to navigate to config.php, and, using the right-click drop down menu and settings option, entered the numbers given (something like 666, but can't exactly remember without going back to take a look). I saved the changes and then tried the address bar url again.

This time I didn't get an error message, nor did I get the correct screen saying permissions have been set. Instead, a download window appeared on screen, inviting me to open/save/cancel, or search for a suitable program to open this file/page with.

I did save the file to my PC just in case, but, as this was the same effect that I got when trying to view the contents of the SETPERMISSIONS file previously, and before using SmartFTP (told you about this in an earlier post) I still wonder if my PC is missing some vital piece of registry/software that should allow me to view such files as standard. I also tried the url in various other browsers just to see if it made a difference, but still no good.

I am going to try this out on another PC, just to satisfy my curiousity as to whether my main PC has a problem.

Moving swiftly on. Despite not receiving the correct message on screen, I decide to proceed by taking the next step on my instuction list.

I typed the name of my site/admin in to the address bar and actually arrived at the admin log-in screen. I entered the login details supplied in my instructions and gained access to the admin area, where all settings can be made.

Problem is, I'm still a concerned.

As you know, this is a site that includes Google Adsense adverts, and in order to have any clicks diverted to my Adsense account, everything needs to be set-up and working properly. In the admin area I need to enter my Google Adsense PUB number, together with the numbers of any other relevant affiliate schemes of which I am a member.
Obviously, entering these numbers is really easy. But I'm worried that if all the other site settings are not 100% correct, this may affect the ability of the site to do its job properly.

Despite the fact I don't seem to see the 'permissions have been set' message, and based upon the fact that I can now gain access to the admin area, would you say that everything is now working correctly? I mean, if permissions were not set properly, would the admin page even be accessible?

Whilst here, I'd just like to pick-up on another point you made in an earlier response.

You mentioned how it's important that configuration adjustments are made when pages are actually on the server, and not before upload, otherwise changes may not be recognised.

Thing is, I have sites that I uploaded to another host, on which adjustments were made BEFORE upload (but only to my Google Adsense code entry). Would this matter?

These sites are still php constructed, but instead of having to enter all details in an admin area, changes to Google Adsense code is made in a folder called INCS - the files inside being ads-top.inc, ads-bottom.inc, rss.inc. These are basic notepad-type files. There is no CGI-BIN or ADMIN folder included with these sites.

Thing is, it's O.K to follow instructions, but if the sites aren't set-up properly due to my lack of knowledge, then I may as well not have put them up on the web at all!

Any feedback gratefully received.