Help Needed Updating Pages with Library Items

[wcamp]

I'd like help learning if I can do something to make my efforts at working with web pages that have library items much easier and more productive. I have two initial concerns.

1.  To update a several pages at once, I go from Tools > Library > Update Pages. The Update Pages window that open has two filtering options: One is the "Look in" menu, which has only two options, "Entire site" and "Files that use." There's no drop-down option to select one of numerous directories in a site. Therefore, my entire site gets examined regarding whether pages having library items need to be updated. Isn't there a way to make that so-called "filter" perform as a genuine "filter"? Might developers plan to improve that limitation?

2.  That same "Update Pages" window cannot be made wider or taller (on MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra)! I have numerous files in directories that cannot be seen until I scroll down to locate them. Many file names have numerous characters that prevent the entire file name from being viewed in that window without scrolling to the right. I hate having to scroll up and down, left and right, to locate files in that short and narrow window. Is there hopefully a way to enlarge that window? Might developers see the need to improve on that limitation?

I hope to receive encouraging news about items 1 and 2. My upcoming inquiries about updating pages with library items will depend on the answers I receive from these two questions.

BTW: Where on this forum do I note that I'd like to be emailed when an answer is made? I can't find that preference option. Thanks, in advance.

[Nancy OShea]

Not meaning to avoid your question but why don't you switch to server-side includes?    Unlike LIs, SSIs can be inserted anywhere, they do not require you to update & re-publish your entire site and they are not proprietary to DW.  

With SSIs, you edit one file & upload it to your server.  Done.   Your server takes care of the rest. Even on small sites, this is a huge time saver.   Once you start using Server-Side Includes, you'll never ever want to use Library Items again.

Alt-Web Design & Publishing: Server-Side Includes with PHP

Nancy

[wcamp]

Nancy, thanks! I appreciate your very prompt e-reply.

I've read your "SSI with PHP" page. While it suggests that the three-step process is easy, I fear that it will be trying for me because I've never used SSI or PHP, and because I've been using library items for approximately ten years, and because my sites have numerous pages. I'm fearful that I'll mess up one or more pages or sites.

Might there be a way that you could, to some degree, hold my hand as I go through the first attempt, perhaps on one of my smaller, less visited sites? I'll give it a try if I could e-communicate with you as needed. What might you suggest?

[Nancy OShea]

It's very simple.  PHP is nothing to be afraid of.  Give it a try on a few test pages.  Upload to server to test results.  Post back to the DW forum if you have any questions.

Nancy

[wcamp]

Hello, Nancy:

I created a TEST page of  site, following the steps shown on your "SSI with PHP" page. I believe that I've made he appropriate entries, however, although DW confirmed to new site setup for the XAMMP server, the new .php page opens without the footer code fragment that I created as an SSI.

Would you please look at my setup screen shot and advise of any error(s)?

Here's my TEST page to examine its markup:

Collection of ANIMUSIC's Best Computer Animation Video Albums | Page 1 of 3

I'm eager to learn how to make this work. Thanks for your suggestion and assistance, Nancy.

[Nancy OShea]

See my screenshots below for setting up a local testing server.

I'm using wamp server and the default web folder is www.  In your case, it's xampp and htdocs.

Servers:  Click the plus sign.

Basic Tab:  Connect using local/Network (not FTP).  Web URL is your localhost *geek speak for your testing server*.

Advanced Tab:  Server Model is PHP/MySQL

Final screen:

Nancy

[Nancy OShea]

Here's my TEST page to examine its markup:

Collection of ANIMUSIC's Best Computer Animation Video Albums | Page 1 of 3

Test page contains an unclosed <./div> tag.

Showing results for http://www.warrencampdesign.com/wcampwebdev/animusic/indexPage1TEST.php - Nu Htm...

Nancy

[wcamp]

Nancy, hi:

Regarding setting up the testing server, I'm obviously not understanding all that you're suggesting with your screen shots. I'll show a screen shot of my latest setup window. Please advise what I've entered incorrectly. Thanks.

For the "Server Folder" field, I've browsed to this pathway, which I entered but is too wide to see it in its entirety in the field window:

/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs

For the "Web URL" field, I entered this:

http://localhost/wcampwebdev/animusic/indexPage1TEST.php/

. . . but it's not correct because when I try to open it I get an "Object Not Found" error message.

Would you please tell me what I need to enter into all the requisite fields? Thank you.

And regarding the two error messages, I cannot figure out what causes them; I've spent a solid hour cutting/pasting/checking, all for nought. Please help me correct both errors. The screen shot below reveals the markup that I entered on lines 177–178, which I believe I got from your "SSI with PHP" site. If I've mis-entered that snippet, please advise. Thanks.

Warren

________

[BenPleysier · Accepted solution]

/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs

I am not familiar with the Mac. On my system I have similar to

C:\Applications\XAMPP\htdocs\[root directory of site]\

For the local Web URL I have similar to

http://localhost/[root directory of site]/

[wcamp]

I'm hoping that Nancy, or someone else in the know, will advise me of what specific entries I need to make in the fields of the server setup windows, as shown in my screen shots.

Alas, my TEST page isn't getting recognized.     (  ; - (

http://localhost/wcampwebdev/animusic/indexPage1TEST.php/

I thank you in advance.

Warren

[Nancy OShea]

What Ben said is correct.

C:\Applications\XAMPP\htdocs\local site folder\

URL: http://localhost/local site folder/

Defining a local server is applied to the site folder; not a specific web page.

Can we assume your local site folder is wcampwebdev?  And it's physically located inside htdocs folder in xampp?

Nancy

[wcamp]

Hello, Nancy and Bob:

In the Site Setup window for the Testing Server, the Server Folder data was derived by clicking the Browse Folder icon. Here's what has been entered (which you cannot fully see in the narrow field for that entry):

/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs/

My screen shot shows that my page's folder — wcampwebdev — is NOT included in the "htdocs" folder of XAMPP.

What must I do to get that folder to be recognized and included in the "htdocs" folder?

Warren

[Nancy OShea]

No xamppfiles required.  Move your site folder into htdocs.

Appplications\xampp\htdocs\wcampwebdev\

Nancy

[wcamp]

Nancy:

I'm feeling the apprehension and fear that I expressed previously about not knowing anything about the .php world.

I have more than 200 websites and web pages in my "wcampwebdev" directory. I'm afraid of messing up everything as a result of making an ignorant move.

Are you telling me to *literally* move the entire "wcampwebdev" site folder into the above-referenced "htdocs" folder of my Applications folder? Or do I simply copy paste, thereby retaining all of my sites and pages in that folder?

And, where and when do I upload this newly "moved" directory and its contents, now and in the future? I haven't a clue what's involved with this undertaking.

Kindly be clear in the step-by-step process you're directing me to do.

Thank you very much.

Warren

[Nancy OShea]

Given your present fear of making a wrong move, I suggest you create a TEST site and put that folder on your testing server so you can see how this all works first.  Once you understand it, you'll be less fearful of moving your production folder into XAMPP.  

This will have no effect on your sites except that you'll need to adjust the local file path in your site  settings from old location to Applications\xampp\htdocs\.  Everything else will function exactly as before. 

When you save files, they will automatically save to your site folder inside XAMPP.

When you upload files, they will go to your remote server.

Nancy

[wcamp]

I've created the TEST site and put the files of the .php page that I created last week inside it.

I've then set up the site and the server site.

Please check my first five screen shots and advise if all are as they should be. If they aren't, what do I do next?

Then suggest what has caused the error message shown in screen shot #6. Thanks very much, Nancy.

Warren

Shot #1 shows my new TEST site in a list of all my other sites. . .

Shot #2 shows the files with the .php file that I've put inside the new TEST root directory. . .

Shot #3 shows the new server that I set up for the TEST directory. . .

Shot #4 shows the setup screen for the Testing Server. The data inside the "Server Folder" field is this:

/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs/TEST/

Shot #5 shows the two new servers that I set up: for the site and for the testing server. . .

Shot #6 shows the error message I get after attempting to upload the new TEST site. . .

[Nancy OShea]

Did you create a TEST folder on your server yet?

And why are you still putting your site folder into xampfiles? 

Put it directly into htdocs.

     Applications\xampp\htdocs\TEST\

Nancy

[wcamp]

Q. 1.  Did you create a TEST folder on your server yet?

A. 1   Yes, as shown in my screen shot #2

Q. 2  And why are you still putting your site folder into xampfiles?

A. 2  For no apparent reason, when I clicked the Browse Folders icon to the right of the "Server Folder" field, I got the pathway shown in screen shot #4! Honest, Nancy! . . . Now I've tried clicking that icon again to see if it still comes up and that bloody "xamppfiles" folder remains included in that pathway despite the fact that that folder is NOT within the pathway! Please see my confirming screen shot below.

Now that I've removed that erroneous entry within that pathway for the Testing Server, I've uploaded the TEST site withOUT getting an error message!

However, when I try to open this .php page . . .

http://www.warrencampdesign.com/TEST/animusic/indexPage1TEST.php  . . .

that page cannot be found.

Hopefully, we're almost there, Nancy. Can you tell what's not yet correct?

Warren

[Nancy OShea]

Right now, there is no TEST folder on the remote domain.

http://www.warrencampdesign.com/TEST/

Can you show me a screenshot of your Files panel in expanded mode?

The Remote server directories on the left and Local files on the right.

If you have a TEST folder, it should be showing on both panels.

Nancy

[wcamp]

I don't know how to open an "expanded mode" of the Files panel.

What I've, with the hope that this is what you're requesting, is to take three screen shots of the Files panel: (1) Local; (2) Remote server; and (3) Testing server.

Of the three, the Remote server shows no files in it, while the other two show all the files.

When I try to upload the directory using the Remote server option, I get this error message. . .

[Nancy OShea]

See screenshots:

Expanded:

You're most likely uploading to some folder outside your server's Root.

Nancy

[wcamp]

I'll contact my host/server to learn how to create place the TEST site correctly.

Meanwhile, how can I set up a preference on this forum to receive emailed notifications of responses to my comments so I can learn the moment that one has been received?

Warren

[Nancy OShea]

TEST folder should be in your server's root directory:  public_html

For email notifications, click the drop-list beside your Avatar on top of this forum.  Select Preferences.   See screenshot.

Nancy

[wcamp]

Thanks for the "How-to" directive of choosing emailed notifications. I reset the preferences and hope to find in my Inbox tomorrow your  response notification to this comment.

Regarding the new TEST site, my host/server activated the side in some way and my TEST page on the new TEST site now opens. Hooooooray!

Regarding what I wrote earlier today, as follows . . .

Q. 2  And why are you still putting your site folder into xampfiles?

A. 2  For no apparent reason, when I clicked the Browse Folders icon to the right of the "Server Folder" field, I got the pathway shown in screen shot #4! Honest, Nancy! . . . Now I've tried clicking that icon again to see if it still comes up and that bloody "xamppfiles" folder remains included in that pathway despite the fact that that folder is NOT within the pathway! Please see my confirming screen shot below.

. . . I saw that that"xamppfiles" entry was still in the DW setup windows for the Testing Server. So I intentionally removed that element from the pathway. But, after I clicked the Save button and the window closed, I reopened it to check and I again see that that stinkin' "xamppfiles" element remains in that field's pathway. What must I do to enter the correct pathway in that field?

[Nancy OShea]

#2 I don't know.  It must be a Mac thing.  Maybe the Xampp for Mac documentation can explain it. 

Did your server-side includes work on the test site?

Nancy