Updating the Website

***NOTE: Group member must have a webauthor account to edit the website.***

Editing Existing Files

  • Files are located in '/home/specadm/website' path on local machine
  • Use 'gedit' program to open/edit '.php' files
  • Make desired changes to files
  • Save changes in 'gedit'
  • NOTE: Also make any necessary changes in files associated on the website with the updated page (if filenames change, new files are added, links are changed, etc. make sure these changes are reflected on other pages with that information as well)

Adding New Files/Pages

  • Create a new '.php' file with descriptive filename and save in the correct filepath
  • Add necessary code for headers, footers, menus, backgrounds, etc. (can often be copied from an existing file that is in a similar location to where the new page will be placed)
  • Write desired code in page content section of new page
  • Ensure that all menu links/page links/etc. are up to date with the addition of the new page

Loading Files to Development Server via 'ftp' in Terminal Window

  • Open terminal and type: 'ftp webdev.reflec.ameslab.gov'
  • Enter valid webauthor username and password at the prompts
  • Change local directory to website folder: 'lcd /home/specadm/website'
  • Note: Use the 'lcd' command to navigate local directories (on local machine) and 'cd' command to navigate remote directories (on development server)
  • Use 'put filename.type' to transfer a local file to the development server (make sure remote directory is correct using 'cd' command before transfer)
  • Use 'get filename.type' to transfer a remote file to the current directory on the local machine (make sure local directory is correct using 'lcd' command before transfer)
  • Use 'ls' command to list files in the current directory
  • When finished, type 'quit' to disconnect from the remote server
  • Open web browser and go to http://webdev.reflec ameslab.gov/
  • This is the website for the development server-check that all changes appear as desired. If errors exist, go back to the '.php' file in 'gedit' and make necessary corrections and begin transfer the file once again. THIS IS NOT WHAT APPEARS ON THE ACTUAL WEBSITE YET, IT MUST BE PUBLISHED WHEN THE PAGE APPEARS AS DESIRED.

Loading Files to Development Server via gftp (NO LONGER WORKING AS OF SPRING 2007)

  • Open terminal and type gftp
  • When program opens, select 'webdev.reflec.ameslab.gov' as the Host and 21 as the port
  • Enter webauthor username and password and hit enter-program will then retrieve files from the development server in the right box
  • Warning: Session will time out and disconnect if left idle
  • Program has two boxes for transferring files; the left box lists files on the local machine and the right box lists files on the development server
  • Make sure the local filepath (left box) points to the website folder
  • If files in a subfolder of website were changed, change filepath to correct subfolder in BOTH boxes before transferring files
  • Files can now be synchronized by transferring the local file to the development server (use the arrow that points from the local box to the development box)
  • Select 'overwrite' option and click 'ok' in the box that appears to replace the old file on the development server with the new one from the local machine
  • Once the status box at the bottom of the gftp program displays 'Transfer complete' message, check that the file was transferred correctly by looking at the date of the file in the development box
  • Open web browser and go to http://webdev.reflec ameslab.gov/
  • This is the website for the development server-check that all changes appear as desired. If errors exist, go back to the '.php' file in 'gedit' and make necessary corrections and begin gftp process again. THIS IS NOT WHAT APPEARS ON THE ACTUAL WEBSITE YET, IT MUST BE PUBLISHED WHEN THE PAGE APPEARS AS DESIRED.

Publishing

  • Open web browser and go to http://publish.reflec ameslab.gov/
  • Select 'publish a web' from the list of links
  • Enter valid webauthor username and password
  • Select 'Reflec_DocRoot' in publishing projects box and click start
  • Periodically click the status button to check status until the page displays publishing task succeeded
  • Logout and go to http://www.reflec.ameslab.gov/ to ensure that all published changes work/appear as desired