Details of the installation instructions
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1. Unzip the file "auctionxxxxx.zip".
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Place the file "auctionxxxxx.zip" in any directory on your computer and then
unzip it. The unzipped directory structure is the same structure of the program,
as it should installed on your server.
The executable files comes with *.pl extensions. This is the extension required
on most hosting servers for executable files.
2. Edit the file "config.pl" with any text editor
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Open the file "config.pl" in the auction dir with any text editor or notepad and
edit all variables in the file: Examples and the help is above each of the
settings.
3. Edit the file "yourphoto.pl" with any text editor
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Open the file "yourphoto.pl" in the auction dir with any text editor or notepad
and edit all variables in the file: Examples and the help is above each of the
settings.
4. Edit the auction.pl file in the auction dir using a normal text editor
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Open the auction.pl dir with any text editor or notepad and at the top of the
files find this:
require "config.pl";
now define the server absolute path something like this:
require "c:/your/path/cgi-bin/auction/config.pl";
5. Transfer all files and directories to you server using the same directory
structure as the auction files your unziped some where on your computer.
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These instructions assume that you have FTP access to the server and that you
have some basic knowledge of how to use an FTP program to go to different
directories on your site, create directories when necessary, and to upload files
to your server. If you do not have this basic knowledge, we recommend getting an
FTP program such as WS_FTP (http://www.ipswitch.com/) or CuteFTP (http://www.cuteftp.com/)
and reading its documentation thoroughly in order to learn how to use such
programs.
When uploading all of the files for the auction program, be sure to set your FTP
program to transfer in ASCII mode. The cgi scripts will NOT work if you transfer
then in binary mode.
Directory structure example:
web site root -----
|
|--- cgi-bin -------------------
| |
|-- auct-photos-- |
| |--temp |
| |
|-- auction-images |-- accounting--
| | |-- userbilling
|-- music | |
| |-- cards --
| |-- cards
|-- auction --
|-- auctiondata
(special note): all other dirs and data files are created by the auction
6. Change permissions on all files and directories. Setting permissions is the
very important for the program to run correctly on NT server you will have to
get your hosting server to set the permissions listed below for you
============= All Windows Based server Permission Settings ===================
all these dirs and files needs the permissions set as spesified below:
/cgi-bin/auction/ = read/execute and all files under this dir
/cgi-bin/auction/auctiondata/ = read/write/execute and all dirs under this dir
/cgi-bin/accounting/ = read/execute and all files under this dir
/cgi-bin/accounting/userbilling/ = read/write/execute and all files under this
dir
/cgi-bin/accounting/autoinvoice/ = read/write/execute and all files under this
dir
/cgi-bin/accounting/cards/ = read/write/execute and all files under this dir
/auct-photos = read/write/execute and all files under this dir
/auct-photos/temp = read/write/execute and all files under this dir
/music = read/execute/ and all files under this dir
===================================================================
7. Run the auction program from your browser.
---------------------------------------------
If you finished all the previous installation steps correctly, you will be able
to run the auction program from your browser. To to so, please point your
browser to the "auction.pl" program on your server as follows:
http://www.yourdomain.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl
where "www.yourdomain.com" would be replaced by your actual domain name.
If the program run and you see the main categories page, the congratulations,
and thanks for this great gob.
8. Test the program settings.
---------------------------------------------------
Now the program is running, but to make sure that all the installation process
completed correctly, you need to test all the program functions. Test every
single function, as it requires the use to do. For example, This will help you
detect any problems with the program installation, for example, files not transferred
in the correct mode, permissions not set, directories not created.
=================================
===== Uploading CGI Scripts =====
=================================
Common Reasons For 500 Error Messages:
1. It is vitally important that you use the proper permissions for all cgi
files. All
executable cgi scripts must be chmod to 755. All folders that contain cgi
scripts (Including the cgi-bin and any folders within the cgi-bin) must be chmod
to 755. Dirs and files that your cgi script writes data to must be chmod to 777.
2. If you use an FTP program to upload your scripts, you must use ASCII mode. If
you use 'Binary', your script will not work.
3. Wrong absolute server path setups in config.pl file.
Download This is a script that displays your absolute server path statements,
and path to the sendmail exc.. need for the setup of most cgi perl scripts
===================================
===== FAQ and Troubleshooting =====
===================================
Q. I keep getting this Error: The item number may not contain any non-numeric
characters.
A. This problem happens when using FrontPage the backup dir's _vti_vnf it
creates in the auctiondata dir is a bad deal cause the auction tries to read
them as a category and can't, and also when FrontPage makes the backup dir _vti_vnf
and uploads the backup files to it there saved in the wrong format. So it you
have this error you need to delete all the _vti_cnf dirs in your auctiondata dir
and under all the categories dir under the auctiondata dir that FrontPage
created. So if your going to use FrontPage to update the webpages on your site
set it up not to include the cgi-bin dir most cgi scripts that make data files
have a problem with this, and not every time.
Q. How do I find my absolute server path statement info that goes here in the
config.pl file
$config{'basepath'} = '/your/server/path/cgi-bin/auction/auctiondata/';
A. You can get your server absolute path statement and other info needed like
the path to the servers sendmail need by the script by using a server test
program like this one avable for download by clicking here. You need to place it
in you cgi-bin dir on your server and give it the permissions of 755, then run
it VIA your browser http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/envtest3.pl
Q. My users keep getting the error message:
Error:
We were unable to write to the user directory.
A. This is usually caused when a user is trying to bid on an item or post an
item and the server permissions are not set correctly. Be sure the folder you
made has write permissions
and the path is correct in the script. You also should not put any files or
directories in the folder you created. The script will create them
automatically.antiques1 => '<!--antiques-->Glassware',
Q. Whe a user is uploading an image to be posted with their auction item they
keep getting the error message:
Error:
Can't open /your/server/path/auct-photos/temp/file.gif
A. This happens if the server path statements in the image upload setup section
are not set up correctly in the config.pl file and or the yourphoto.pl file, and
or the permissions not set correcty on the auct-photo dir and the auct-photo/temp
dir both of these have to have the permissions of 777 or (read/write/execute on
an NT server)
Q. Mail is not sent to the user when a new user registers or then a auction item
closes. Why?
A. Check the server path to your servers sendmail program, find this in your
config.pl file and make sure this points to your servers sendmail (you may need
to ask your host for the path to their sendmail.exe)
$config{'mailprog'} = '/usr/sbin/sendmail';.
If your on a NT server then most of these use a program like Blat.exe so then
you'll need to define this line in your config.pl file instead of the above
sendmail. (comment out the one you do not use using the #)
$config{'smtp_addr'} = 'mail.your.com';
Q. When viewing some auction items I get a plug in error?
A. If you have the deluxe auction version this is caused by when the auction
item was posted you selected music background and there is no music files in the
music dir so the plug in could not find the music file and gave a plug in error.
the auction does not come with music files you have to get your own NON
Copyrighted music files.
Q. New Banner placed for rotation but still not displaying a banner?
A. Check the permissions on the rbanner.pl file it need the permissions of 755
(read/execute on an NT server)
Q. The accounting is not saving the user info and or billing?
A. Check your /accounting/userbilling/ dir permissions it needs the permissions
of 777 or (read/write/execute on an NT server) The files in your accounting dir
are set to 755.
Q. How does the user payments work?
A. If you have a payPal account or PayPyCheck, AuthorizeNet you can setup and
turn them on in the config.pl file like this PayPal example below:
##################################################
# PayPal.com setup turn $config{'paypal'} = 'off'; to on if
# you have a PayPal Account
$config{'paypal'} = 'on';
$config{'paypalacc'} = 'youaccountname@your.com';
Now when a user logs in to there user accounting by clicking this link: (Make A
Payment or View Your Account) the payment options you have turned on (setup) in
the config.pl file like PayPal will be displayed as a payment option. now the
user can make a payment using this link, after payment has been made they will
be taken back to the auction site and there accounting will have been credited
by the amount they just payed.
Now for another option: This checks for Negative Balance, be for a user can post
they must have a min balance you define in the config.pl file.
##############################
# This checks for Negative Balance
# be for a user can post they must
# have a min balance you define
# set to on or off
$config{'AccountStatus'} = 'off';
##############################
# If the above is turned off this
# has no effect
# This checks for Negative or Positave Balance
# be for a user can post they must
# have a min balance you define
# define the min amount like:
# example -5.00 for a max - ballance or 5.00 for a positive
$config{'MaxAccountBallance'} = '-5.00';
Now if this is turned on and the user is below this amount you setup, the user
is taken to a payment screen to make a payment to there account using the
payment options you setup in the config.pl file like PayPal before they can post
a new auction item.
Q. How do I make new/different categories?
A. Edit the config.pl to point to new categories. The directories listed will be
automatically created by the script. Each category should be listed like:
###############################################
#
# EXAMPLES OF CATEGORY AND A SUBCAT AND SUB-SUBCAT
# %supercat = (
#
# antiques => 'Antiques', # Sub Category
# antiquesart => 'Art', # Sub Category with a Sub Category
# antiquestables => 'Tables', # Sub Category with a Sub Category
# );
#
## Define your sub categories here ############
#
# %category = (
#
# homes=> 'Homes', # No Sub Category
#
# antiques01 => '<!--antiques-->Antiques', # Sub Category dir
# antiques001 => '<!--antiques--><!--antiquesart-->ART', # # Sub Category with a
Sub Category Dir
# antiques0001 => '<!--antiques--><!--antiquetables-->Tables', # Sub Category
with a Sub Category Dir
# );
#
###############################################
Q. How do I edit or remove entries from the auction before the auction closes?
A. The system administrator may edit or remove items from the auction at any
time. Just use the URL:
http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=admin
The administrator password is defined in the config.pl file.
Q. How do I edit or remove registered users?
A. The system administrator may edit or remove registered users at any time.
Just use the URL:
http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=admin
The administrator password is defined in the config.pl file.
Q. How do I administer users accounting info?
A. The system administrator may view or credit registered users accounting info
at any time. Just use the URL:
http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=adminlogin
Q. Do users need accounts to post a product or place a bid?
A. Maybe... If the $config{'regdir'} variable is defined in the configuration
section then users will be required to register. Random passwords will be sent
via e-mail and user data will be stored in the regdir you specify. If $regdir is
undefined, then users will be presented with the "classic" interface where
registration is not required.
Q. Are closed items retained on the server?
A. Maybe... When an item closes, e-mail is sent to both the winning bidder and
the seller explaining the results. If a closed item directory is specified, the
item will be copied to that directory upon close, Then after X days default is
30 the closed auction items will be deleted from the closed dir along with there
images if one was uploaded.
Q. When is e-mail sent out?
A. E-Mail is sent out when auctions close and when a user registers. E-Mail will
also be sent out when a user is outbid.
Q. I clicked on an item and it displayed the list of items or I clicked on a
category and it displayed a list of categories.
A. When the script is executed, it automatically determines whether the
item/category exists. If it does not, it displays the list. Maybe the item you
tried to access was closed or the item was deleted? Maybe you didn't give your
base directory write permissions so the script could create its directories?
Q. How does the command line for the script work?
A. When called from a web browser, the script can be called
http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl (for the default main page)
http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat (Also for the
default main page) http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat2
(for the type 2 main page) http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat3
(for the type 3 main page) http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat4
(for the type 4 main page) http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat5
(for the type 5 main page)
Rotating Featured Main Displayes http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat6
(for the type 6 main page) http://www.your.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.pl?action=dispcat7
(for the type 7 main page)
Q. What is file locking, and how can I enable/disable it?
In version 1.51 and above, file locking is included to eliminate the risk of
data corruption on high-traffic sites. If two users try to post a bid at the
EXACT SAME TIME, file locking will delay the second poster until the first
poster is finished posting. File locking should be enabled unless your server
does not support it. If you get weird flock errors or your script crashes, try
setting $flock = 0.