<html> <!--AD_DND--> <head> <title>ArsDigita Community System FAQ</title> </head> <body bgcolor=#ffffff text=#000000> <h2>ArsDigita Community System FAQ</h2> by <a href="http://teadams.com">Tracy Adams</a> (inspired by <a href=http://www.alexium.com/wab/arsdigita.html>John Lowry's The ArsDigita Platform</a>) <hr> <ul> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#free_db_enhancers>I have a site made of static html pages. How can I add some collaboration features without setting up my own machine?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#infrastructure>I would like to use the ArsDigita Community System. How do I set up the basic infrastructure (Unix/Linux, Oracle, and AOLServer)?</a> <li> <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#architecture_install>I have a machine with Unix/Linux, Oracle and AOLServer installed. How do I install the ArsDigita Community System and the ArsDigita Server Architecture?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#acs_docs>Where can I find ArsDigita Community System documentation?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#bboard>I am stuck. Where can I ask a question?</a> <li> <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#teaching>What teaching and training is available? How can I sign up?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#resources>What resources are available for learning and reference?</a> <li> <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#ticket>Where do I make feature suggestions, report bugs, and look for patches?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#isps>What ISPs and independent developers support the ArsDigita Community System?</a> <li><a href=arsdigita-faq.html#contribute>How can I contribute to the development of ArsDigita Community System?</a> <li> <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#company>Where can I learn about ArsDigita, the company?</a> <li> <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#employment>How can I work at ArsDigita?</a> </ul> <a name=free_db_enhancers> <h4>I have a site made of static html pages. How can I add some collaboration features without setting up my own machine?</h4> Some of the basic ArsDigita Community System modules are available as free services. Just sign up for on of them by filling out a form. <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com/spam/index.tcl>Spam</a> will allow you to maintain mailing lists <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/>LUSENET</a> will run a discussion group for you <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com/boohoo/index.tcl>BooHoo link manager</a> will allow your users to post related links <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com/com/home.html>Loquacious</a> will allow your users to post comments <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com/click/>clickthrough.net</a> will track how many people follow links from your site to sites that you recommend <li><a target=faq_example href=http://uptime.arsdigita.com/uptime/>Uptime</a> will monitor your server and notify you when it is unreachable <li><a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/voxpopuli/>Vox Populi</a> will allow you to add polls to your site <li><a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/telegraph/>Telegraph</a> will allow forms on your site to send email </ul> </ul> See also: <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/collaboration.html>Adding collaboration to a Web Site</a> without buying or maintaining an RDBMS and <a target=faq_example href=http://www.greenspun.com>Free Services For Web Publishers</a> <a name=infrastructure> <h4>I would like to use the ArsDigita Community System. How do I set up the basic infrastructure?</h4> To use the ArsDigita Community System, you need a computer with Unix or Linux, Oracle, AOLServer and the Oracle driver for AOLServer installed. <p> Sean Yamamoto's <a target=faq_example href="http://members.home.net/seanyama/linux/acs-on-linux.html">Building an RDBMS-backed Linux Web Server</a> provides the following guides for those taking the Linux (free) route: <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://members.home.net/seanyama/linux/linux-achiever.html">Installing Red Hat Linux on a PC</a> - Version 5.2 for Intel</li> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://members.home.net/seanyama/linux/aolserver.html">Installing AOLserver web server software</a> - Version 2.3.3</li> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://members.home.net/seanyama/linux/oracle8.html">Installing Oracle8 database software</a> - Version 8.0.5 Standard Edition</li> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://members.home.net/seanyama/linux/aD-driver.html">Compiling and configuring the ArsDigita Oracle8 database driver for AOLserver</a> - Version 1.0.3</li> </ul> Nathan Wallace's guides: <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.e-gineer.com/e-gineer/instructions/install-oracle805-on-redhat5x.phtml>Installing Oracle 8.0.5 on Red Hat Linux 5.x</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.e-gineer.com/e-gineer/instructions/install-aolserver233-on-redhat5x.phtml>Installing AOLserver 2.3.3 on Red Hat Linux 5.x</a> </ul> Other resources: <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://jordan.fortwayne.com/oracle/index.html>Oracle 8.0.5 on RedHat Linux 6.1/6.0/5.2</a> (Fort Wayne Newspapers) <li><a target=faq_example href=http://technet.oracle.com/tech/linux/index.htm>Oracle 8i on RedHat Linux 6.1</a> (Oracle Technet, registration required) </ul> <a name=architecture_install> <h4>I have a machine with Unix/Linux, Oracle and AOLServer installed. How do I install the ArsDigita Community System and the ArsDigita Server Architecture?</h4> The <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/architecture-install.html>ArsDigita Server Architecture Setup Instructions</a> will step you through installing the <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/community.html>ArsDigita Community System</a> and the <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/arsdigita-server-architecture.html>ArsDigita Server Architecture</a> <p> Along this process, you will use the following guides <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/installation.html>ArsDigita Community System Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/acceptance-test.html>ArsDigita Community System Acceptance Test</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/free-tools/keepalive.html>Keepalive Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://uptime.arsdigita.com/uptime/about.tcl>Uptime Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/glassroom.html>Glassroom Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/free-tools/watchdog.html>WatchDog Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/free-tools/reporte.html>Reporte Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/asa-audit.html>ArsDigita Server Architecture Audit</a> </ul> <p> When upgrading, you should <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/utilities.txt>grab the latest utilities.tcl</a> file. <a name=acs_docs> <h4>Where can I find ArsDigita Community System documentation?</h4> <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/>ArsDigita Community System Documentation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/using-the-acs.html#getting>Getting the software</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/thebook/community.html>Scalable Systems for Online Communities</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/using-the-acs.html>Using the ArsDigita Community System</a> <li> <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/installation.html>ArsDigita Community System Installation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/developers.html>Developers Guide</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/procs.tcl>Documented Procedures</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/doc/version-history.html>Version History</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/ticket>Feature requests and bug reports</a> </ul> <a name=teaching> <h4>What teaching and training is available? How can I sign up?</h4> <ul> <li>The <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/teaching/one-day-web.html>One day web course</a> will be offered in several cities. (<a target=faq_example href=http://register.photo.net>Latest schedule and registration</a>) <li> <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/teaching/one-day-acs.html>ArsDigita Community System Conventions</a> are held quarterly in Cambridge and San Franscisco. (<a target=faq_example href=http://register.photo.net>Latest schedule and registration</a>) <li>We conduct <a target=inside_example href=http://photo.net/teaching/boot-camp.html>3-5 week boot camps</a> covering the core skills needed to install, configure and extend the ArsDigita Community System and the ArsDigita Server Architecture. These are available to people who: <ol> <li>are planning to do something for a non-profit organization <li>are willing to commit their time to support or extend the ArsDigita Community System and its community <li>are MIT students <li>are considering employment at ArsDigita </ol> If interested, please mail your application (reason you want to attend, resume, and plans for using ACS) to <a href=mailto:teadams@mit.edu>teadams@mit.edu</a>. <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/teaching/one-term-web.html>Software Engineering for Web Applications</a> is taught by ArsDigita at MIT and Caltech. Students cover several problem sets and then complete a <a target=faq_example href=http://6916.lcs.mit.edu/project-gallery.html>gallery of student projects</a>. Materials for this course may be used at other Universities or for other programs at no charge. </ul> See also: <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/teaching/>Teaching</a> <a name=resources> <h4>What resources are available for learning and reference?</h3> Free teaching material from ArsDigita <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href="/wtr/thebook/">Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing</a> <li><a target=faq_example href="/sql/">SQL for Web Nerds</a> (tutorial for the SQL language; links into online Oracle docs for completeness) <li><a target=faq_example href="http://6916.lcs.mit.edu/manuals/tcl/">Tcl for Web Nerds</a> (tutorial for the Tcl language; in rough shape right now and you might consider using the Welch book (below)) <li><a target=faq_example href=/doc/common-errors.html>Common errors</a> made by database backed web developers <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/wtr/oracle-tips.html>Tips for using Oracle</a> <p> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://photo.net/teaching/psets/ps1/ps1.adp">Problem Set 1</a> (basic db-backed Web sites; AOLserver, Tcl, SQL) <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%201>Question and answer forum</a> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://photo.net/teaching/psets/ps2/ps2.adp">Problem Set 2</a> (extending the ArsDigita Community System, Web sites to support collaboration) <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%202>Question and answer forum</a> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://photo.net/teaching/psets/ps3/ps3.adp">Problem Set 3</a> (content management) <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%203>Question and answer forum</a> <li>coming soon: two more psets <li>coming soon: project ideas <p> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://photo.net/teaching/manuals/usermanual/">Using the LCS Web/db computing facility</a> (helps your sysadmin/dbadmin set up the server and then helps students get through the mechanics of logging in, connecting to Oracle, etc.) </ul> <p> Other online resources <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.aolserver.com>AOLServer Documentation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://hojohn.photo.net/ora8doc>Oracle Documentation</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://sdss.fnal.gov:8000/dss/doc/www/tcl/tcl.commands.html>Tcl Quick Reference Manual</a> </ul> <p> Recommended purchases <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1565922603/photonetA/">Unix Power Tools</a> (helps students with the mechanics of the Unix shell and Emacs) <li><a target=faq_example href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=007882396X/photonetA/"> Oracle 8: The Complete Reference</a> (more concise than the online Oracle docs) <li><a target=faq_example href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0136168302/photonetA/">Practical Programming in Tcl and Tk</a> (Brent Welch 1997; Prentice-Hall;) <li><a target=faq_example href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0961392126/photonetA/">Visual Explanations : Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative</a> (Edward Tufte 1997; Graphics Press; order directly by calling (800) 822-2454) - general design principles </ul> <a name=bboard> <h4>I am stuck. Where can a ask a question?</h4> <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%201>Problem set 1 questions</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%202>Problem set 2 questions</a> <li> <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Problem%20Set%203>Problem set 3 questions</a> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=web/db>Database backed web site </a> discussion forum </ul> <a name=ticket> <h4> Where do I make feature suggestions, report bugs, and look for code patches?</h4> Use our <a target=faq_example href=http://photo.net/ticket>online ticket tracking system</a> (part of ACS). <a name=isps> <h4>What ISPs and independent developers support the ArsDigita Community System?</h4> (aside from ArsDigita.com) <ul> <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.furfly.net>Furfly</a> offers ACS-based services and hosting. <li><a target=faq_example href=http://www.alexium.com>John Lowry</a> has written a few modules. <li><a target=faq_example href=http://acs.lavsa.com/>Sebastian Skracic</a> has made an InterBase port </ul> We know that this list isn't complete; send email to Tracy to add yourself. <a name=contribute> <h4>How can I contribute to the development of the ArsDigita Community System</h4> Please contact <a href=mailto://teadams@mit.edu>teadams@mit.edu</a> if you would like to contribute. We need: <ul> <li>ACS buddies: Many interested users need a little help with the first installation and initial questions. <li>Module experts: We need experts for both existing and modules in development to suggest extensions, test new releases, write documentation and answers questions. <li>Module creators: <a target=faq_example href=http://www.alexium.com>John Lowry</a> has already created and publicized new modules. <li>Teachers: Use our <a href=arsdigita-faq.html#teaching>teaching materials</a> to teach your company, friends, or at a University. </ul> <a name=company> <h4>Where can I learn about ArsDigita, the company?</h4> See <a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com>arsdigita.com</a> <a name=employment> <h4>How can I work at ArsDigita?</h4> See <a target=faq_example href=http://arsdigita.com/jobs.html>Job Openings</a>. </ul> <hr> <a href="http://teadams.com"><address>teadams@mit.edu</address></a> </body> </html>