install

#========================================================
# MakeBid Auction Software Installation Instructions
#========================================================
# All Add-ons are
# Copyrights (c) 2000 USANet Creations. All rights reserved.
#==========================================================

This file contains the installation instructions for MakeBid Auction Software.
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Details of the installation instructions
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1. Unzip the file "auctionxxxx.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. Open and Edit the file "config.pl" with any normal text editor (Windows notepad is not recomended as it has a large content memory problems)

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Open the file "config.pl" in the auction dir with any text editor 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 and edit all variables in the file: Examples and the help is above each of the settings.

4. Transfer all files and directories to you server using the same directory structure as the auction files your unziped.
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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 ----
| |
|-- music |-- auction ----

5. Change permissions on all files and directories.
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Setting permissions is the very important for the program to run correctly.

Use your FTP program to change files and directories permissions.You may also set permissions from your Telnet program, log into your server using "chmod" command. Here are the required permissions on each directory and file:

in the root html directory:
/music/ dir needs the permissions of (777)
/auct-photo/ dir needs the permissions of (777)
/auct-photo/temp/ dir needs the permissions of (777)

In the cgi directory:
/auction/ dir needs the permissions of (755)
/accounting/ dir needs the permissions of (755)

(Special note): all other dirs and data files are created by the auction and the permissions are set for these by the auction.

Now set the permissions for files in the /cgi-bin/auction/ to (755):

Now set the permissions for files in the /cgi-bin/accounting/ to (755):

6. Run the auction program from your browser.
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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.

7. Test the program settings.
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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.

8. If you have any problems contact USANet Creations Support.
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In case you were unable to complete the installation process successfully, please contact the USANet Creations technical support at "webmaster@netcreations.addr.com" or visit USANet Creations website at "http://www.netcreations.addr.com"

=================================
===== 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

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===== FAQ and Troubleshooting =====
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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.cgi 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.cgi

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 => '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.cgi 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', # Sub Category dir
# antiques001 => 'ART', # # Sub Category with a Sub Category Dir
# antiques0001 => '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.cgi 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.cgi 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.