Web Services Weblog

Monday January 30, 2006

Web Hosting Services For Faculty

ITS Web Services provides the following hosting services for all faculty of the University of Detroit Mercy.

What is provided :

Secure ftp/shell remote access to the server
DNS registered domain name
PHP enabled web space
Mysql database access
Quicktime Streaming services ^New
Personal Blog(RSS/Podcasting) ^New
Web statistics updated daily
Daily backups

If you are interested in this service please submit an account request at http://helpdesk.udmercy.edu

Please refer to the Acceptable Use Policy for terms of service.

Posted by help ( May 23 2006, 02:43:02 PM EDT / Jan 30 2006, 12:15:41 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/its_web_hosting_services_for

Faculty Blogs

1. What is a blog?

A blog is a software based web publishing tool. Blogs allow users to simply create an online presence without knowlege of html.

2. How do I access my blog?

Your blog can be accessed by appending /blog/ to your site url. For example, if your site url is http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/ then your blog can be accessed at http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/blog/

3. How do I login to my blog?

On your blog's main page, on the lower right hand side, resides the "login" link for your blog. Click the link and enter the same username and password that you normally use for accessing your faculty website.

4. Can I change the way my blog looks (skinning)?

Yes. There are several "skins" or templates that are installed by default in your blog. To view the templates, after logging in, click the "Website" tab, followed by the "themes" link at the top of the page. Click the drop-down menu to preview each template in turn and click save to apply any changes to your blog.

Related Links

An Introduction To Your Blog A 5 minute online demonstration covering the basics of logging in, customizing the look and feel, and posting simple content to your blog space. This demonstration is best viewed at 1024x768 and requires the Flash Player plugin.

Posted by help ( May 23 2006, 12:32:11 PM EDT / Jan 30 2006, 10:04:41 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/faculty_blogs

Sunday January 29, 2006

What Is Streaming?

Streaming technology provides for the ability to serve audio/video content across the internet. Audio and video files can be shared by placing a link to the file and allowing the audience to download then play the file(think podcasting). The disadvantage to this approach is the viewer must invest the time and bandwidth to retreive the file prior to viewing. Streaming, through the IETF RTSP or similar protocol, allows viewers to watch content without the need to download large amounts of data.

Simple Demonstration of Streaming

Helpful Links

Apple - Quicktime

Posted by help ( Feb 03 2006, 02:27:37 PM EST / Jan 29 2006, 12:07:28 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/what_is_streaming

Friday January 27, 2006

PHP

PHP is a web scripting language capable of being imbeded inside of html. Please refer to the Acceptable Use Policy for terms of service.

Helpful Links

PHP.net

Posted by help ( Feb 03 2006, 03:31:06 PM EST / Jan 27 2006, 02:35:45 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/php

Thursday January 26, 2006

Streaming Video How To

You can download this sample file (Right Click - Save Link As ) to use as a demonstration of the service.

1. Using your secure ftp client software connect to your server.

2. Copy the properly hinted Quicktime movie(sample.mov from above) into the Streaming folder found in your home directory.

3. Open the Quicktime player on your desktop.

4. Select (File - Open Url) and type in rtsp://[uid].faculty.udmercy.edu/~[uid]/[filename] For example, if your site url is http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu the streaming url will be rtsp://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/~help/sample.mov

For further detail you may refer to the following links.

Apple Quicktime Web FAQ
Apple step-by-step guide to reference movies

If interested in assistance hinting, posting, developing media content please contact IDS at ids@udmercy.edu or 313.578.0580

Posted by help ( Feb 01 2006, 09:38:40 AM EST / Jan 26 2006, 10:23:14 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/streaming_video_how_to

Wednesday January 25, 2006

Ask The Professor #614 - Podcast Demo

This is an example of how to use the podcasting capabilities of your blog.

How do I setup a podcast?

1) Select New Entry from within your blog management screens.
2) Enter a Title for your podcast item. You may also include a story, but it is optional.
3) Near the bottom of the New Entry screen is an option MediaCast Settings. Click on this option.
4) Enter the full url to your podcast file. We recommend that you place your podcast files in your web directory. For example, the url for the included file is http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/files/atp614.mp3 You can use your secure ftp client software to upload the file to your web site.

Posted by help ( Jan 30 2006, 12:18:25 PM EST / Jan 25 2006, 11:33:42 AM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/ask_the_professor_614_podcast

Tuesday January 24, 2006

Mysql

Mysql is an open source sql database server. Inculded with your hosting account is access to a database.

How do I access my database?

The simplest method for connecting to your database is through PhpMyAdmin. Access to this software is provided through a secure ssl port on the server. For example, if your site url is http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/, your secure channel will be https://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/ When this page is loaded click on the mysql link and you will be directed to PhpMyAdmin. Enter your provided username and password.

You may also access your database from the command line. Login to the server using the secure shell software. At the prompt type 'mysql -u [username] -p' and hit enter. Provide your password when asked then type 'use [username];' and hit enter. You now have access to your database.

Helpful Links

Mysql Manual

Posted by help ( May 15 2006, 02:55:59 PM EDT / Jan 24 2006, 09:32:57 AM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/mysql

Friday January 20, 2006

Juice, Cross-Platform Podcast Receiver

Juice is an open source podcast receiver. While it is similar in functionality to Apple iTunes as far as managing subscriptions to podcasts, its simple interface and smaller footprint easily make it worth the download.

In addition to giving you the ability to track and download your favorite podcasts, it offers may other useful features including built-in browsing of the most popular podcast directories, an activity log, and the ability to schedule your podcast downloads.

Juice is currently available for both Windows and Mac, with a Linux version on the way.

Download Juice

Posted by help ( May 12 2006, 08:02:52 AM EDT / Jan 20 2006, 11:17:37 AM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/juice_cross_platform_podcast_receiver

Wednesday January 18, 2006

DNS Registration

DNS registration provides a unique internet name for your website.

1. What will my site url be?

Faculty hosting is provided under the faculty.udmercy.edu domain. We will use your work email address as your host name . For example http://smith.faculty.udmercy.edu/.

Posted by help ( May 12 2006, 08:03:48 AM EDT / Jan 18 2006, 02:54:58 PM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/dns_registration

Monday January 16, 2006

Website Statistics

Every website includes daily updated usage statistics.

1. How do I access my web statistics?

Go to http://[your email].faculty.udmercy.edu/webalizer/

2. My web statistics page does not exist?

The web statistics page will not be auto generated until your site has received traffic. Go to your site and refresh the home page a couple of times. The next morning your web stats will reflect the most recent activity. If your web statistics still do not appear please submit a ticket at http://helpdesk.udmercy.edu/

3. My web statistics have not updated in a number of days?

The web statistics generated date will not update if your site does not receive traffic. To test the system, go to your site and refresh the home page a couple of times. The next morning your web stats generated date will reflect the most recent activity.

Posted by help ( May 12 2006, 08:04:38 AM EDT / Jan 16 2006, 03:00:43 PM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/website_statistics

Wednesday January 11, 2006

FeedReader

FeedReader is an open source RSS reader/aggregator. The product is available for Win 95 or later.

FeedReader allows you to track multiple RSS feeds from a single interface. For instance, if you find 3 blogs interesting and wish to keep track of new content, FeedReader will automatically check each site for you and display the newest content with links back to the originating blog. You are freed from the manual process of visiting each blog on a regular basis to check for new content.

Download FeedReader

Posted by help ( May 12 2006, 08:05:07 AM EDT / Jan 11 2006, 11:10:35 AM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/feedreader

Monday January 02, 2006

What is RSS?

What is RSS?

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a lightweight XML format designed for sharing headlines and other Web content. RSS allows you to access a site without going out of your way to visit it.

How do I use RSS?

RSS-aware programs called news aggregators help you keep up with all your favorite sites, displaying new items from each of them. Aggregators can offer a variety of special features, including combining several related feeds into a single view, hiding items that the viewer has already seen, and categorizing feeds and items.

Download and install a news aggregator (see FeedReader below).
From UDM websites, click on the logo below the news you wish to subscribe too. You will see the raw XML, which is roughly human-readable, but intended for computer programs.
Copy the link in location/address bar into your news aggregator.

Where can I get a RSS Aggregator?

Feedreader is a lightweight open-source aggregator that supports all major RSS formats. It works under Windows 95 and later versions. Download

What feeds are available?

Of course your blog provides rss feeds, but here are some other feeds available inside the university.

College of Business News - http://business.udmercy.edu/rss/business

UDM Athletics - http://www.detroittitans.com/rss

University News - http://www.udmercy.edu/news

more coming soon...

Posted by help ( May 12 2006, 08:02:18 AM EDT / Jan 02 2006, 11:12:01 AM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/what_is_rss

Sunday January 01, 2006

Secure Shell Client Software

Secure shell/ftp client software is a secure replacement for ftp services. In addition, it provides shell access to the server for those familiar with unix environments.

Windows

The University has a licensed version of SSH.com's Secure Shell Software.

Version 3.2.9 NEW Download | How To

Version 3.1.0 How To

If you are using a version other than 3.2.9 please install the newest version. Check Help - About to verify your version.

Mac OSX 10.2.3 or Later

Fugu - BSD licensed software from the University of Michigan. Download

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When I try to upload a file I get the following error message,

Failed to scan directories.
Error 6: C:/some/directory: No such file or directory..
DONE - 0 Files 0 Total Encountered 1 errors

There is a bug in the ssh file transfer software when using the upload arrow. You may drag and drop file to and from the right pane to transfer files or upgrade to the newest version(3.2.9) to fix this bug.

Posted by help ( May 15 2006, 02:55:21 PM EDT / Jan 01 2006, 10:58:38 AM EST ) Permalink
Trackback: http://help.faculty.udmercy.edu/roller/trackback/help/Weblog/secure_shell_software

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