WarpDoctor - General Meeting for 2003-09-21
09-21-03 12:09:31 <WalterOS2> This Warpdoctor meeting is now in session.
<WalterOS2> For the latecomers, the agenda is at http://www.warpdoctor.org/agendas/warpdoc_2003-09-21.html
<WalterOS2> Or on your title line if you're using GTIRC.
<WalterOS2> The only item I've got the agenda is the Warpdoctor plugin. Since we got so far last time and during the week, I'm hoping it won't take too long. :-)
<WalterOS2> Doug, since we've got several newcomers here,
<WalterOS2> would you briefly explain the Warpdoctor plugin is and does?
<ITE> That would be great.
<Doug> The WarpDoctor Rexx plug-in is a Netscape type plug-in that allows a browser to run Rexx programs, both command line and visual type Rexx programs
<WalterOS2> In fact, it might not hurt if you could draw one of your quickie charts showing where are in the project. :-)
<Doug> We have written an application using DrRexx/DrDialog that runs in the plug-in to handle viewing, adding new content and updates to existing content in the site.
<Doug> We have been having problems with the install program that installs the plugin, and with the plugin running in various versions of Mozilla.
<WalterOS2> <Doug> The WarpDoctor Rexx plug-in is a Netscape type plug-in that allows a browser to run Rexx programs,
<WalterOS2> both command line and visual type Rexx programs
<WalterOS2> I just added Doug's first line for the sake of Jim. :)
<JimGiacch> thanks
<ITE> Does it run from the server?
<Doug> The plugin is installed on the client machine. It consists of a few DLLS, some other files, and a DLL that must be installed in the PLUGINS directory of the browser
<Doug> The DrRexx applications are downloaded from the server each time the user accesses the WarpDoctor site.
<Doug> The DrRexx applications then communication back with the site, in conjuction with the browser displaying HTML
<ITE> So, it means it can't be a big program...
<Doug> The DrRexx application, compressed is about 60k.
<Doug> Or I should say, the main DrRexx application. There are actually 4 apps.
<WalterOS2> BTW, Doug wrote all this basically from scratch. He's our resident programming genius. :-)
<Doug> The WarpDoctor site is designed to run with or without the plug-in. It is designed for three classes of browsers:
<Doug> 1) non-javascript, non-plugin types, such as IBM WebExplorer
<Doug> 2) javascript enabled browsers - which includes almost everything else
<Doug> 3) browsers that have the plug-in installed
<Doug> The advantage of the plug-in is that it handles things that cannot be handled using regular old JS - such as file upload, drag and drop, etc.
<Doug> And in certain circumstances, the plug-in is actually faster than the JS version (js = javascript)
<WalterOS2> This will be our mainm mechanism for getting stuff into the DB2 database.
<WalterOS2> main even
<WalterOS2> :-)
<Doug> The problems we had last week were: the install program wasn't recognizing MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH variable used by some
<Doug> and it wasn't working with Mozilla v 1.4, v 1.5b, but it would work with v 1.4a
<ITE> Where can I download it to try?
<Doug> Hopefullly the install and version problems have been fixed with the new version of the plug-in available
<Doug> To get the plug-in ftp://206.135.240.98
<Doug> sign on as anonymous
<Doug> download file wdRexxIn.wpi
<Doug> This is a WarpIn package. Double click on the wdRexxIn.wpi to start the WarpIn install routine.
<Doug> When you run the WarpIn installer, your browser SHOULD be recognized. If not, click on User Specified Browser and type in the plugin path for your browser.
<ITE> Downloading...
<Doug> Once the install finishes, you should be able to see the plug-in by going to Help - About Plug-ins in your browser menu. The lastest version of the plug-in is v 2.06
<WalterOS2> Oops!
<Doug> The plug-in download is about 650k
<JimGiacch> i tried to run it but it failed on "Script error in line 16: The Rexx code in the <PCK> attributes failed. The macro call was: =("checkForNet461")
<Doug> Walter - oops???
<Doug> Does anyone else get an error on CheckForNet461 ?
<NWoodru> I didn't try it.
<Doug> Jim - do you have Netscape 4.61 ?
<NWoodru> Yes.
<NWoodru> I do.
<JimGiacch> yes
<WalterOS2> I got a Script Error in line 16: The REXX code in the <PCK> attributes failed.
<WalterOS2> The macro call was:=("checkfornet461")
<Doug> ok - hang on.
<WalterOS2> The error is a WarpIN error, and occurred right after I hit "OK" on the opening screen.
<WalterOS2> Jim and NWoodru: This is the kind of thing we put poor Doug through every Sunday, the last few weeks. :-(
<NWoodru> How do you join the team as a programmer?
<Doug> Ok I am uploading a version that has a small message box that should help find the problem.
<Doug> Volunteer
<NWoodru> Como???
<WalterOS2> NWoodru: Basically, Just Ask.
<NWoodru> How do I ask?
<NWoodru> Whom do I ask?
<Doug> Ok - you guys with fast connections, could you please re-download wdRexxIn.wpi, run it, and tell me what happens?
<Doug> I added a little message box, right after the first OK - that should display the path to the Netscape directory
<WalterOS2> NWoodrun: Hang on...
<Doug> NWoodru - it sounds like you are voluteering - we accept.
<NWoodru> Great.
<JimGiacch> ok
<JimGiacch> is said c:\programs\netscape
<Doug> Do you do C, C++ or Rexx, Javascript, or something else.
<JimGiacch> and then it failed with the same msg
<NWoodru> You can find my resume of almost 20 years of programming experience at pws.prserv.net/usinet.nwoodru
<NWoodru> I've done C programming since 1989.
<Doug> great
<WalterOS2> OK, done.
<NWoodru> Almost all my professional experence has been OS/2
<WalterOS2> The box displayed "O:\INTERNET\NETSCOMM"
<WalterOS2> NWoodru: Yaah!
<WalterOS2> Now what?
<NWoodru> I only moved to the darkside of programming in 2000.
<Doug> hang on a second.
<WalterOS2> NWoodru: Well, Doug has been Team Leader for the database part.
<WalterOS2> So you'd be working with him; I can't think of a nicer person to work for. :-)
<WalterOS2> has been=still is, for that matter.
<Doug> call RxFuncAdd 'SysIni','RexxUtil','SysIni' netPath = sysini("USER","Netscape","4.6") if (netpath = 'ERROR:') then return 'NoInstal.wpi' len = Ok folks - maybe you can help me see something that I am missing. I will post the code that is causing
<Doug> ------------------------
<Doug> call RxFuncAdd 'SysIni','RexxUtil','SysIni'
<Doug> netPath = sysini("USER","Netscape","4.6")
<Doug> if (netpath = 'ERROR:') then return 'NoInstal.wpi'
<Doug> len = length(netPath)
<Doug> call wiRexxShowMessage 'Net path',netpath
<Doug> if (substr(netpath,len,1) = '00'x) then netPath = substr(netpath,1,(len-1))
<Doug> call wdRexxShowMessage 'length',len
<Doug> if substr(netPath,length(netpath),1) = '\' then do
<Doug> call wdRexxShowMessage 'length','Here 1'
<Doug> call sysfiletree netPath||'program\netscape.exe','flist','F'
<Doug> call wdRexxShowMessage 'length','Here 2'
<Doug> end
<Doug> else do
<Doug> call wdRexxShowMessage 'length','Here 3 - netpath:'||netPath||'\program\netscape.exe'
<Doug> call sysfiletree netPath||'\program\netscape.exe','flist','F'
<Doug> end
<Doug> if flist.0 = 0 then return 'NoInstal.wpi'
<Doug> else return "wdRexxin.wpi"
<Doug> -----------------------------------------
<Doug> We appear to be failing after line 5
<Doug> The wiRexxShowMessage is a Rexx function supplied by WarpIn for outputting a message box.
<KenKrchnr> And wdRexxShowMessage?
<Doug> Ahh - the problem
<Doug> You found one problem
<Doug> Ok - I'm uploading a new version again.
<Doug> while I am uploading- this little rexx routine checks for the existence of Netscape 4.61. IF it finds one, then that package appears on the next page in the WarpIn screen.
<Doug> If not, then the "package" for Netscape 4.61 does not appear.
<Doug> The file is uploaded. Please re-download and try again.
<Doug> This works by returning the name a "required" file in the install package. If the name returned does not exist, WarpIn thinks the package cannot be installed because the required file(s) do not exist.
<JimGiacch> still no go
<Doug> So if Netscape does not exist, we return the name of a file we know is not in the package - noInstal.wpi
<JimGiacch> c:\programs\netscape
<JimGiacch> 20
<JimGiacch> 20
<JimGiacch> here 3 - netpath:c:\programs\netscape
<JimGiacch> oops
<JimGiacch> the last line should have been
<JimGiacch> here 3 - netpath:c:\programs\netscape\program\netscape.exe
<JimGiacch> and then it givses the script error line again
<Doug> ahhh - I think I have found it.
<Doug> hang on
<Doug> I am call SysFileTree but I am not loading that function from RexxUtil.
<Doug> ok - please try again.
<NWoodru> Doug...
<JimGiacch> seems to work
<JimGiacch> got to the install
<Doug> Great.
<Doug> Yes NWoodru
<NWoodru> Do you remember QueryMgr?
<Doug> The old DB2 GUI for queries?
<NWoodru> Yes.
<Doug> Yes i do.
<WalterOS2> My monitor went bluuy again.
<NWoodru> That is how long I have been doing DB2
<JimGiacch> should i restart my browser to see if it loads properly?
<WalterOS2> What have I missed?
<Doug> Look for it first.
<Doug> Walter - a few bugs
<WalterOS2> :-)
<JimGiacch> what file should be in my plugins directory
<Doug> npwrpdoc.dll
<JimGiacch> ok its theres
<Doug> ken - are we ready to switch the pointer thingy to voice3?
<KenKrchnr> Hang on a sec...
<WalterOS2> Yes.
<WalterOS2> Doug: What's the status the plugin?
<WalterOS2> of the plugin, even
<Doug> I have to make screens for HCL, SCL, DOCs and links to other sites. I am about 1 hour away from finishing the IRC Meetings screen.
<KenKrchnr> OK, it's switched.
<Doug> ok - now we can go to www.warpdoctor.org/home.html
<Doug> That should bring up our test site.
<NWoodru> I get an error.
<NWoodru> File not found
<JimGiacch> should i restart the browser to load the plugin first?
<NWoodru> I got the configuration page for Domino...
<Doug> no - although you have the plug-in loaded, you aren't using it yet.
<Doug> Hang on
<KenKrchnr> You may need to restart the browser and clear your cache as well.
<KenKrchnr> NWoodru - did you remember the /home.html? Without it you'll get the Domino page.
<NWoodru> Okay... I type .htm the first time.
<NWoodru> it works.
<Doug> ok - you are looking at the JS version of the web site.
<NWoodru> looks very different.
<Doug> The folder list on the list is specific to Mozilla, and IE type browsers. I need to modify it to work with Netscape v 4.61 and below.
<Doug> Click on the gear icon in the top toolbar- that should get you a settings notebook.
<NWoodru> I have Netscape v 4.61 and it works for me.
<WalterOS2> Doug: The Netpath window is still in the Plugin, but I could skip the screens, and I now can see the new WD site on VOICE3.
<WalterOS2> Using Mozilla 1.4
<WalterOS2> :-)
<NWoodru> Nope... it gave me a Domino "Go Webserver"
<Doug> I will upload a version with the message boxes removed on the install program in a second.
<Doug> NWoodru - are you using Netscape right now?
<NWoodru> Yes. I am.
<NWoodru> v 4.61
<WalterOS2> NWoodru: Did you close all copies of your browser, including any turbo's you have loaded?
<WalterOS2> That's important.
<Doug> Do you have a Mozilla installed - or IBM browser?
<NWoodru> The only Turbo I have is my Toyota Supra.
<WalterOS2> Lucky you!
<NWoodru> But, I'll close all copies.
<Doug> Netscape it not working very well yet.
<Doug> for either the plugin or the JS version.
<NWoodru> I closed all copies of Netscape...
<NWoodru> Loaded it again went to www.warpdoctor.org/home.html.
<Doug> If you have Mozilla or IBM web browser - you should use that, for right
<NWoodru> Clicked one the gear icon and got the domino "Go Webserver" graphic.
<WalterOS2> Doug: I used Netscape and it worked OK, and I could read the V3 WD as well, but there was another problem.
<Doug> NWoodru - the site doesn't work yet with netscape.
<NWoodru> Okay...
<WalterOS2> Doug: Nevertheless, interested in what happened when I tried?
<Doug> yes
<WalterOS2> Site came OK, nothing was missing, but I didn't click on any links.
<WalterOS2> But....
<WalterOS2> I could access other tasks in my system such as the Chat program.
<WalterOS2> Tried clicking, <CTRL><ESC>. Nothing worked. :-(
<WalterOS2> Just thought you might be interested.
<NWoodru> Sounds like a tight loop to me.
<WalterOS2> Netscape didn't do that with other sites I tried.
<Doug> my experience with netscape is that it doesn't crash very nicely. When it goes down, it has a tendency to lock up the system
<Doug> Mozilla and opera both crash very nicely.
<Doug> But - netscape is faster.
<NWoodru> That is mine too Doug.
<KenKrchnr> They have lots of practice ;-)
<Doug> There are a three problems with netscape we need to fix.
<WalterOS2> I was able to close Netscape, and then the system was freed up again.
<Doug> 1) the toolbar needs to be redone to work with netcsape - I have done that.
<Doug> 2) the folder list has be written for a netscape - it doesn't recognize the DHTML used by Mozilla, et al.
<WalterOS2> Mozilla, at least 1.4, just doesn't crash or lock up on me. :-) And I used it a *lot*.
<WalterOS2> I've always got multiple instances in my system.
<Doug> 3) something is wrong with send stuff to the right frame. After the first page Netscape refuses to recogize the name of the right frame and opens a new window to display the content.
<WalterOS2> :-(
<JimGiacch> for me netscape 4.61 works fine, it loaded the plugin and the site seems to be displaying it the same as in mozilla
<Doug> All the browsers will appear at times to close and go away, when they are really still running. You have to check with something like WatchCat or some other process killer to really stop them
<Doug> Jim - click on a folder in the left side.
<JimGiacch> it comes up and says what the folder is and what should be in it
<Doug> or - click on the gear at the top.
<JimGiacch> on the right of the screen
<JimGiacch> the gear brings up the setup box
<Doug> hummmm - I wonder if there is a DLL conflict on my machine. And NWoodru's machine.
<Doug> Thanks for the info Jim - I will look into this.
<JimGiacch> why wouldn't it work
<Doug> Jim - when you click on the gear - on the setup screen - select PLUGIN as the mode. Then click on APPLY, then reload www.warpdoctor.org/home.html
<JimGiacch> its already on the plugin setting
<Doug> Ok - click on the gear again and tell me what color the notebook is.
<JimGiacch> grey
<Doug> you go the plug-in running.
<Doug> got
<Doug> Jim - click on the logon button - the left most one, and create a new user id for yourself.
<Doug> After you do that I will change the permissions so that you can look at all the stuff.
<Doug> or - right click on the folders and select LOGON from the pop-up menu
<WalterOS2> Doug: I only got 2 items when I clicked on the Toolbox--Javascript and Non-Javascript.
<WalterOS2> And the box came up really slo-o-owly.
<JimGiacch> im starting to get a lot of errors
<Doug> That means that the browser does not recognize the plug-in. Try going to HELP - About Plugins and see of the plugin is shown
<JimGiacch> it is
<JimGiacch> ok it stopped working now and im getting the java site again
<Doug> Jim - switch to Mozilla if you have it, and lets try that.
<Doug> Walter - see if you have npwrpdoc.dll in your plugins directory.
<JimGiacch> SYNTAX ERROR: Routine not found in:
<JimGiacch> call main.tContent.position dx-400, ynum
<Doug> Jim - you still on Netscape or did you switch?
<JimGiacch> i switched
<WalterOS2> Nope.
<Doug> Walter - you can copy it from your netscape directory, or run the wdRexxIn.wpi again.
<Doug> jim what were you doing when you got the syntax error?
<JimGiacch> trying to load the site
<Doug> try clearing the cache, shutting down and restartin the browser please - and what browser version are you using?
<JimGiacch> mozilla 1.4b
<wdl> Did my system just get bollixed? Nothing happening...
<Doug> wdl - are you seeing us?
<JimGiacch> ok i restarted cleared my cache and the sites come up properly
<Doug> Kris - can you tell me you email address please?
<wdl> Hmmm. **Sudden** filling of screen with *lots*, just now. Guess it's OK.
<Doug> Walter - how are you doing?
<NWoodru> Am I still on?
<KenKrchnr> Yes NWoodru
<NWoodru> Good. It got silent for a few minutes.
<KenKrchnr> People are losing connections from the looks of it.
<NWoodru> Do you think they will come back?
<KenKrchnr> Yes, as they find a server to access.
<NWoodru> So far my connection is holding.
<KenKrchnr> Which server are you using?
<NWoodru> the one in Florida.
<WalterOS2> OK, I've v2.06 of the plugin installed, and almost everything is working problem.
<NWoodru> I'm from Atlanta Ga.
<WalterOS2> I'm using Jeremy's in Florida.
<NWoodru> I tried the server in South Carolina... It wouldn't connect.
<NWoodru> Brave's beat the Marlins today....
<WalterOS2> The problem I was having with the WD site under NS "locking" the screen has now shifted to Mozilla. :-(
<KenKrchnr> Do you have xPager installed?
<WalterOS2> I've got XWorkplace installed, and I'm using XPager, yes.
<KenKrchnr> Doug, like Walter, if I use plugin mode on Mozilla or Firebird I cannot switch to a different page on xPager, nor can I use the xCenter to switch to an app on another page. Works OK with JS mode.
<KenKrchnr> That what you see Walter?
<Doug> so plugin interfers with multiple desktops?
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> OK, I've v2.06 of the plugin installed, and almost everything is working problem.
<WalterOS2> <NWoodru> I'm from Atlanta Ga.
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> I'm using Jeremy's in Florida.
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> The problem I was having with the WD site under NS "locking" the screen has now shifted to
<WalterOS2> Mozilla. :-(
<KenKrchnr> Yes.
<WalterOS2> problem=properly.
<WalterOS2> Sorry about that.
<Doug> Walter - are you also using mutliple desktops?
<Doug> meaning xpager?
<WalterOS2> Ken: I can't even switch with using <Ctrl><Esc>.
<WalterOS2> Doug: Yes.
<Doug> If you close the browser does the problem go away?
<WalterOS2> Yes.
<KenKrchnr> But I can switch with a click on a visible window. Same with you Walter?
<WalterOS2> No.
<JimGiacch> yeap, i have the same thing here can't switch windows
<JimGiacch> err desktops
<Doug> ok - looks like a conflict with xpager. I will have to install it and see what happens
<WalterOS2> I can see the list of windows, but I can't switch with it.
<WalterOS2> Let me double check one thing.
<Doug> or - a conflict between DrRexx and xpager.
<WalterOS2> I can't switch tasks using the Window list with the keyboard (SHIFT-F10) or with a mouse.
<Doug> are all of you guys also using ecs 1.1 with the enhanced shell?
<KenKrchnr> I am.
<JimGiacch> me too
<NWoodru> With the enhanced SMELL? Like a new car?
<Doug> just like
<WalterOS2> Yes, but I'm not using eWorkplace; I'm using XWorkplace.
<KenKrchnr> Come to think of it, same here.
<Doug> ok - I can try xpager with xWorkplace. I can't use eWorkplace because VAC v 3.x won't install with eWorkplace
<JimGiacch> i am using eWorkplace
<Doug> VAC++ v 3 that is.
<WalterOS2> Generally I avoid using programs that lockout Virtual desktops, unless I **really** have to. :-)
<Doug> Are there others that do this?
<KenKrchnr> I've not run into it before.
<WalterOS2> Homepage Publisher is one such program that I really need, but it only partially locks out the VD feature.
<JimGiacch> i have but i can't remember which programs did it
<Doug> is it possible to temporarly disable xpager or virtual desktops?
<WalterOS2> I think I'm wrong; I think it completely locks it out. And I only have to use it once in awhile. If I had to use it more often, I'd find another program. I'm really addicted to virtual desktops. :-)
<KenKrchnr> The plugin does it for you ;-)
<Doug> oh - then it is a feature!
<WalterOS2> It's not very easy, I'm not sure that's the answer, but I can give it a try.
<WalterOS2> A very addictive one.:-)
<Doug> I meant just for right now.
<WalterOS2> OK, it's gone now, and I can switch tasks using the Window list.
<WalterOS2> But I'm already getting withdrawl symptoms. :-)
<Doug> cold turkey - has got me - on the run.
<Doug> is NWoodru still here?
<NWoodru> Yes.
<KenKrchnr> Doug, it also works if the Warpdoctor page is not top on the browser.
<Doug> you guys want to continue - if you do I will create a user Ids for you two and we can look around
<NWoodru> Por Que?
<Doug> Ken - you mean if the wd page browser window is not the active window?
<KenKrchnr> Yes.
<NWoodru> If you want to create a user id for me that is fine.
<Doug> almost sounds like it is grabbing key strokes.
<KenKrchnr> Well, if the WD page itself isn't the active page. Switch to a different web page and xPager works again.
<Doug> ok - that means if the plug in is not loaded. When you switch to another page the browser unloads the plug-in DLL.
<WalterOS2> When I tried under NS, it was only the WD site that produced this phenomenon
<WalterOS2> Sounds like a conflict between the plugin and XPager.
<WalterOS2> :-(
<Doug> could be that, could be between DrRexx and xpager. I can find out which pretty easily
<WalterOS2> How?
<Doug> how do you guys switch from one desktop to another? key stroke or mouse action?
<WalterOS2> I use the mouse exclusively, although keystroke is supported.
<KenKrchnr> Mouse click on the toolbar icon for the program I want to switch to.
<KenKrchnr> If it's on a different virtual page that page is switched to automatically.
<Doug> xcenter toolbar?
<KenKrchnr> Yes.
<KenKrchnr> I also tried mouse ckick on the xPager window viewer, no switchie.
<WalterOS2> I always use the xPager window.
<NWoodru> How do I sign in?
<Doug> alright - let me load it up this week and see what I can find out.
<Doug> NWoodru - did you get your useid and password?
<NWoodru> Yes.
<NWoodru> I've looked on how to sign in.
<NWoodru> Can't find it.
<Doug> click on the keys - select existing user from the notebook
<NWoodru> I get the graphic of domino "Go Webserver"
<Doug> ok - you have to be using Mozilla for this to work.
<Doug> or ibm browser
<NWoodru> Oh.....
<NWoodru> I'll just lurk then.
<Doug> Do you have either of those browsers?
<NWoodru> No... I don't.
<Doug> What version of netscape 4.61 do you have - meaning which fix pack?
<NWoodru> Don't know.
<Doug> Jim - which version of netscape 4.61 are you using?
<NWoodru> I looked under help... it wasn't there.
<Doug> ok - I suggest we stop and I will look into the xpager and netscape issues this week.
<NWoodru> I'm sure it is the latest posted on IBM's site.
<Doug> NWoodru - are you using ecs?
<KenKrchnr> My bet is no.
<WalterOS2> I agree with Doug.
<NWoodru> No i'm using Warp 4 fp 15
<WalterOS2> Is there anything else that can't wait until next week. :-)
<WalterOS2> Speak now, or for one week hold your peace.
<KenKrchnr> Better wake Bill up. ;-)
<WalterOS2> Seriously, there is always email. :-)
<wdl> Awake!!!
<NWoodru> Doug...
<NWoodru> How do I voulunteer?
<Doug> yes sir?
<WalterOS2> You already have. :-)
<Doug> send me your email address. I will get with you. I need the help.
<NWoodru> how do I do that?
<WalterOS2> Doug, what's your email address?
<Doug> [ email address deleted -wdl ]
<WalterOS2> OK, it's getting late, so we should wrap it up.
<Doug> move to adjourn
<WalterOS2> Seconds not allowed.
<NWoodru> e-mail sent doug.
<Doug> thanks
<WalterOS2> All in favour of adjournment, please type Aye.
<NWoodru> Aye.
<Doug> aye
<KenKrchnr> Aye
<WalterOS2> Bill?
<WalterOS2> All opposed, please type Nay.
<WalterOS2> Bill's gone back to sleep. :-)
14:41:24 <WalterOS2> The motion is carried. The meeting is adjourned.