WarpDoctor - General Meeting for 2003-09-28
09-28-03 12:05:11 <WalterOS2> This Warpstock meeting is now in session.
<Doug> I have a status on the xpager issue
<WalterOS2> Doug: OK shoot.
<WalterOS2> Do you need to change servers?
<Doug> I spent most of last week looking at xpager, the plug-in, and various Rexx apps
<Doug> Nah
<WalterOS2> :-(
<Doug> In order to explain, let me give a little background:
<WalterOS2> I hope we're not taking you away from your political career. :-)
<Doug> The warpdoctor plug-in mode way of looking at the site uses the Rexx plug-in, and some DrRexx applications
<WalterOS2> 'K
<Doug> The Rexx plug-in is capable of running a number of visual Rexx programs, and command line rexx programs.
<Doug> The issue with xpager is related to those types of Rexx programs that run in a separate session from the browser.
<Doug> Which is the case for: DrRexx, GPF Rexx, and sometimes VX-Rexx.
<WalterOS2> separate SESSION?
<WalterOS2> OK, I think I get it, now. :-)
<Doug> Yes - the Rexx plug-in starts the visual Rexx application in a separate session, and then coordiates the presentation of the screen(s) from that session with the browser page
<Doug> so that: when the browser window is minimized, the rexx app window is minimized, when the browse window is moved, the rexx app window is moved, etc.
<Doug> Make sense so far?
<WalterOS2> Must be some tricky timing going on.
<WalterOS2> Yes, pretty much.
<Doug> Well - sense the rexx app window is in a separate session, the coordiation gets tricky.
<Doug> The way it is done is by:
<Doug> 1) makeing the browser plug-in area window the "parent" of the Rexx application window, and by sending PM messages to the Rexx app window for certain events.
<Doug> (Sending PM messages was 2)
<Doug> If the Rexx application window is very complex - meaning very many controls in the window, xpager does not like having the app window made a child of the browser window.
<WalterOS2> heh
<Doug> When the child-parent relationship is established - xPager will not allow you to select another desktop - but it will, on my machine, allow you to select other windows within the same desktop.
<WalterOS2> Although there must be other instances where this happens, surely.
<Doug> I suspect that there are very few applications that maintain a parent-child relationship between windows running in separate sessions
<Doug> You seem to have found one - with your HTML publisher program. If that is the reason why that program doesn't work with xpager
<Doug> There is a work=around, or rather 2 work-arounds
<Doug> The best one, and least likely to happen, is for the xWorkplace team to fix xPager
<WalterOS2> I wonder how hard it would be for Ulrich to change XPager.
<Doug> The second one, is to use an alternate method of syncronizing the DrRexx windows and the browser window
<Doug> which is already built into the plug-in.
<Doug> What I have to do is modify the DrRexx apps to use the alternative notification method (named pipe from plug-in to Rexx app) for receiving window syn messages.
<Doug> What I don't know is if all the browsers will give the plug-in the noficiations needed for it to send messages to the Rexx apps. I know that netscape does, I suspect that Mozilla doesn't.
<Doug> But I will have to test to find out.
<Doug> If this workaround works - I will put a setting/configuration item in the Settings notebook where you can tell the plug-in that you are running XPager.
<Doug> If so - it will use the alternate method.
<Doug> Done *****
<WalterOS2> I will email Ulrich and ask him about changing XPager. Several people besides me use HomePage publisher, and hopefully a great many people will use the Rexx Plugin. Besides that the Plugin has to work with all different browsers.
<WalterOS2> I think I can make a decent case.
<Doug> Good - that would be the ideal solution. I can get some documentation/code examples ready to send to Ulrich if he needs it.
<WalterOS2> OK, thanks.
<WalterOS2> Both the German and English versions of the VOICE newsletter are done with HTML.
<WalterOS2> Sorry, HPP.
<Doug> I am almost done with the Netscape version of theJS version of the folder list. I have some minor spacing to work out is all.
<Doug> And the Netscape fixes for running the plug-in are also done, but I haven't uploaded them to voice3 yet.
<Doug> Nathan has volunteered to take one three little projects/issues and help. I will send me the documentation and informatin this week so that he can get started.
<Doug> Nathan was NWoodru from last week.
<WalterOS2> I'm glad he's working out. :-)
<WalterOS2> Anybody have anything they want ask Doug?
<Doug> We can take a quick look at the administration area of the site, if everyone wanted too.
<WarpedeCS> sure
<Doug> If Ken would repoint the thingy....
<WalterOS2> One quick question.
<KenKrchnr> Just a sec.
<Doug> yes walter?
<WalterOS2> Would it be possible for the computer to determine if the user is using XPage from information in OS2.INI?
<KenKrchnr> OK, it's switched.
<Doug> you mean could we automatically switch processing depending on whether xPager is working or not? - Yes, if I can figure out how to tell.
<Doug> i'll look into that.
<WalterOS2> I can see myself checking the option in the plugin and then forgetting to change it when I temporarily disable it.
<WalterOS2> Or vice versa.
<WalterOS2> OS2.INI contains three keys relating to XPager if it's in use.
<Doug> Walter - could you emain the info about xpager and OS2.INI?
<WalterOS2> Sure.
<Doug> The administrative stuff is located at http://www.warpdoctor.org/adminx.html
<Doug> You don't have to have the plug-in to see some of the stuff - but if you don't have the plug-in installed then don't click on the Tables tab at the top of the notebook.
<Doug> You will have to have a user ID though, to get past the login screen.
<WalterOS2> Got it.
<Doug> The first tab on the top is DB2 - this where you can start and stop DB2, and list and stop individual connections to DB2.
<wdl> I entered my ID and p/w --> "logon successful". But no notebook tabs, etc... :-(
<Doug> Although no-one currently has the permissions setup yet.
<wdl> Also say " LOgon - no database "
<wdl> [DELETED] -- [DELETED]
<Doug> That title is changed in the updated version - this indicates that the logon process does not use the database, since it is possible for the database not to be running at this point.
<WalterOS2> Doug: I clicked on "Start" and got the message: The user ID, password, or remote name was not valid.
<WalterOS2> I've double-checked my login id and password.
<KenKrchnr> 405 connections !? on the connection manager?
<WalterOS2> wdl: thx
<Doug> Ok start up sequence for the site is:
<Doug> 1) boot up machine,
<Doug> 2) start DB2
<Doug> 3) start connection manager
<wdl> Doug: "Invalid Passowrd" I'll try the other URL.
<Doug> Currently we have to start DB2 using DTOC, although I will change the permissions soon in the user table to allow us to use the DB2 pages in that ADMIN notebook to start DB2
<KenKrchnr> Doug, does that mean a separate session of db2?
<Doug> once DB2 is started you use the ConMan - Start page to start the connection manager.
<wdl> Doug: Other URL *shopws* a blank page. Show-page-source gives a whole bunch stuff. But it doesn't seem to do anything. Mozilla 1.3 here.
<Doug> There are two fields in the User table called mapuid and mappwd.
<Doug> The mapuid and mappwd could be set to the db2 admin id to allow a user to start,stop db2.
<WalterOS2> map = ??
<Doug> but those values need to be encrypted in the table and screen so that the users cannot see what the values are.
<Doug> Map - just means an alternative user id and password that can be assigned to the user for various logon purposes, such as here.
<WalterOS2> thx
<Doug> The DB2 routines use the mapuid and mappwd to sign on to db2 (actually the system) before doing their stuff, then they sign off.
<Doug> Currently on the password field is encrypted, so that all admin users can view the Users table, and add new users, but cannot see what other people's passwords are.
<Doug> I need to add that encryption for the mapuid and mappwd.
<wdl> Doug: Usind ID = [DELETED], etc, -> log=on fails.
<Doug> oh - I just figure out why - just a second.
<wdl> Doug: Using my "regular" ID - p/w, I get the same as initial failure. -- But "Logon successful"
<Doug> yes - just a second.
<wdl> Doug: If I "ping www.warpdoctor.org", I get "206.135.240.102" returned.
<Doug^> Sorry - lost my connection
<Doug^> wdl - I will have to fix your problem later. Sorry
<WalterOS2> Time for Doug to give his ISP a piece of his mind, I guess. :-)
<Doug^> When you start the connection manager you specify how many open connections will be started, and the maximum number of connections to the database you will allow.
<Doug^> If all the open connections are used up, and a new user comes in, the connection manager will create a new connection, up to the max number allowed, for that user.
<Doug^> Those type of connections are called overflow connections in the status screen.
<Doug^> Overflow connections will start open for the number of seconds specified inthe DECAY setting, after the last activity on the connection.
<Doug^> DECAY = 0 means never close an overflow connection.
<Doug^> Connections you start when starting the connection manager always stay open.
<wdl> Doug: "...fix later." = No problem.
<Doug^> The TABLES page has a table for various database tables. You can enter new information, delete rows or change rows from the area of the notebook.
<Doug^> The cookies tab shows the cookies used by the site and what each cookie value does.
<Doug^> And - sorry - I have to go to the airport.
<Doug^> see ya guys next week.
<WalterOS2> Go ahead. See you next week.
<WalterOS2> :-)
<WalterOS2> Whether or not you noticed it from the Agenda, the rest of this meeting is an Open Session.
<WalterOS2> I guess I'll start.
<wdl> Must remind everyone I'll be absent next weekend - Oct. 4-5, 2003.
<KenKrchnr> Is anybody still on the test site?
<WalterOS2> Yesterday, Ken, Jeremy, and I had an impromptu VOICE meeting.
<WalterOS2> I am, but I can "log off".
<wdl> Yes, but as you saw, my access didn't/doesn't work.
<WalterOS2> OK, I'm gone. :-)
<KenKrchnr> If we're done, I'll switch back to voice2
<WalterOS2> In our meeting, we reactivated our plans to move the VOICE1 server.
<WalterOS2> You'll be hearing more about that later.
<WarpedeCS> Walter I did a basic webpage pic for new voice format
<WarpedeCS> http://www.flbsd.mb.ca/FTPFILES/PICS/TechStuff/mine/newvoice.jpg
<WalterOS2> OK, fire a copy of it to Jeremy and to me to look at. :-)
<WalterOS2> BTW, Jeremy is feeling a little overloaded so we agreed to give Ken the job of System Administrator.
<WarpedeCS> the link is my basic attempt at a new format
<WalterOS2> OK, good!
<WarpedeCS> http://www.flbsd.mb.ca/FTPFILES/PICS/TechStuff/mine/newvoice.jpg
<WalterOS2> Jeremy still wants to work on the new format.
<wdl> WarpedeCS: The black "Voice", etc, is *very* dark against the dark-blue background. Kinda hard to read, IMO.
<WarpedeCS> yes...I agree
<WarpedeCS> it is more the basic format...the colors are just to givve some perspective
<wdl> Format seems OK.
<WarpedeCS> each of the panes we can be creative and do other things...but this is just a format...we need to have more Ideas and bring Voice up to date...bring it to the 21st century...
<WarpedeCS> I am not critsizing the current format but it is just stale...needs an update of format...that is all
<wdl> "Change for change's sake..."??
<WarpedeCS> Well...OS/2 has changed into eCS and I think Voice needs to reflect it just like eCS homepage has changed and looks very current to what other pages are with the products they carry and promote
<WarpedeCS> yes...
<WarpedeCS> I am sure everyone can at least use paintbrush, so why not put your ideas on it even if it is rough looking and lets get our Voice page to evolve
<WalterOS2> Just for the record, Bill, we agreed to change the look of the VOICE web site some time ago. Vaughn is simply providing us and Jeremy with a suggestion. :-)
<WarpedeCS> yea
<KenKrchnr> Hey Vaughn, that's pretty old news you have there ;-)
<WarpedeCS> hehehe
<wdl> Walter or ??: Is the meeting over? Logging doncha know...
<KenKrchnr> It's a lull :-)
<WalterOS2> Ken, right. Just a lull in the conversation.
<WalterOS2> If no one has anything else to say, I've got a question for Ken.
<Rat-Salad> I think I'm going to send out a message to voice news, and voice members to see if we can find someone who will be the new webmaster
<WalterOS2> OK, just let me know what happens. :-)
<WalterOS2> I've got a question.
<WalterOS2> Can I connect the WAN port of router to one of the LAN ports on another router?
<Rat-Salad> hmm, never tried such a thing
<WalterOS2> Say I've got more workstations than I can hang on one router?
<WalterOS2> Guess I'll have to try it and find out.
<Rat-Salad> you have a switch laying around? I think they have uplink ports
<KenKrchnr> That depends on the router type. The WAN port may not be standard tcp/ip.
<wdl> wdl [will] hang around awhile longer...
<WalterOS2> Yes, but there's another reason I want to use a router.
<WalterOS2> OK.
<WalterOS2> On my routers, all of them, the WAN port is meant to be connected to a cable/DSL movem.
<WalterOS2> That's TCP/IP I presume.
<KenKrchnr> Walter, you can still use an uplink from another switch. The router would recognize the other machines as well as if they were directly connected.
<WalterOS2> BTW, Jeremy, I wasn't able to mail the router to you yesterday. But I'll mail it tomorrow for sure.
<WalterOS2> Ken: OK, Thanks.
<Rat-Salad> thank you WalterOS2 :)
<WalterOS2> But that brings up another question: How do you connect two LAN's together?
<KenKrchnr> Two separate subnets?
<WalterOS2> Can you explain a little more?
<WalterOS2> I get confused about the term subnet.
<KenKrchnr> What are the two lans, and are they physically in close proximity?
<WarpedeCS> gotta run..folks.....
<MADodel> Lost my mouse
<WalterOS2> Ken: let's continue this by email.
<WalterOS2> Anyone want to move we adjourn the meeting?
<WalterOS2> Or does someone have anything they want to say?
<MADodel> I'll motion for adjournment
<WalterOS2> OK, the chair will entertain a motion to adjourn.
<WalterOS2> All in favour of adjourning, please type Aye.
<MADodel> Aye
<KenKrchnr> Aye
<WalterOS2> All opposed to adjourning the meeting, please type Nay
13:55:55 <WalterOS2> Motion is carried; meeting is adjourned.