Preparing Your Astro (UNIX) Account To Host A Web Site
You will use notepad to create web pages that will be stored on TempleUniversity's Astro web server. Before you begin creating your web site, it is important to make sure your Astro account is ready to store and show a web site. You will use a program called SSH/telnet to set up your Astro account.
Setting Up Your Astro Account
Your instructor will show you how to log onto your TempleUNIX account (your Astro account) using SSH/Telnet. SSH/Telnet is secure software that allows you to access computers remotely. You will use this software to set up your UNIX Account for a web site. If this is the first time you are using your UNIX account, you will have to change your password.
Note: If you already have already created a web site using your Astro account, do not complete the following steps in class or you will overwrite (lose) some of your files. If you do not have a Templeweb page, if you missed class, or your account was not working during your class, you must complete these steps before attempting to create and publish a web page.
To set up your Temple UNIX account for a web page:
1. Look on your desktop for the "telnet to astro" icon. Double click on the icon and log onto your account.
2. Look at the bottom of your screen once you log on. UNIX may be prompting you to hit enter/return to continue. If it is then hit enter or return.
3. You should now be at the Unix Menu. You will see numbered options from which to choose. Choose option # 4 by typing 4 on your keyboard and hitting enter. You will now be at the "UNIX prompt". It will have the name of your UNIX system and will have a % sign next to it.
4. Final Warning - if you did this in class, you do not need to do it again!
At the UNIX prompt, type the following - do not use any spaces!
cisweboutline
Once you type the command, hit enter.
5. One of two things will happen here:
* Most likely, you will see a message "installing files now..." and you will be taken back to the unix prompt. If this happens you should go to step 6.
* Sometimes, even if you do not have a web page, you will get a message saying that an "index.html file already exists" and "do you want to overwrite the file". If that happens and you have never created a web page on your Temple account then you can just hit "Y" for yes and hit the ENTER key. The files will install and you will be taken back to the UNIX prompt. You may now exit the SSH/Telnet program. If you already have a web page and do not want to overwrite your index.html page then you should hit N for no and give the file a name like garbage.html - you can then delete the garbage.html file later while working in mybackpack.
6. At the UNIX prompt, type the following - use only one space between the two words!
fixwebperms public_html
Hit enter once you type in the command. One of two things will happen:
- you will see a message
Fixing permissions for directory: public_html
Done...
[astro] ~ %
If you see the message above then you are finished. Close out the program. If you get any other message, check to make sure you typed in the command correctly. Most error messages are due to commands being typed incorrectly. If you type in the command correctly but receive an error message, you should contact your instructor for help.
Note: Do you need to get into SSH/Telnet from home? If you have an internet connection at home and you want to get into SSH/Telnet, you will need to download the SSH Secure Shell v3.2.9 for Workstations program that you used in lab class. Log in at download the program, and install the program by following the directions on the web page where you download the program. While working with the SSH program, the host name will be astro.temple.edu and your username will be the same username you use when logging into your e-mail account. Again, the download site will provide all of the necessary instructions to install and run the program and you can always ask lab instructor for help during office hours.
Once you finish the 5 steps to set up your Astro account you are ready to use notepad to create your web pages!