Main -> Support Zone -> InSite Archives -> March 1997 Issue

InSite: Technical News for SiteSearch Users

Issue # 1

March 17, 1997

Contents

InSite is intended to create discussion about the use and implementation of Open SiteSearch software and explore the technology used by its components. The newsletter will be distributed to the SiteSearch list on a monthly basis and is designed as an informational resource for SiteSearch system administrators. It is brought to you by the SiteSearch support team. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Top Story

Release 3.1 Preparation and implementation

SiteSearch Release 3.1 will be distributed the week of April 7, 1997. There are several new features and many bug fixes. A list of all new features and benefits was sent to the list on Monday, March 24, and a list of bug fixes will be included in the release package.

When we distribute SiteSearch version 3.1, you will receive:

  • A new package of software including new executables
  • A new copy of the Out-of-the-box-interface that integrates current 3.0 features with new 3.1 examples and templates
  • Technical release notes that describe implementation workflow for adding each feature
  • Updated documentation

To keep current with the most recent release, we recommend that you use the new executables in your production SiteSearch environment even if you are not yet planning to implement the new features. We also recommend that you create an area to install the new package and set up a developmental area of your present system environment where you can test pieces before putting them into production.

For every release, we are trying to give you more information to better implement the software. The technical release notes that we have prepared offer suggestions for how to implement each feature. We also encourage you to discuss ideas with other SiteSearch implementors and administrators!

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FAQs

SiteSearch support: Using CGI scripts and the meaning of LEGOS

Each month, we will highlight some questions frequently asked of the support team. As a reminder, all SiteSearch problem reports should be sent to for tracking and assignment.

Q: I am trying to execute a script to set softlinks to html and WebZ entities before httpgate is
     started. The httpman process won't recognize the subdirectory 'cgi-bin':

<a href="http:// ... :8000/cgi-bin/test-cgi">cgi test</a>

A: Httpman does not execute CGI scripts. The CGI verb is only available from the httpgate
     process -- an active session is required. The cgi-bin directory is relative to the working
     directory. Use one of the following links:

<a href="http://...:8000/CGI:cgi-bin/test-cgi:sessionid=0">cgi test</a>

<a href="http://...:8000/CGI:cgi-bin/test-cgi:&context;">cgi test</a>

Q: Could I have some explanation of the LEGOS sections in the httpgate.ini and httpman.ini file?

A: LEGOS is the name of the tcp/ip toolkit used in all SiteSearch and WebZ components.
     The LEGOS section contains variables to configure interprocess communication. This is
     a required section for SiteSearch and WebZ software. "legos_trace_level=" is used to
     set the trace level  for logging (TRACE_NONE or TRACE_ALL). "legos_wait_time="
     defines how often (in seconds) the process cycles through its idle processing.

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Tips & Techniques

Increasing the performance of HTTPGATE

As a site increases its simultaneous users and adds access to more databases, the running httpgate processes begin to gain a higher percentage of CPU use and take up more system memory. Included in patch release 3.0.5 (and incorporated into release 3.1), we made an improvement to httpgate to allow a new ini file configuration. This setup reduces the amount of information read into memory each time a new httpgate starts. The additional information is accessed only when the specific database is selected.

Steps to change the ini file configuration:

  1. Create a db_ini directory under your main SiteSearch/WebZ directory

  2. Create separate ini files for each database containing configuration information

    Sample ini file (WorldCat.ini):
    [WorldCat]
    name=WCAT
    LongName=Sample WorldCat Database
    ServerName=OclcZ39
    RecordSyntax=MARC

    z_name18= "RecordFormat Filter" abb "pt" use 1001 word
    stopwords="of for a an be as are at by but in he had from have his
    her it is the that on or to this with was which you and not"

  3. Reduce database configuration in httpgate.ini to the following:

    [WorldCat]
    name=WCAT
    LongName=Sample WorldCat Database
    ServerName=OclcZ39
    inifile=db_ini/WorldCat.ini

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Web Sites of Interest

New SiteSearch pages and some technology sites

Newly revised SiteSearch pages:

SiteSearch demo with a sneak preview of the new SiteSearch Sort feature:

FirstSearch information--Z39.50 Configuration Guide:

WebZ access can be customized by using CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts and PERL (Practical Extraction and Report Language) scripts. For information regarding this access option, check out the following Web sites:

CGI resources

PERL resources

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SiteSearch FTP Resources

To access the OCLC anonymous FTP server

  1. ftp ftp.rsch.oclc.org
  2. Name= anonymous; Password= <your email address>
  3. cd to /pub/SiteSearch

SiteSearch WebZ can be configured to access all FirstSearch databases via the following Z39.50 servers:

  • Test Server--tikal.dev.oclc.org (132.174.22.96) - port 210
  • Production Server--z3950.oclc.org (204.151.6.105) - port 210

To make this process easier, we have made available the formatting and database configuration files for each FirstSearch database. The database sections include all relevant configuration information and can be used 'as is' to make instant connections.

  • For fcl (Format Control Language) files:
    • /pub/SiteSearch/FS-Access/webz/MarcAccess/fcl
  • For database configuration ini files:
    • /pub/SiteSearch/FS-Access/webz/MarcAccess/ini

Building a Z39.50 Client--a technical look at Z39.50 communication

  • /pub/SiteSearch/z39.50_client_api

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SiteSearch Training Class Schedule

  • SiteSearch WebZ & ZSS Training--April 21-24, 1997--Dublin, Ohio
  • SiteSearch WebZ Training--May 23-24, 1997--Dublin, Ohio

Note: Training class schedules are subject to change. For more information or to register for upcoming classes, please contact .

Questions or comments regarding InSite should be sent to with 'InSite' in the subject line,

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