Software: make_webpage script

About

The make_webpage script is a bash shell script that automatically creates a public_html directory with the proper permissions, as well as a starter webpage and stylesheet. (Such as this one.) It is a "smart" script, in that it will generate a default webpage with the user's name and proper UCI links. It is a "safe" script, in that it prompts the user before overwriting files and creates backups if they already exist. (It also won't try to create the public_html directory if it already exists.) And we note that it produces a fully standards-compliant web page with a small CSS stylesheet.

Downloading and Running the Script: Really Quick Instructions

If you already know how to ssh to your math account, this is the absolutely fastest way to get and run the script. There are SSH instructions in the detailed version of this howto.

Step 1: Download and save the script:

The absolute fastest way to do this is to ssh to your math account, and type the following:

cd ~
links http://math.uci.edu/~pmacklin/make_webpage.html

Arrow down to the first link to the script (in the "About" section), press "d" to download the file, and press "enter" to save the file to your home directory. Hit "q" to exit the text-based browser.

Step 2: Run the script:

While still in your home directory (via SSH), type the following:

bash make_webpage.script

That's it!

Step 3: Test your website:

Visit the URL http://math.uci.edu/~username, where "username" is your math department logon. You should get a starter page that looks like this one.

Downloading and Running the Script: Detailed Instructions

The instructions in this section will be specific to members of the UCI mathematics department, but with minor changes, should apply to anyone.

Step 1: Download the script:

http://math.uci.edu/~pmacklin/Software/make_webpage/make_webpage.script

(right-click and choose "save link as...")

Step 2: Transfer the script to your home directory:

This may be the hairiest step for those who are new to Unix/Linux and the like. You'll need to transfer this script to your home directory using an SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) or SCP (secure copy) program.

• Windows / PC users: I recommend using WinSCP , a free and open source SFTP client. Download, install, and run the program. Click on "new" to create a new session. For "host name" enter "math.uci.edu", and also enter your user name (logon) and password. When you successfully log in (you may have to accept a new SSH key), you should be in the following directory:

  /math/lab-guests/username/

  where "username" is your logon, such as pmacklin. Note that you may see a different path than lab-guests, such as grad. Many of the newer accounts seem to have the form

  /grad/sone/username/

  Just drag the make_webpage.script file onto that main directory. Be sure that you don't accidentally drag the script into one of the subdirectories, such as .acrobat or .ssh.

  Alternatively, you can use cygwin  to emulate Linux and use the Mac OSX / Linux instructions below.

• Mac OSX, Cygwin, and Linux/Unix/etc users: Open a terminal, and browse to the directory where you saved the script. Type the following:

  scp make_webpage.script username@math.uci.edu:

  where "username" is your math department logon. Go ahead and accept the SSH key, and enter your password when prompted. That's it!

• Mac OS 9 (and earlier) users: You're on your own. I'd recommend trying MacSSH & MacSFTP  .

• DOS users: Surely you don't exist in 2006.

Step 3: SSH to the math department:

• Windows / PC users: I recommend using Putty , an free and open source SSH client.

  Download, install, and run the program. Type "math.uci.edu" for the "host name", and click "open". Log in with your user name and password. If prompted, accept the SSH key.

  Alternatively, you can use cygwin  to emulate Linux and use the Mac OSX / Linux instructions below.

• Mac OSX, Cygwin, and Linux/Unix/etc users: Open a terminal, and type the following:

  ssh -l username math.uci.edu

  where "username" is your math department logon. Go ahead and accept the SSH key (if prompted), and enter your password when prompted. That's it!

• Mac OS 9 (and earlier) users: You're on your own. I'd recommend trying MacSSH .

Step 4: Run the script:

After you log in via SSH, simply type:

bash make_webpage.script

Step 5: Test your website:

Visit the URL http://math.uci.edu/~username, where "username" is your math department logon. Hopefully, you should get a starter webpage that looks like this.

Adapting the Script for Your School / Institution

This script is intended for use by a UCI math department student or faculty member in his/her home directory, although it should work anywhere, provided you make the appropriate changes at the beginning of the script:

• DIRECTORY: Set this equal to the base website directory. This is typically public_html or htdir.
• STYLEFILE: Set this equal to the name of the CSS style sheet.
• HTMLFILE: Set this equal to the name of the main html file. This is typically index.html.
• BASE_URL: Set this equal to the beginning of the institution's web URL's. For example, if a typical homepage at your institution is http://math.uci.edu/~username, then you would set BASE_URL equal to math.uci.edu.
• INSTITUTION_NAME: Set this to the name of your institution.
• ANOTHER_URL: This gives the visitor an additional interesting URL to browse while the user customizes his/her webpage.
• ANOTHER_INSTITUTION_URL: This is the text that will be used for the previous link.