No "Act" files on the server

[sammy2001]

Hello

I'm just trying to make some final changes to a site i've just uploaded
so i connected to the server (using dreamweaver).
When viewing the files i noticed that there was no "act" files
ie - Act_ContactUs.html (so i can edit the form)

Shouldn't they be there?
Why would they not be there?

Can i re-upload them (drag them across, using dreamweaver)
I've been working on this site - in the my office.
But i have since uploaded the site in the clients office.
So they are now responsible for updating the site.

If i make changes here - will they overwrite these changes next time they upload the site.


thank you in advance

[jont]

The Act_files are templates that Actinic uses to compile the actual HTML pages you see on the website - you should not see any of the ACT files up there. Make any changes offline and then upload via Actinic so it compiles the info and merges all the required stuff together.

[sammy2001]

thanks for your reply

I want to update the checkout pages /contact forms.

In the past - i did this by just dragging the "act" files across to the server and this worked fine.

I updated these pages and sent them to the client to paste into the site folder. I thought these updated files would then be refreshed onto the website. but they haven't. It would be useful if i could update the site from my office but i'm worried about the files being over wrote the next time the client update the site

[jont]

Are you sending the client the actual ACT template or are you sending the finished file you have have modified from the server (or the PreviewHTML folder)?

You should edit the ACT templates (in root of SITE1) and then email over to your client - they should save in the root of the Site1 folder and then upload the site via Actinic to update the changes made to the relevent ACT templates.

[sammy2001]

I've asked them to do this before - with no success.
(paste the files i send them into the sites folder)

Do they need to apply these pages - or is it a simple case of pasting the files in the sites folder and then preshing the update button.

[jont]

They should just copy your ACT_template files into the folder and then upload the site via Actinic - the change of date/time stamp on the file should cause Actinic to assemble the new viewable HTML pages and publish to the site

[sammy2001]

thanks jont - this is really helpful.

(i've just spoken to the client and they said then when they pasted the files into the site1 folder - instead of updating the file it attached a (2) at the end of the file - so it didn't update the files i sent over. hopefully this will work now)

[wjcampbe]

The (2) at the end indicates a copy (and also that there is already another copy (1) in there somewhere). They need to know to accept or choose overwrite or replace when they paste your files in, or it will never work.

[sammy2001]

I sent over the files and asked the client to paste them into the site1 folder and make sure the overwrote (not duplicated) the existing files. I then asked him to update the site.

The "contact page (http://web17178.vs.netbenefit.co.uk/cgi/mf000002.pl?ACTION=SHOWFORM)" should have another field
saying "Request an Account".

Also - when you checkout - the central column expands - spreading the width of the main table. I had sorted this out with another file that i sent over to him this afternoon.

Either it hasn't worked or the client didn't update the site?
As no changes have been made. I won't be able to speak to him until i see him tomorrow. I'm hoping to know why it hasn't worked before he starts getting twitchy.


What else could it be?

Thank you in advance

[sammy2001]

I've just looked at the server (using dreamweaver)
and it said that the following files were updated:

Backup.num
Order.num
82Z42Z122Z253A1121372923B15327.session
82Z42Z122Z253A1121372940B15341.session

14.07.05 (today)


No other files have been updated.

Does this mean that he hasn't updated the site.
Or that the files i sent have not worked.

[wjcampbe]

You will need to check with him when you can. If he has tried to update then it can only mean he was not successful in overwriting the original files. In that case he will now have a (3) copy in his site1 folder. You will need him to delete the original, the (1) copy, and the (2) copy and then rename the (3) copy to the original filename.

Once he has done all that, then an upload should work, but if not, ask him to do a complete refresh.

How far away are you from the client? It begins to sound as though a personal visit may be a good idea. You could demonstrate the correct technique for saving the files you send as email attachments to reduce future problems.

[sammy2001]

I'm starting to think that as well!

I'll speak to him tomorrow and then see if i need to make a visit

thank you for getting back to me

[jont]

82Z42Z122Z253A1121372923B15327.session


Just for info - that file is generated by a person with the IP address of 82.42.122.253 viewing the site