Agents are drowned in "not found" requests
Every day more and more clients contact agents with complaints about links that cannot be found or folders/files not included in the package. But we want to assure you that our software does not contain such silly defects. So, I want to shed some light on the subject.
1) Not found links. Also known as 404 error.
The point is that many links in Dolphin are permalinks, i.e. these links do not contain any extensions, such as html or php. Permalinks are good for search engines that's why we use them widely in our script. Permalinks are processed by the so called mod_rewrite module which should be installed in Apache. We state this in Dolphin technical requirements. But it's only a half of the problem. The second requirement is presence of appropriate rewrite instructions in the file .htaccess which should be uploaded on your server into Dolphin's installation directory. You can find this file in Dolphin distribution package. Make sure that this file is not empty and has been properly uploaded. It is a hidden file so you may not find it in your FTP client. But you should be able to find it in your CPanel's File Manager.
You also need to make sure that the REWRITE module is really included in your APACHE compilation. Address to the tech support of your hosting company to figure that out.
2) Now regarding not found files and folders.
In the previous step I already told you about the .htaccess file and why it may be invisible. But there are some folders in Dolphin package that may not be even extracted only because they are EMPTY. Yes, some extracting software does not support extracting empty folders or files. In this case, you need to apply some keys which will allow you to do that. But these keys are specific for each extracting software type. Ok, the only tweak that you can do here is extract the package on your local computer using WinZIP or WinRAR and then upload the contents using File Manager or FTP client. This will take a while, that's why I would recommend you extract the package on the server (using File Manager in CPanel) and then create or re-upload the missing files or folders.
Thank you for your attention.
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I said what I wanted to say, and I used this term because spamming means sending many mails usually with the same contents. It's none more than your own assumption about what other meaning I could have put into this term. As well as other multiple assumptions that you make (paying customers, absence of documentation, etc.) You're like sitting there and producing one assumption in a minute even without trying to move somewhere else, click some extra links in your browser and eventually see more
# Spam (electronic), unsolicited or undesired electronic messages (named after the Monty Python sketch); in particular:
* E-mail spam, unsolicited or undesired email messages
resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam
"As well as other multiple assumptions that you make (paying customers, absence of documentation, etc.) You're like sitting there and producing one assumption in a minute even without trying to move somewhere else, click some extra links in your browser and eventually find our Trac area with the very documentation you're talking about."
I have clicked on links in my browser, and of course wont waste my time finding everything that is wrong see more
"Now regarding your comment about "ability to check if mod_rewrite is installed". Did you ever saw Dolphin technical requirements? I think we have specified enough info there that you should check with your hosting provider. Just imagine that sometimes you need to communicate with people to clarify some things. And no script can substitute this communication. You should not cover yourself in some kind of a shell but socialize and try see more
"Actually the term "spam" refers mostly to those who don't bother clicking some extra links and reading some extra info on this site. The problem specified here was raised already in Dolphin 6.x and I believe it is my right to call such requests "a spam" especially when the fix has been published in the Trac for months."
We are talking about most likely a new customer base, that see more
"Yes, I'm ashamed, but I'm ashamed of you doing nothing but trying to pour some dirty stuff on my comments. Try to help, create other posts that will help people overcome these troubles. We cannot oversee every possible problem, and our clients comments and posts help us very much, but if they spam us with something that already was discussed and published some months ago, that is very discouraging, you know."
you think see more
I have changed the topic heading. I wanted to express how multiple those requests are although the track article that you have found refers to Dolphin 7.0 to the same extent. That is why I said "months" instead of "days".
And I want to say that I explained this issue to every member who emailed me without sending them to the trac. Trac articles are being updated as soon as a new problem is detected and that can happen several times a day. That's why it is impossible see more
this would really help, then in those threads we could have specific sticky posts that would reference the trac or any other documentation.
thanks see more
If a company's product requires a lot of support requests you do not blame the customer.
Ever hear the saying "The customer is always right!"
Anybody with their head in the right place (E.G. Not where the sun don't shine) should understand there is some kind of short coming with the documentation and/or installation possess. It doesn't matter if the instructions are 'out there' if the customer doesn't know that they need them, or where to find them.
Add an see more
A long time ago in a blog post, I made the suggestion that Boonex provide a single php file that people could upload to their server, that would check to see if ALL server requirements are met, BEFORE they attempt an installation, with suggestions on how to correct the problem if one is found. I think to check for mod rewrite might take 2 or 3 files, but that's a lot simple than uploading and installing D7. The purpose of this would be to help people make sure that their server meets installation see more
Giving everybody such easy, and cheap access to an agent was a big mistake in my opinion. You guys really should rethink the system a bit, or else your staff will be so busy reading all these nuisance mails, you won't have time for anything else. It's hard to take something back once you've given it, but you need to place some sort of limitations on the agent system according to membership level. Doing that will piss some people off, but that's see more
I appreciate your help Igor and understand you're inundated with requests, but writing a blog post like this really sends a bad image.
I agree with the comments about Agents, it doesn't seem to work, its a nice idea. But whats the point if the agents are too busy see more
I'd add more to this, but it'd be considered "Provocative" by someone and deleted. So I'll just let it go at that.
You know what I'm talking about too guys.
that the line
RewriteBase / (for dolphin in root)
or
RewriteBase /yourdolphinfolder/ (where your dolphin folder is)
is missing and required for many servers
also the same for orca .htaccess
I took the relevant paths by searching out my problem, but couldn't find any answers at all - then deano and DosDawg tried to kindly help - when nothing worked, I contacted Anton which was a few days ago now, but didn't see more
I figured it out on my own, but I have been doing this kind of stuff for years.
Whats actually hard to get working correctly, even compared to D6 is Videos. (not found, not processed, won't upload over 2M, no audio for recordings...)
I am a professional web developer, I own a hosting company & boast a customer base of over 25,000 clients. I came here, hoping that see more
I started by searching on the forums when I encountered a problem, but at this moment the forums are overloaded and the 'search' option is not really helpful.
Regarding the Dolphin script : I get more support from my provider then I get from Boonex staff.
As for other comments, I can say that we do need a more accessible Manual and Troubleshooter, which will be available ASAP. Agents are already working on this.
Please don't blame BoonEx because of my involuntary intention to accept this emotional poke. My response is only my response, so crucify me and no one else. I will try to make Trac more up-to-date and contain as many troubleshooters as there can be.
Actually, my first intention was to explain the bug and its fix, and I just didn't forsee your possible attitude to the specific words in my topic. I will strive to write more professional and less emotional topics in the future.
I'm see more