Hi Dale and Ron
I'm glad I was able to be of some assistance. In rereading through the info
I posted, I realized that perhaps I could further clarify a few things.
A project will often work will running inside of Director regardless of
whether you set the proxyserver settings using the proxyServer() command.
This happens even when the programmer is sitting behind a proxyserver. Why
you might ask. Director has the same restrictions in authoring as in
projector so why would it work in authoring but not projector? The answer
to that question lies in the preferences that are setup for Director. In the
authoring environment, you can do a one time setup under File ->
Preferences -> Network to setup the proxyserver settings. This process is
the equivalent of using the proxyserver() command, but it is only available
while in authoring and it is only valid for the network you are one, hence
the requirement of the proxyServer() command. One of the biggest headaches
for those who do little projector type work (ie. live in a Shocked world) is
that when you go to use an Xtra and check the download if needed box,
Director returns an error along the lines of can't find the URL or some
other network error. This is a prime indicator that one is sitting behind a
proxyServer and the required Network preferences haven't been set
(especially if the browser works fine, but it doesn't rule out incorrect
info in the XtraInfo.txt file either).
The other issue is asking the enduser for the proxyServer info. On most
Windows boxes (don't have Win2K running here right now so I can't verify
this on that platform), the user has access to read the proxyServer settings
under the control panel -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN
Settings -> Proxy Server and depending on configuration the Advanced button.
However, be aware that it may be possible for an IT department to block
access to most of this info using Poledit or the equivalent, which can be
used to create a policy that doesn't allow the end user much access to such
settings (ie. Network Neighborhood, Settings menu on the start menu and a
whole range of other options can be disabled using policies). So as per
usual, while you can advise a client as to possible locations to look for
the info, they may require a trip to the IT department to verify the
settings and or get the appropriate info. (I included the above info so that
you have a clue as to where to look and the warning is there to make sure
that you are aware that the enduser may not be able to view such settings).
As a general rule, HTTP occurs on port 80 and FTP on port 21. However these
are major generalizations and IT departments are capable of almost any port
assignment (and some do just to spite endusers). One further warning hinted
at but not explicitly stated above, a movie may run fine in Authoring but
fail in Projector (without a proxyServer() command)when run on the exact
same computer because the Authoring environment has access to the Network
settings under Director's preferences but the projector does not (assuming
of course the computer in question sits behind a proxyServer). Once a
proxyServer() command is issued the setting is valid for the entire
projector session and does not have to be reset for each network transaction
(actually resetting it with each network transaction may actually cause
problems but I can't say for certain what happens to uncompleted network
operations when the proxyServer() command is issued).
Okay I think I've wasted enough bandwidth today. (Aside to Colin H. is the
writing style up to parr with your critical eye today? :) - to anyone
wondering its just a little counter poke at Colin in fun)
Sincerely
Mark
--------------------------------------------
Mark R. Jonkman
Mark R. Jonkman Consulting
ADDRESS: 20 Windermere Crt., Guelph, ON, CANADA N1E 3L4
PHONE: 519-837-8509
EMAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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