Re: cvsweb

[John Minnihan]

Hi Jeanie,

The first time I set up cvsweb (about 4 or 5 years ago), I had problems too.
The key definitely is the configuration of the web server- don't give up.

Of more import is the issue with the two engineers.  Are you using Clearcase
now?  If so, abandon cvs and cvsweb and learn CC in order to support these
idiots.  They sound like gravel-heads who haven't a clue, and would misplace
their own address@hidden if it wasn't attached.

If you do not have CC in-house already (where did these jackasses use CC?  Here
or somewhere else?  If somewhere else, tell them - look Bastard - STFU.  You
work HERE now and HERE we USE cvs.  And you will NOT edit directly in the
repository (you can prevent this using techniques discussed thoroughly in the
list archives) )

Else continue plugging away with cvsweb.  Places to look:

cvsweb.conf.  There are a couple of smoking gun variables set in there.  Read
it, re-read it and the read it again.  And the INSTALL and README are useful.
What parts of that did you not understand?  Were there words or phrases in those
docs with which you are unfamilar?  If so, which ones?  that Form some questions
around that, and the problem will likley get solved quickly.

Ensure your web server is set to execute cgi for .cgi scripts.  The main cvsweb
script is cvsweb.cgi (if you have a standard distribution).  You will need a
ScriptAlias and a  <Directory> directive to alert Apache that this is a srcipts
directory.  (I'm going from memory here - other readers correct me if necessary)

Also - make sure that the user under which your web server runs (this is in
apache's httpd.conf ) is OK.  Setting this to nobody is generally OK.

address@hidden wrote:

> To answer all the questions:
>
> If it was running just fine, I wouldn't have posted.
>
> If I knew why the INSTALL and README did not help, I could possibly have
> formed a half-way intelligent question.
>
> If I had more than a one day of experience with web servers or cgi scripts I
> might have a clue.  The sysadmin doesn't know how to run a cgi script
> either.  I know, I know, don't get me started.
>
> It is quite possible I don't understand the basics.  Usability issue?  Quite
> likely.
>
> I was expecting something to show up in the browser.
>
> The server is not smoking but there is smoke coming from my cube due to a
> high level of frustration and lack of resources.
>
> a)  Is not an option. I'm not his boss.  And that's probably best ... for
> him.
> b)  I already did after I read everything myself and verified everything
> looked correct.
> c)  It may be making some assumptions of knowledge that I do not happen to
> have.
>
> Using the browser I can get to the top of that file system ... It says "HP
> Apache-based Web Server" at the top of the page.  To start the script, in
> the location bar of the browser I typed every permutation I could think of
> from http://pilot/cvsweb.cgi to the absolute complete path with port number
> http://pilot:80//opt/apache/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi
>
> I get two types errors: 404 and forbidden.
>
> Not Found
>
> The requested URL /opt/apache/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi was not found on this
> server.
>
> Apache/1.3.14 Server at pilot Port 80
>
> AND
>
> Forbidden
> You don't have permission to access /cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi on this server.
> Apache/1.3.14 Server at pilot Port 80
>
> Ok great, now what?  Everything appears to be installed correctly and I AM
> missing something because I don't know what to look for or where to look.
> Either the browser can't see it or isn't allowed to run the script or I'm
> doing it all wrong.  Perhaps it's how apache is set up but the sysadmin does
> not know how to do anything to apache and neither do I.   Do I have to write
> an html page and put it in htdocs to get it to run?  How does one reference
> a cgi script from within html?  How can I find more details about what's
> wrong?   Argh, my job is automating semiconductor tools and writing user
> interfaces ... I'm completely out of my element.   This whole thing started
> because I wanted to use CVS.  What was I thinking?  Why do we need a way to
> control revisions anyway?  Because I am exasperated by the engineers I work
> with (all men) stepping on files!  Needing cvsweb or viewcvs started because
> I work with two engineers who don't want to check out files but want to surf
> and vi files in the repository.  And I said NO.
>
> Jeanie
>
> > From: "Daniel Beckham" <address@hidden>
> > To: "Cvs \(E-mail\)" <address@hidden>
> > Subject: Re: cvsweb
> > Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 20:41:22 -0500
>
> > If all the things you told me are true, then cvsweb is running just fine,
> > you never said there was a problem.  Although, I would be quick to say,
> > ViewCVS is a better product in my opinion.  You can find details at:
> > http://freshmeat.net/projects/viewcvs/.  It requires Python 1.5, BTW.
>
> > But seriously... because your question is "devoid of details" no one can
> > help you.  Honestly, I don't even see what the problem is.  Why didn't the
> > INSTALL and README help?  Did they not have installation instructions?  Is
> > it possible that you might not understand the basics of how web servers
> and
> > cgi scripts interact?  What were you expecting to happen?  Is smoke coming
> > from your server?
>
> > Also, if your system administrator is clueless, then I recommend one of
> the
> > following:
> >   a. Fire him.. he's obviously too ignorant to be running complicated
> systems
> >   b. Ask him again; he's probably lying and doesn't want to take the time
> to
> > read over the installation and readme files for you. (BOFH)
> >   c. It's possible that cvsweb doesn't have proper instructions to help
> >  someone get started. (seriously unlikely, being that it's pretty
> popular.)
>
> _______________________________________________
> Info-cvs mailing list
> address@hidden
> http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-cvs

--
_____________________________________
John Minnihan
mailto:address@hidden
http://www.freepository.com