23 Sept 1997.  Notes on the SRE-FILTER 1.2k WWW server

SRE-FILTER is a "filter" for the free, GoServe IBM EWS Internet Server.
It is designed to work with OS/2 Warp (3 or 4), and with
GoServe 2.45+. It will work under  OS/2 2.11, but it uses the Warp
version of the REXXUTIL library (which contains some routines not in the
OS/2 2.1x version). In other words:
    If you use GoServe under OS/2 2.11, or with earlier versions
    of GoServe (prior to 2.45),you might have sporadic problems!

Cautions: 
   * if you are using OS/2 Warp Server; you may need to install
         the latest fix packs
   * If you are using Object Rexx (under OS/2 4.0), you will NOT be 
     able to use SRE-Filter.


Installation notes:

1) Obtain and install GoServe.
2) Unzip SREFV12K.ZIP to an empty, temporary directory...
   (you can use UNZIP, a recent copy of which is on the SRE-Filter home page)
3) Open an os/2 window
4) CD to this temporary directory
5) Run INSTALL.CMD.  You will be asked for a variety of
   directories.    You will also be asked for your IP address
   (it's optional). Furthermore, you will be given the opportunity to
   set a few parameters -- though you can always modify them later.

  If you are reinstallating SRE-FILTER:

     INSTALL will ask if you want to archive the (potentially) user-
     configurable files.  We recommend selecting this option.

     If INSTALL detects a pre-existing file, it will ask you if
     you want to overwrite it.  For some "configuration" files
     if will ask you twice!


6) Change your default filter (in GoServe) to be SREFILTR.80
   Alternatively, the SREFQUIK.80 or SREFAST.80 "simple-filter front-ends"
   can often be used (with some extra configuration) to improve performance.

7) After INSTALL is done, and assuming you were able to choose the defaults,
   point your browser at http://your.server.whereever/index.htm
   This SRE-Filter home page contains a number of useful links
   to documentation, demos, and configuration tools. Of particular
   interest is the users-guide, and the configurator.

   The users guide (GUIDE.HTM) outlines the capabilites of SRE-Filter, and
   points to further help.  It's a good place to start ...

   The configurator (which can also be accessed via
          http://your.server.whereever/CONFIGUR.HTM)
   has three modes: simple, intermediate, and expert.
   New users will probably be most comfortable with the simple mode.


Notes:

  *  For the latest version of SRE-Filter, demos, and add-ons --
     visit the SRE-Filter home page at http://rpbcam.econ.ag.gov/srefilter

  *  You can get the latest copy of GoServe (currently 2.50) from:
         http://www2.hursley.ibm.com/goserve/

  *  If GoServe won't let you in (because it can't find a filter), you can
     add "FILTER SREFILTR.80 " (without the quotes) to the
     GoServe WPS object (the icon's) "parameters" option.

  *  SRE-Filter ver 1.2k will NOT run under Object Rexx.  There
     is a (now aging) version of ver 1.2g that will run under Object Rexx
     (see the SRE-Filter home page for details).

  *  If you have relatively simple demands, the simple mode configurator
     may be adequate for all your needs. Conversely, if you want to
     optimize SRE-Filter's performance, you will probably want to
     use the intermediate, or expert, mode. If you decide to use
     SREFAST, you can use the SREFAST.HTM configurator.

  *  INTRO.DOC contains a 1 page summary of SRE-Filter's capabilites.

  *  Upgraders from prior versions of SRE-Filter should read CHANGES.DOC
     In particular, you should note that an ADDON_DIR has been
     added as of ver 1.2j (which might require updating earlier
     versions of SRE-Filter addons).
     .
  *  SREFILTR.FAQ contains answers to some frequently asked questions.

  *  The SRE-Filter "web-accessible manual" is SREFILTR.HTM.

  *  For optimization hints, and a complete description of the user
     configurable parameters, see INITFILT.DOC

  *  The various .IN and .CTL files that come with SRE-FILTER contain
     descriptons, and examples, of how to set up these "username,
     URL access control, etc." files.

  *  SRE-FILTER uses "OS/2 macro space" to store frequently
     used routines, and uses queues and semaphores for inter-thread
     communication.  To do this, the REXXLIB  library is used.
     Although you have free rights to use REXXLIB with SRE-FILTER,
     if you intend to use REXXLIB for something other then SRE-FILTER,
     you should obtain the REXXLIB package  from
     http://www.quercus-sys.com/rexxlib.htm.

  *  Several of the functions used by GoServe requires RxSock.DLL --
     the Rexx Sockets Support library.  It should be in your LIBPATH
     (it is usually in your \TCPIP\DLL directory).

  *  Several of SRE-Filter's facilities (i.e.; GETAFILE and !DIR) use
     Info-Zip's UNZIPAPI.DLL dynamic link library. It's free GNU-ware,
     available from hobbes.nmsu.edu.
 
  *  Several of SRE-Filter's facilities (i.e.; the send as output mode
     of CGI-BIN scripts, and the goaudit.80 file reader in the NUSTATUS
     addon) use the FILEREXX.DLL dynamic link library.  It's freely
     distributed software, available from hobbes.nmsu.edu (as FILEREXX.ZIP).

Acknowledgements:

 > Steve Ryckman provided great help: good suggestions, bug finds,
   and hosting the partial mirror site.

 > Don Meyer, author of the GoHTTP filter, was very gracious
   in allowing me to "build on his work".  In particular,
   much of the source code for HTACCESS file access-controls,
   CGI-BIN script processing,  and image map processing was adapted
   from his code.

 > Derek Sims (author of the IntrFilt filter) for helpful advice
   regarding multi-host servers.

 > Charles Daney for providing the REXXLIB library at a very reasonable
   price.

 > Dave Briccetti for providing the "SMTP using socket calls" code.

 > Ariel L. Szczupak for advice on working with queues and semaphores.

 > Richard Hughes for useful thoughts on discussion group software

 > The people at the INFO-ZIP project, for providing the UNZIPAPI
   dynamic link library.

 > the several early adopters (may they rest in peace) for their
   patience in dealing with stupid bugs

 > several individuals (mm, dr,  et al) for good suggestions that
   are now realities

 > .... and (of course) Mike Cowlishaw for creating GoServe, and always
   finding time to try and answer.



Questions? Contact Daniel Hellerstein : DANIELH@ECON.AG.GOV


                        ------------------------------

Basic copyright and it's never our fault disclaimer:

  Copyright 1996,1997 by Daniel Hellerstein. Permission to use this program
  for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that
  the author's name not be used in advertising or publicity
  pertaining to distribution of the software without specific written
  prior permision.
  With some proviso, this includes the right to subset and reuse the code,
  with proper attribution  The provisos are  several fold:
   1)  Portions of the code are adapted from other authors' work
       (these are noted where appropriate); you'll need to contact these other
       authors for appropriate permissions.
   2)  SRE-Filter uses Quercus System's REXXLIB procedure library.  The
       license for REXXLIB gives the author the right to distribute REXXLIB
       without charge.  This right may NOT extend to redistributors.
       Please contact Quercus Systems for details.
       SRE-Filter also uses Info-Zip's UNZIPAPI.  Although this is freely
       available software, you may wish to contact Info-Zip for details.
       Similarly, SRE-Filter uses Jeff Glatt's FILEREXX (a 1995 address
       is 6 Sycamore Drive East, New Hartford, NY 13413, 315-735-5350).
  3)  We, the authors of SRE-Filter and any potentially affiliated institutions,
      disclaim any and all liability for damages due to the use, misuse, or
      failure of the product or subsets of the product.

  Furthermore you may also charge a reasonable re-distribution fee for
  SRE-Filter; with the understanding that this does not remove the
  work from the public domain and that the above provisos remain in effect.

    THIS SOFTWARE PACKAGE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT EXPRESS
    OR IMPLIED WARRANTY.
    THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE PACKAGE,
    INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
    IN NO  EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR (Daniel Hellerstein) OR ANY PERSON OR
    INSTITUTION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PRODUCT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
    SPECIAL,INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
    RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION
    OF CONTRACT,NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR
    IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE PACKAGE.


   SRE-FILTER was developed on the personal time of Daniel Hellerstein,
   and is not supported, approved, or in any way an official product
   of my employer (USDA/ERS).




