Citation: Copyright 1999 Internet Software Solutions


UPI Client Overview

UPI News Server Overview

The UPI News Server processes UPI News packets that are downloaded from Planet Connect or directly from UPI via FTP and then makes that information available via web or client services. If client services are used, you must use the UPI News Client in order to view the information. Web services can be viewed with most commonly used web browsers.

(United Press International) UPI does more than report news and information. They’re Shaping Knowledge™ for the next millennium. They will filter out the noise and give you concise information that you want. UPI provides news from breaking U.S, International, and State News, including Sports, Weather, and Special Features, to Financial Updates and Broadcast Segments — UPI is your best news source.


Settings

UPI News Server Settings

The settings option that can be found on the File Menu, allows you to access information pertaining to the server operation.

Client Server:

This option box is used to setup the Client Server. Configure this box if you wish to have users access the server using the UPI News Client. Enter the server port to use for client accesses. If you wish to restrict access and force logons, check user logon. If the logon option is checked, you must setup all users. See User Settings for more information on setting up user accounts.

WWW Server:

This option box is used to setup the WWW Server. Configure this box if you wish to have users access the server using a web browser. Enter the server port to use for the web server option. If you wish to restrict access and force logons, check user logon. If the logon option is checked, you must setup all users. See User Settings for more information on setting up user accounts.

IP Accept/Deny:

Use this option box to restrict access from a particular network IP. Separate each IP with a space if multiple IP are required. Wild card character “*” can be used also. E.G. 192.168.* would allow/deny an IP with 192.168.0.5.

News Packets:

This option dialog is used to specify the directory where the incoming UPI News packets are located and the semaphore file that is used to trigger the import of the new news files. You must also specify as to what type of packets you will be receiving. Their are two types Standard UPI packets or Planet Connect packets.

FTP Access:

This option dialog is used to specify FTP Access information. Use this are if you will be receiving the UPI News packets via a FTP File Server. Set the Retrieve Delay to the number of minutes to wait before downloading new updates. Normally 60 minutes is sufficient. Set this value to 0 to disable FTP Transfers.


Main Window Overview

Main Window

The main window is where all the functions of the UPI News Server can be found. Here you can find the log window which shows a daily log of who has done what on the servers.

Active WWW Connections:

This is the number of users currently logged in to the Web Server.

Active Client Connections:

This is the number of users currently logged in to the Client Server.

IP Address:

This is IP Address of your Server Computer or Dial-Up Connection.

Clear:

This will clear the log window.

Related Topics:

File Menu


File Menu

You can find key option on the File Menu. The following items can be found their.

Server Settings:

This option allows you to setup the servers. See Server Settings for more information on this subject.

User Accounts:

This option allows you to setup the User Accounts. See User Accounts for more information on this subject.

Delete All Articles:

This option will delete all cached news articles. Note: If the article has expired and is cached, you may access it as often as you like, however once deleted you will not be able to retrieve an expired article. A normal life expectancy is 48 hours from the time the article was created.

Delete Old Articles:

This option will allow you to delete only old expired articles that have been cached.

Process Now:

This will process all new news packets that have arrived but the semaphore file has not been sent yet.

FTP Fetch:

This will cause the server to retrieve the UPI News packs from the FTP Server now. You may wish to execute this option when the server is first started to refresh you news files.

FTP Cancel:

This will cause the server to Cancel the current FTP Fetch operation.

Exit:

Terminate UPI News Server Application


User Accounts

The User Account Information Window is used to setup user accounts. This is only needed if you require users to logon.

New:

This option allows you to add a new user.

Delete:

This option will delete the selected user.

Apply:

This option will apply the changes that have been made to the account.

Cancel:

This option allows you to cancel the changes you have made to an account.

Logon Name:

This is the user name that will be used to identify themselves.

Password:

This is the user password that will be used to verify themselves.

Expiration Date:

If the user has a time limit as to how long they may use the service, enter the date at which the user may no longer access the server.

Web Access:

Check this option if the user will be allowed to access the server using a web browser.

Client Access:

Check this option if the user will be allowed to access the server using the UPI News Client.

History:

This area is used to display the number of accesses the user has made for each server and the last time the user has used the service.


Customer Support

If you need assistance for your service, please contact your UPI News Service Provider.

For Customer Support for the UPI News Reader:

Internet:

issonline@cybergs.com	For Sales Information

http://www.cybergs.com/~issonline	WWW Web Page

cybergs.com	MS Net Meeting

U.S. Postal:

Internet Software Solutions

249 S.35 Street

Springfield, Or 97478


Planet Connect

The information is provided so that you may contact Planet Connect to obtain your UPI News Feed.

Planet Systems Inc.

1065 Cosby Highway

Newport, Tennessee 37821

Voice:	(423) 623-8300

Fax:	(423) 623-8751

BBS:	(423) 623-8111

WWW:	http://www.planetc.com


HTML Templates

The UPI Server uses HTML templates for the WWW Server option. If you wish to use this options, you can continue using the templates that come with the server or edit them to fit your current style of web pages that are on your server. If you edit the templates to match your current style, the UPI Server will look more integrated with your system giving your customers more of a professional look and feel.

You can make up the templates any way you wish, however you will basically need a header and a footer with the UPI Information filled in by the server in-between. You must use the key word $UPISERVER$ in the html code to indicate where you wish the UPI code to be inserted by the server. The html template file are located in the html directory of where you installed the server.


Services Data File

The service.dat file which is located in the main directory of the UPI News Server, contains a list of categories you wish to offer. This list can be modified using a standard text editor such as Notpad. This data file has the following format.

Service/Content Code,Description,Client Enabled,Web Enabled

e.g. 	MFG,Manufacturing Industry,1,1

•	1=Enabled

•	0=Disabled

•	All Service or Content Codes must be in all capital letters.

•	Service/Content Codes can be found in the UPI Manual Appendix C

NOTE: If you are using Planet Connect, DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE! If you do, the server will not operate correctly and may crash.


Tag Lines

You can insert a Tag Line at the end of each article by creating a text file called TAGLINES.DAT and place in the main server directory. Place one tag line per line in this data file. The server will randomly pick from the list and insert the tag.

This is useful for advertising.


Client Demo Option

The client has a demo logon option when you require users to log-on. If the user enters demo as the user name and demo as the password, he will gain access to all enabled categories and is allowed to view the article descriptions but will not be able to view the actual article.