AOL Press 2.0:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Help for Users of AOL Press 2.0

Yep.

This question gets asked about once a week on the Message Board for various incarnations of Windows. So far no one has reported any problems using Press 2.0 with any version of Windoze.
AOL Press 2.0 Message Board link: aol://5863:126/mB:335864

(A) They aren't 'in' AOL Press 2.0, even though that was used to write them.
(B) They are stored in computers belonging to AOL from which they may be downloaded, edited, and uploaded.
(C) AOL Press 2.0 may still be used for this purpose.
(D) These AOL host computers no longer understand the 'http put' command that AOL Press 2.0 uses to automatically upload edited pages to when 'File' 'Save' was used in AOL Press 2.0
(E) There is an alternative way to Save:AOL Press 2.0 Manual Save Page will walk you thru it.
(F) There is another 'ftp://members/' way explained on http://members.aol.com/kitestackflyer/ftp.html.

This is the Error Message received AOL Press tries to Save directly to AOL.
The workaround is to click File, then Save As, and Save the file to the hard drive, then upload manually.
Check out: AOL Press 2.0 Manual Save Page

Welcome to yet another AOL FTP space hiccup.
This usually happens when an exisiting file is modified then uploaded. The FTP space is being asked to upload a file that already exists in the space. In other words, the FTP space is being asked to overwrite an existing file.Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't.When you can't, you get the error message above.

The safest work-around is to Upload the file using a slightly different name. I use filenameNEW.whatever.  After the new file is successfully Uploaded, use the Utilities option to delete the old file, then use the Utilities option to Rename the new file with the old name. Clunky, but effective.

Hint: It is possible to upload the SAME file with a different name. In FTP space, click Upload. In the Upload/Remote Filename type: FilenameNEW.whatever. Then use Select File to find filename.whatever on the hard drive. Click on Open. Click on Send. It uploads as FilenameNEW.whatever, but its contents are the edited contents of filename.whatever.

Nope. AOL Press 2.0 was, and is, a great Web Editor.
Some new procedures need to be learned, But Press still works great.
Read Paul Horvick's great comments on the current state of affairs: Paul Essay
Check here for how to use Press with AOL: AOL Press 2.0 Manual Save Page

(6) * Should I save copies of my web files on my hard drive?

Absolutely. All of the files that make up your web site should be backed up not only on your hard drive, but also on a more stable, removable medium like a floppy or a CD. AOL has recently had a bad habit of losing complete web sites. Those users without backups were just plain out of luck. 

While you are at it, store a copy of the AOL Press 2.0 download is the same spot.

* denotes a FAQ question suggested by HOST Comp Hikk

Yep. They have been doing that as AOHell upgrades its servers. Sometimes they come back in days, sometimes in weeks, and, in rare cases, not at all. Have you noticed that AOL advertises its email capabilities and never its web space? You do have copies, right ?

Yes. Easily. You may open them online, or store them on the hard drive. AOL Press 2.0 is an excellent Web Editor and writes good old fashioned HTML real well.

AOL Press 2.0 and America Online really have nothing to do with each other. AOL Press just writes code. Period. Once it writes the code, and a good webmaster stores the code on their hard drive, it may be uploaded to any host space.

(9)  My changes aren't showing up!

Chances are good that you are viewing a 'cached' or saved version of the page. If you have been online and used AOL to view the page before trying to look at a 'new' version, you are probably looking at the 'cached' version.

Use AOL to go to the Page. When it loads. RIGHT click on it and choose 'Refresh' from the menu that appears.

If the page is reluctant to Refresh, holding Ctrl while clicking Refresh can force a Refresh.

If you are clicking on the Circle Arrow on the Browser Toolbar to Refresh, holding Ctrl while clicking the Circle Arrow can force a Refresh.

When you are online, on the Browser/Keyword line, type in FTP, or MYFTPSPACE, or MY SPACE. Click Go.
The window that pops up says 'My FTP Space'
The second option down on the right side of the window is: 'See My FTP Space'. Click that.
That gets you to the 'members.aol.com:/screename that lists all the files that make up your web site(s) for that Screename.
This is where it is possible to Upload, Download, Delete, Rename, and otherwise manage your web page files.

First, thanks HOST Comp Hikk for the corrected information!

My new favorite way of checking, as of 8 December, 2002:
On the browser/Keyword line, type this URL:
ftp://members.aol.com/screename    Then click 'Go'.
This pops a window that shows remaining space, and also a list of all files in the space.
But, best of all, it can be put in Favorite Places for quick and easy access.

Checking FTP space the other quick and dirty way:
Click here: aol://5862:144
The Window that pops up says: Anonymous FTP on the blue line at the top.
Then it says:File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
There is a standard scroll window across the bottom.
Scroll to 'members.aol.com', put the Cursor over it and double click.
In the window that pops up, in the second paragraph, it will show how much you are allowed for screename with which you signed on, and how much you have left.

Checking FTP space another way:
When you are online, on the Browser/Keyword line, type in FTP, or MYFTPSPACE, or MY SPACE. Click Go.
The window that pops up says 'My FTP Space'
On the left side of the window near the bottom (inside the blue up arrow) it says:
'Anonymous FTP'. Click on it.
The Window that pops up says: Anonymous FTP on the blue line at the top.
Then it says:File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
There is a standard scroll window across the bottom.
Scroll to 'members.aol.com', put the Cursor over it and double click.
In the window that pops up, in the second paragraph, it will show how much you are allowed for screename with which you signed on, and how much you have left.

While you are in this window (the one that shows how much FTP space is left), notice that there is no way to add this window to your Favorite Places. Sheesh. There is, however, a red heart (or check mark) in the top right hand corner of the Anonymous FTP window. Click on it and Save the Window to Favorite Places and it will be much easier to do this next time!

It is a very good idea to have the 'Anonymous FTP' Window and the 'members.aol.com/screename' Window (your FTP Space window) stored in Favorite Places for quick access.

Where Can I Download AOLPress for a PC?

http://www.freewareweb.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi?download=1&ID=926

http://www.brgzell.salzburg.at/download/Aolpress/AolPress/

http://www.daviestrek.com/software/aolpress/

http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~jwfoltz/webme/support/download.htm

http://www.mmsd.org/webpub/aolpress.htm

Where can I download AOLPress for a MAC?
AOLPress for Mac System 8.5/8.6 (This is an AOL link)

Bob Driver maintains a great page of AOL Press 2.0 information.
His Press 2.0 download is at:
http://www.bullseyecrosshairs.com/aolpress/aolpress.htm

Another place to download AOL Press 2.0:
http://members.aol.com/dfyretoad/aolpress.htm ** This page seems to be down as of 10/2002

* denotes a FAQ question suggested by HOST Comp Hikk

(13)
* Why don't my images show up?

One common problem is a change of case in the filename between the code in the page, and the image file itself. If it says 'pic.jpg' in the code, and the file is uploaded as 'PIC.jpg, it won't show up. Same for 'pic.jpg' becoming 'pic.JPG' Won't show. The code on the page and the filename for the image must be exactly the same.

Another common problem is mis-using Absolute and Relative links to the picture. The HTML code on the page is telling the computer to look for the image file someplace other than where it is at. Choosing Absolute links, where the images are stored in a separate folder in the FTP space, usually cures this.

Caveat: When working from the hard drive, offline, taking an image file from the hard drive, an Absolute link will write the code for the picture as 'C:\folder\folder\imagefile.extension'. That is the way it will uploaded to the web space. Unfortunately, once in the web space, it no longer has access to the hard drive, and won't be able to find the picture. Even if the image file is uploaded to the FTP space, the code on the page is telling it to look on the hard drive.

Using a Relative link, the SRC tag tells the page to look for the picture in the same place as the HTML file for the web page. This works fine if indeed the HTML file for the page and the Image file for the picture are uploaded to the same directory in the FTP space. If you have a separate folder for Images in your FTP space, then use an Absolute link, and the SRC code would look like: SRC=http://members.aol.com/screename/Images/imagefile.extension

AOL Computer Center: Images Frequently Asked Questions
#9 and #10 (It might be better to include those two here instead of linking to them, thoughts?)

9. Why don't my graphics show up? All I get is a little red X in a white box.

Go to Keyword: MY FTP then select the "See My FTP Space" icon. Do you see your graphics listed? If not, upload them. If you do see graphic files listed, open your html file and make sure the name you reference in the <.IMG SRC= tag matches the name used for the graphic exactly (case counts). If the names don't match, update the filename in Keyword: MY FTP to match your image tag. To do this, select the UTILITIES icon then pick RENAME and enter the new name.

10. My graphics work for the AOL-imbedded browser -- Microsoft IE and with stand-alone Microsoft IE, but not for Netscape. What do I do?

If some of your images are not showing up in Netscape, they may not be real GIF images. Instead, it's possible that they're AOL's proprietary .ART format with GIF extensions. To find out if this is the case, go to Keyword: MY FTP and download one of the images that won't view in Netscape. Try to open it in any graphic viewer other than AOL. If you're told that it's not a valid GIF image, then you've found the problem. The solution: Open the image in AOL. With your graphic displayed in the topmost window, pick FILE > SAVE AS. Select "Save file as type" to GIF and then hit OK. Upload this file to Keyword: MY FTP (as a binary file) to replace the original. If you've "lifted" graphics off of web pages, they'll be saved in ART format unless you turn off "compressed graphics" in your web preferences first.

* denotes a FAQ question suggested by HOST Comp Hikk

(14)
Where can I get help on using AOL Press 2.0?
Download the User's Guide:
aol://4401:14711:1957154

(15)
Having trouble with editing/publishing/uploading changes?
Need help with the new Manual Save process for AOL Press?
http://members.aol.com/kitestackflyer/aolpress.html

(16)
Another great informational page for users of WS_FTP for uploads:
http://members.aol.com/dfyretoad/aolpress.htm ** This page seems to be down as of 10/2002

(17)
I have downloaded and installed WS_FTP.
How do I use it to upload files?

In 'Session Properties', the settings should be:

Profile Name: AOL
Host Name/Address: members.aol.com
Host Type: Automatic Detect
User Id: Anonymous (check the anonymous box)
Password: Put in your screenname@aol.com
Account/Comment: leave blank

Then click: OK

That should connect you to your members space at AOL.

There is a WS_FTP Tutorial at: Connecting to your website with WS_FTP Pro

(18)
* Can I spew my vitriol about AOL's shortcomings here and churlishly demand answers from the AOL staff members incorrectly presumed to be moderating?

Only if you want churlish answers full of shortcomings and vitriol.  ;-)

This was a FAQ question proposed by HOST Comp Hikk, a Community Leader in the AOL Computing Community. Hikk is refering to the AOL Press 2.0 Message Board. It is important to remember when using the Board that *everyone* who answers questions on the Board is a volunteer, giving of their time and talent and experience to try and help you. They don't work for AOL. Ranting on the Board doesn't really get back to the Powers That Be at AOL, it just irritates the people who are doing their best to help.

* denotes a FAQ question suggested by HOST Comp Hikk

(19)
* Hometown banner problems/How to get out of Hometown

AOL Computer Center: AOL Hometown FAQ

AOL Computer Center: Unregistering

AOL Computer Center: Stacking Banners

* denotes a FAQ question suggested and answered by HOST Comp Hikk

(20)
* When I copy/paste Javascript scripts into AOLPress, it jumbles them, why?

Most commonly, it is due to non-commenting. AOLPress is a non-Javascript editor and because of that, you have to make sure you properly comment the scripts or AOLPress will try to read them as HTML code instead.

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
<!--

//-->
</script>

Make sure the red parts are right after the opening tag and right before the closing script tag.

* denotes a FAQ question suggested and answered by HOST Comp Hikk

AOLPress conforms to the HTML 3.2 standards, and as such, doesn't "interpret" CSS style definitions. To see the changes, open your page with your regular browser and test it there.

* denotes a FAQ question suggested and answered by HOST Comp Hikk

Only AOL knows what this means and they aren't saying. It is one of those glitches that shows up when AOL is having a hard time keeping up with its customers. It shows up most often when trying to 'Save As' using 'ftp://members.aol.com . . ' to a screen name other than the Primary screen name for the account, even if logged on to the screen name being uploaded to. The good news is that probably the very next day it is possible to do exactly the same things, and it will Save no problem.

So, in practical terms, the 'error' means that the only way to Save, for that time, is to use the good old 'Save' to the hard drive, and upload using FTP, explained on the AOL Press 2.0 Manual Save Page.

* Where the heck has SpursKevin gotten to?
The Martians ate him :)

* denotes a FAQ question suggested and answered by HOST Comp Hikk

HOST Comp Hikk
Community Leader - Web Page Community
AOL Web Page Community

Hosted by Gary Engvall; gengvall@aol.com

http://members.aol.com/gengvall/index.html