Installing NetCloak

Didn't I Install NetCloak Already?

You should have already set up the NetCloak Introduction before getting to this page, which included a copy of NetCloak. The Introduction is designed to provide a simple and relatively fool-proof setup, making it as easy as possible to see NetCloak in action.

The easiest way to install NetCloak isn't necessarily the best way to use it day to day, however.

These instructions will show you how to configure your server so that files you select are always processed by NetCloak, and the NetCloak commands in them will always work. You will set up a MIME mapping so that files of a specific suffix, such as ".html", will always be processed by NetCloak. Most NetCloak users configure their server this way.

You probably noticed that all of the URLs for the introduction pages contain "NetCloak.acgi$". By specifying NetCloak in the URL, the Introduction pages are processed by NetCloak without making configuration changes to your server. However, for real-world use, it is safer and simpler to configure your Web server to simply send all pages ending with ".html" through NetCloak. The overhead in doing so is minimal, and you gain the ability to use NetCloak commands anywhere on your site you wish.

Choosing the CGI vs. the Plug-In Version

NetCloak includes two versions: a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) application, and a Plug-In. If your Web server supports the W*API standard for Web server plug-ins, we strongly recommend that you use the NetCloak Plug-In for the best results.

NetCloak imposes almost zero overhead when running as a Plug-In, making sure you always get peak performance from your Web server. With a correctly configured MIME mapping, NetCloak will process all of your pages automatically so you can use NetCloak commands in any of your pages.

The NetCloak CGI is not as fast as the plug-in, but is compatible with Web servers that do not support the W*API Plug-In interface. The CGI is also required for configuring and maintaining the NetCloak Plug-In.

Installing NetCloak

The instructions below assume that your Web server is already set up and configured for Web service, and that you have already installed the NetCloak Introduction files. Consult your Web server's documentation for instructions on how to set it up for Web service. Open the "READ ME!"file on the NetCloak 2.5 disk for instructions on setting up the NetCloak Introduction.

Choose which web server you are going to use NetCloak with:

• AppleShare/IP
• MacOS 8 Personal Web Sharing
• Quid Pro Quo
• WebSTAR
• WebTen
• Other Web Servers...

Getting Started

Once you have NetCloak up and running with your Web server, try looking at the Introduction pages in your Web browser, by connecting to your Web server with NetCloak installed. Then locate and open the same page directly on the server with a text editor such as SimpleText or BBEdit. Viewing the pages directly in a text editor will show you exactly how NetCloak commands are used, and seeing the results in your browser will give you an idea for how these commands are processed.

A complete list of NetCloak commands and how to use each of them is included in the NetCloak User's Guide.

You'll also want to launch TagBuilder, which makes using NetCloak commands as easy as drag and drop. TagBuilder's Tag window lists NetCloak commands and allows you to drag and drop them right into your HTML pages, using your favorite editor. In addition to being a great way to create "Cloaked" HTML pages, TagBuilder will show you all the available NetCloak commands, including how they are formatted. Basic help on using each command is also provided.