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Cannot seem to update a website
Help, please, dear Xara Gurus..... Every year I've done a website for an annual local festival. This year I opened 2017's .web file and did a "save as" to a new 2018 version, renaming it and using a new folder., then "export website" to the new folder. Only some of the site needs changing every year, so I save as much as possible.. Before doing an FTP upload of the revised 2018 version, I deleted all the existing files that populated last year's site, then uploaded the new one. (This was AFTER uploading a couple of times using the command to replace existing files with new ones.) But nothing I've tried results in the website actually being updated with 2018 information. It's still the 2017 site. Any ideas what I'm not doing or doing wrong?
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
First & foremost ensure you're not loading the site from your local computer cache. In your browser hit Ctrl + F5. Get back if this doesn't solve the issue ;)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Nope, sadly, that didn't do a thing. Thinking that might be the problem, I'd emptied my cache a few times, to no avail. :confused:
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
That's fine, we've eliminated that as a cause. Next thing to ensure is that you're publishing to the correct directory on your hosting server. How are you doing this, via Xara's ftp or exporting & uploading via an ftp program like Filezilla?
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I use FileZilla and uploaded (or published) to the same directory on the hosting server I've used for years. After failing to see the changes after publishing the first time, I deleted all the files in that directory and started from scratch, publishing the new version. But the old one persisted. Reckon you're right that it's a destination problem, but I can't suss out where it's going if not to the directory I've selected. The host's list of the directory contents all looks right - correct upload date and time, matching what I've got in my computer files, etc. - but the published results remain 2017. The mystery of the ghoul in the machine. (I"m gong to shut down now and take this up again the morning. Thank you for willing to be helpful!)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I'm with you, it's quarter to 4 in the morning & I'm off to bed too.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Hi PeeWee,
I am new to Web Designer and haven't uploaded a website with the program yet, but I have been using FileZilla for years using files created from WebEasy Professional. I upload them to the public_html directory of a previous website I created with that program. FileZilla shows two lists side by side. On the right are the files on the server and on the left are the files I want to upload from my computer. If you delete the files on the server first and then upload the new ones and compare the file sizes it shouldn't show the old files you deleted. Unless you are accidentally uploading the old ones again from the wrong directory.
If there are TWO public_html directories on the server for some reason, go into the portal of the web host and take a look.
John
EDIT: Just noticed this thread. Maybe this is a problem I may encounter myself using XARA.
https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...o-uk-as-a-host
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I noticed that it was quite early morning for you, but didn't think it my place to ask what on earth you were doing up at that ungodly hour! :-)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I've been using Web Designer and FileZilla for years and haven't run into this problem before. Yes, deleting files from the server and re-uploading the new files was what I did but I still get the 2017 site, not the new 2018 one. I've also emptied the cache, rebooted the computer and nothing seems to help. Also, I do know that I'm using the correct directory on the server. Weird!
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Does it all looks fine in preview? If so, perhaps create a new directory on the host (call it test or whatever) and upload to that directory, then you can get to it via www.(yourwebsite).com/(new directory name)/index.htm (or .html, which might be something to think about as a cause of your problem).
At least you get a completely new site with no ghost in the works.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I BELIEVE IN THIS CASE WE NEED THE URL OF YOUR SITE and you to attach your web file to hunt down this issue (Sorry not shouting just the caps lock on ;) )
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
If you give us a URL to look at then maybe we may see something you don't. Also a screenshot of what it should look like from your preview, for us to compare.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
So I went back to my notes from a few years ago regarding FileZilla and checked my settings and procedure.
1. Make sure left pane shows proper directory I want to upload
2. Delete all files from server
3. Upload as BINARY
John
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
And what was the result John? ;)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Egg Bramhill
And what was the result John? ;)
It ALWAYS updated. It was (is) FileZilla version 3.8.0 running on Windows XP Pro.
John
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
FileZilla is now up to version 3.34. I suggest updating to start with.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miko
FileZilla is now up to version 3.34. I suggest updating to start with.
I am not the one having the problem, the OP is. I am just trying to be helpful. I merely mentioned my version because perhaps something changed with newer versions. Look at these posts:
https://forum.filezilla-project.org/...ic.php?t=17646
https://forum.filezilla-project.org/...ic.php?t=30436
https://forum.filezilla-project.org/...ic.php?t=32644
https://www.000webhost.com/forum/t/m...strating/45759
John
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
bkjohns, long delay in responding 'cause your instructions scared me! :-) They're above my mental pay-grade. My comfort level stops after designing the site; the tech stuff is smoke & mirrors to me. Soooo, some really basic questions.... Is what I call a new folder the same as a new "directory?" And can I do this on/in what might be called a sub-let on someone else's host? (A community member offered to let us use his host account for our site for free.) Also, after a new directory is created, you say I can "get to it via www.(yourwebsite).com/(new directory name)/index.htm" does that mean I have to change the link to the site in places it's been published? I'm sorry to be so dim, but even though this whole effort is as a volunteer, I still need to figure it out and get something up. I sooo appreciate your help!
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Thanks, Miko, they're pretty good at making sure one's updated, and I am - just to make them stop those annoying pop-ups! :-)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
In your local folder where you have exported your site. Have you check that it working ok by clicking on the index page. This will open as if live.
When you uploaded the new site, did you also include the index_html_files?
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PeeWee
bkjohns, long delay in responding 'cause your instructions scared me! :-) They're above my mental pay-grade. My comfort level stops after designing the site; the tech stuff is smoke & mirrors to me. Soooo, some really basic questions.... Is what I call a new folder the same as a new "directory?" And can I do this on/in what might be called a sub-let on someone else's host? (A community member offered to let us use his host account for our site for free.) Also, after a new directory is created, you say I can "get to it via
www.(yourwebsite).com/(new directory name)/index.htm" does that mean I have to change the link to the site in places it's been published? I'm sorry to be so dim, but even though this whole effort is as a volunteer, I still need to figure it out and get something up. I sooo appreciate your help!
Hi PeeWee,
Yes, a new folder is a directory. And you should be able to create the directory under whatever directory you currently upload to - so if you are uploading to the directory public_html (pretty normal to be that), then in Filezilla create the directory under public_html by right clicking on that directory and choosing the 'Create Directory' menu option. Give a name, then when you go to upload your site files just upload them to the directory you just created. If all goes well that directory should contain all of your site files, including an index_html_files subdirectory. If you get that far, then from your browser open up your site. In the address bar of the browser your site url should be visible (such as www.peewee.com/index). So to get to the test site, replace index with your new directory name (if you called it 'test', then the url would be www.peewee.com/test. Then add '/index.html' (no quotes) after test, and hit enter. It should take you to the test site you just uploaded.
Remember, this is not live on the web to everybody unless they know the directory name you created. This is just to see if it is the updated site you are trying to upload for real. If it works fine, then I would think you have uploaded your actual site to an incorrect directory or not uploaded some required files.
Good luck.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
I have tried this and so many times it does not refresh until I delete all my cache. Not sure why xara does this or is it a browser thing?
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Quote:
Originally Posted by
behzad
I have tried this and so many times it does not refresh until I delete all my cache. Not sure why Xara does this or is it a browser thing?
It is a browser thing. It is com pounded by the fact a designer modifies and previews in the same browser repeatedly. The Xara Preview uses IE and if Xara was smart such issues would never be apparent in the built-in browser it uses if Xara were to present each preview as a different random virtual site. The other thing Xara does on publish is to increment the filename for images so this ought to avoid caching issues.
If really worried then you need to force caching off somehow.
Usually, this is added to a page Head:
<metahttp-equiv="Cache-Control"content="no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate"/>
<metahttp-equiv="Pragma"content="no-cache"/>
<metahttp-equiv="Expires"content="0"/>Only do this on frequently changing pages and remove when the site is more stable.
Acorn
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
By default, on pretty much all hosting out there, HTML files are not cached designated by server settings although this can be overridden in code as acorn demonstrated.
I think the issue here must be the destination folder.
Typically, hosting has a root ftp for an account which points to a base folder. Within that folder, there is usually a folder called public_html which is the one you will need to upload the files to. There are variations to this (especially when several domains are hosted within a single shared hosting) but please confirm that is the folder you are uploading to.
(Sorry to repeat so much of what has been said already,)
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Thanks, Miko. Yes, I've looked at previews as well as opening pages from its folder in Windows. And, yes, never fail to upload the index_html_files.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Yes, sculptex, that's where I go on the server and within the public_html folder is one that's dedicated to my site. In my dedicated folder is the index_html _files. I'm about to upload as a general comment a couple of screen shots and the url in question. Thanks for you help.
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Thanks everyone for your good suggestions and willingness to help, but just tried again and I'm still getting no update. Here is the information you've asked for attached.
The url is www.salisburyfallfestival.org
Attachment 121520Attachment 121521
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Why is the 2018 fall festival in a directory under the public_html directory instead of directly into public_html? Is there another site there that you don't want to overwrite?
Also, from the screen shot from Filezilla, the dates on the index_html_files on your system are from 7/2/2018, and the index_html_files folder on the host (right pane) shows updated 7/7/2018. I don't know how you have the files sorted on your computer in FZ, but it isn't in alphabetical order so I'm guessing by date, so if that is the case then the files from 7/2/2018 were uploaded on 7/7/2018, so if you made changes between 7/2 and 7/7 they didn't make it to the host.
Edit: Where are the 2017 festival files? Are they on your host server or somewhere else? If you are running as a subdomain under someone else's account you will need to set it up to point to your site location.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
One other thing that looks unusual - your directory tree on the left pane of FZ (your computer) shows 2 sub-directories under a directory called 2018 Fall Festival. The index_htm_files should get published from Xara as a sub-directory of the directory with your site files, which would indicate your site files to be uploaded are in the parent. Are there files in the parent directory of 2018 Fall Festival? Can you give us a screenshot of that directory?
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Yes, bkjohns, I'm nervous about disturbing other sites on the server, which is why I use the sub-directory. I've used the same directory for years and never had a problem. The discrepancy in dates is because I made the changes on 7/2 and haven't done anything since, until today when all I did was try again to update the site, no changes, thus the 7/7 date. (Haven't been in my home office or turned on the computer since 7/2 'cause there's no AC and it was 104 degrees in here.) My sorting is indeed done by date because only the new files get uploaded.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Cannot seem to update a website
bkjohns, not quite sure what you mean. Is this what you're asking for? The second sub-directory is the one where Xara put things like pdfs.
Attachment 121524
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
That's totally confusing. Why are your folders/files under different file names on your hard drive and your web server?
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Here is what a normal directory structure from Xara looks like:
Attachment 121525
The files for the pages to the web site (index.html, about.html, etc) are in the parent (Olpen Video Services) and the index_htm_files are a sub-directory off of that.
To transfer that to your structure, the web site files would normally be output to 2018 Fall Festival, not to the other sub-directory under it with the similar name, with the index_htm_files as a sub-directory (as it is now). So give us a screenshot of the contents of the parent directory of 2018 Fall Festival.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Egg Bramhill, but they're not different.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Is this what you're looking for?
Attachment 121526
Don't know if it's clear that I don't "publish" from within Xara, if that makes any difference. Thus, after exporting the website, what I do is open FZ and select the new files by date in the "index_html_files" folder and drag them into the same-named sub-directory on the server, then drag the four pages over to the parent directory -"salisburyfallfestival." Because most all of my sites use pdfs, Xara has always created "(site name)_web_files" folder when I export the site after changes have been made. I guess I'm surprised to see that doesn't seem to be universal.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Yep, that was what I wanted to see. From the screenshot I can see that the index.htm file on your hard drive is bigger than the one on the host (20,018 vs 19,813), so it doesn't seem to me that you are uploading the correct file, or not telling FZ to overwrite. I do the same as you, publish to html and then use FZ to upload. I have FZ set to always ask what to do with the files, and choose overwrite if newer and apply to current queue only.
Something else to consider (that shouldn't be the issue here but I'll throw it out) is that from time to time things on my sites don't get updated correctly when I only upload the current newest files. Sometimes I have to go back and pick several older files as well (such as the last date uploaded) before things work right. But the file size dif on your page files seems to indicate that is the issue and not some missing files.
Good luck - since I do the same as you I want to figure this out in case I run into the same thing someday.
Edit: Okay, forget the file size dif - apparently FZ or the host shows a smaller file than the uploaded (it is the same with my site that works fine) so that doesn't seem to be it either. A head scratcher for sure.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Have you tried exporting the site to a new directory on your hard drive? Maybe something isn't getting overwritten by Xara when putting it in the what appears to be well tested 2018 folder. And that the files didn't go into the 2017 folder out of habit (I've done it - isn't hard to do!).
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
It's not clear what you are doing OR WHERE you are uploading the 2018 files, but what is clear, is that the files on the server that are being referenced ARE the 2017 files. It certainly looks like you are uploading them to the WRONG subdirectory. I would have expected the correct index.htm file to be in the public_html folder, NOT a subfolder under that. Without breaking any confidences, can you show a file listing of the public_html folder.
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Re: Cannot seem to update a website
Well, that is just too weird! I always DO select "Overwrite" in FZ, so I can't imagine why the file sizes are different. All four of the "pages" are different sizes. Does FZ compress files??? There's no question in my now fading mind that the files on the left are the same ones that are dragged over to the right. What on earth is changing them? I'm beginning to think the fault lies with the server. The guy who offers us space said something about his either having changed servers or his server changing something. I didn't pay close attention, 'cause I didn't think it would matter. Plus, I also just made a few updates on another site I do (different server/host) and it went through my usual process easily, no hassles, so it's not Xara or FZ. Gonna crash and take this up in the morning. Thank you!