Converting to HTML

If you have already created a document in LaTeX, WordPerfect, etc., then you may want to convert it to HTML rather than starting from scratch.

• Wordperfect or Microsoft Word
  The best way to convert Wordperfect or Microsoft Word documents is to upgrade to the newest version. Each has the ability to "save as HTML." (Note: equations will be converted to gifs.)
• LATeX
  We have a converter installed on gauss. Login to gauss and type "latex2html filename.tex". The program will create a subdirectory containing all the html files and graphics. (Note: equations will be converted to gifs.) Move this directory beneath your public_html directory.
• Other formats
  See the HTML Converters FAQ

Password Protection

Our web server allows you to control who can access different directories. I use it to give my students access to their grades.

Note that the following methods of access control can work independently, or be combined.

The .htaccess file (NOT htaccess.txt) is a hidden file, use ls -a to see hidden files within a directory.

Host Filtering

Host filtering is used to limit document trees to certain machines, most likely local machines or those directly involved in a project.

For example, I have some documents which are for people in the Math Department only. If you are not from a machine in math.montana.edu, you can't access them.

This is acomplished by placing a file called .htaccess in the directory that contains the document. Note that now ALL documents in that directory and in all sub-directories are protected.

In this case, the .htaccess file contains:

     AuthUserFile /dev/null
     AuthType Basic
     AuthGroupFile /dev/null
     AuthName "Example Allow From MATH"

     <Limit GET>
     order deny,allow
     deny from all
     allow from .math.montana.edu
     </Limit>

I have another directory that I don't want people in this department to read.

In this case, the .htaccess file contains:

     AuthType Basic
     AuthUserFile /dev/null
     AuthGroupFile /dev/null
     AuthName "Example Deny From MATH"

     <Limit GET>
     order allow,deny
     allow from all
     deny from .math.montana.edu
     </Limit>

User Authentication

If your users are using a browser that supports user authentication, like Netscape/Mozilla or M$ Internet Explorer, you can have the users authenticate themselves with a user name and a password before they are able to access protected documents.

For an example, I have created a user.

• blong password sleepless

I have protected this directory so that only blong can access it.

AuthType Basic
AuthUserFile /usr/local/apache2/passwd/htpasswd
AuthName "Descriptive name name here"

<LIMIT GET>
Require user blong
</LIMIT>

I have protected this directory so that only blong can access it, and only from guass.math.montana.edu.

     AuthType Basic
     AuthUserFile /usr/local/apache2/passwd/htpasswd
     AuthGroupFile /dev/null
     AuthName "Example Allow From GAUSS.MATH"

     <Limit GET>
     order deny,allow
     deny from all
     allow from gauss.math.montana.edu
     Require user blong
     </Limit>

Notice the line that begins with "AuthUserFile". In the last example, it pointed to the file "/usr/local/etc/httpd/passwd/htpasswd". You must point it to your own file. Basically, there are two parts to password protection:

1. Put a file called ".htaccess" in the directory you want to protect. Copy the example above and modify a few lines.
   • AuthType Basic (leave this alone)
   • AuthUserFile (change to the path of your file, discussed below)
   • AuthGroupFile /dev/null (leave this alone)
   • AuthName (change to the text that you want to appear at the top of the password dialogue box - note quotes)
   • <Limit GET> (leave this alone)
   • order deny,allow (leave this alone)
   • deny from all(this line and the next go or stay together, omit unless you want to exclude users from certain machines)
   • allow from gauss.math.montana.edu (see directly above)
   • Require user (change to a user listed in the AuthUserFile, explained below)
   • </LIMIT> (leave this alone)
2. AuthUserFile
   The AuthUserFile is a text file that you create. It contains usernames and encrypted passwords (one user per line). E.g.,
   blong:feWCE9YuVPnFI
user2:02dfvzXkx4mqg
   Just use emacs, pico, etc., to create and edit this file. Then make sure the AuthUserFile line in .htaccess refers to the right place. It is best not to put the AuthUserFile under your public_html directory. Also, notice the path to the AuthUserFile is a unix path not a URL.
   You can encrypt a password by entering the text in the box (try it and see a more complete example.)
   (hit return)
   8 character max
   Paste the result into your AuthUserFile.

Other Information

• Counters
• Forms
• ImageMaps

Other Sources

• HTML Information
  • Complete HTML 4.0 reference
  • WDVL: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Web Technology
  • ReallyBig HTML reference
  • Basic HowTo-MakeAWebPage
• JAVA
• • Gamelan - developers.com
  • Javascript tip of the week
  • JavaScript Guide/Reference
• Graphics (see above)
• • GIF Wizzard Home Page
  • Gifworks

Our local Tutorials:
Basic HTML | Less Basic HTML | More Advanced HTML | Web Design II A mini-seminar