Secure Access to a Discussion Group

[Jeff]

I am using FP 2003. I am trying to create a discussion that is private. I
need user/pwd access to it. I am looking for advice on who has done this
successfully.

I tried the following so far:
1) I have put all of the HTML files in a new folder but (no password) but
the postings no longer show.
2) I put the _disc directory in that same folder and still no postings
3) I put all of the files and folders back to the main public_html directory
and add password control on the _disc directory. That seems to work....sort
of. Only when someone tries to read the posting do they get prompted for an
ID. They can still see the subjects, which are confidential.

I thought of using the Guestbook feature but I'm not sure how to turn it on.
Also, I want control of who gets access. Using the Guestbook seems like the
only way for the user's name to be captured.

My last option is to replace the FP discussion with something like PHPBB
which should work like a champ.

 

[JDR]

Jeff,

For the FP discussion, your best option would be to publish your discussion
group to a subweb and then apply unique permissions to it.

Before doing this, you will want to check with your host to make sure they
support it.

JDR
*********************

 

[Jeff]

I'll try it. Now I need some help converting to the subweb. I have some HTML
files for the discussion as well as a hidden directory called _investordisc
(anything else unique to the discussion that I missed?). I am also using
theme files, etc which from what I am reading, I will inherit from the main
web.

Should I simply copy the HTML and the _investordisc directory into a new
directory within the existing web and then convert that directory to a
subweb? Is it that simple?

 

[JDR]

Jeff,

Here is a tutorial that should help you through the process:
http://www.outfront.net/tutorials_02/fp_techniques/frontpage-subwebs.htm

JDR
**************

 

[Jeff]

I am making progress JDR. Thank you for your help. A few more follow-ups and
then I will be an expert.

1) So now I have a subweb with permissions on my server and need to get it
back on my local drive. At that point, I'll have to re-apply the styles that
I had. Is there a trick to this to avoid hosing the file permissions?
2) I'll need to link my main web to the subweb. Should I do this from my
local web to the local subweb?
3) When I publish the main web, will the subweb also publish or do I do them
separately?

 

[JDR]

Jeff,

See replies "Inline"

1) So now I have a subweb with permissions on my server and need to get it
back on my local drive. At that point, I'll have to re-apply the styles that
I had. Is there a trick to this to avoid hosing the file permissions?

The "Browse, Read, Write" permissions apply to the server, so publishing
files back to your local machine with FrontPage will not effect them.

2) I'll need to link my main web to the subweb. Should I do this from my
local web to the local subweb?

Subwebs are unique webs, so you will need to link with a full pathway:
http://www.myweb.com/subweb

3) When I publish the main web, will the subweb also publish or do I do them
separately?

They can be publishesd individually or together.

1- Go to View > Remote Website >
2- Select Remote Website properties > Click Publishing Tab
3- Select the options you want for "Subsite"

JDR
*********************