Preparing Maps for FTP Upload Using WinZip
Important Note: In order to propagate DIADvisor maps from your host to your FTP Clients there must be a subdirectory named "maps" under the directory on your FTP server where the FTP Uploader is writing data files. This directory must contain compressed bitmaps as self-extracting executables for the FTP Clients to download. There must also be a default map present named "map1.exe" (containing a bitmap file named "map1.bmp") which an FTP Client will always attempt to download if it does not have a local map to use. This document describes the manual steps required to prepare self-extracting map executables.
- Be sure there is a subdirectory named "maps" under the directory where your FTP Uploader is writing its data files. This is where
- Locate the map file(s) that you wish to upload to the FTP site. The file(s) should be in .bmp format. For the purposes of this document, we will use the following file as an example: DEN-CNTY.bmp.
- To package the maps for an FTP site, you will need to create a self-extracting executable for each .bmp file shown in the MapsDef table in the host's swatch2.mdb database file. In order to create this executable, you must first create a .zip file for each .bmp file. This .zip file must have exactly the same root filename as the .bmp file of the map it contains. For example, DEN-CNTY.bmp and DEN-CNTY.zip. The following instructions assume that you are using WinZip classic configuration of WinZip.
- From the 'File' menu, select 'New Archive' - or - click on 'New'.
- Enter the location where you would like the file saved, type in the name for the newly created ZIP file and click 'OK'. In our example, we would name the archive "DEN-CNTY.zip".
- Next you will be prompted to "add" files to your archive. Browse to the directory where your .bmp file is located. Highlight the file you wish to archive and click on 'Add". In our example, this would be DEN-CNTY.bmp.
- Once 'Add' has been selected, the file is compressed and you will be shown your new archive.
- Verify that the correct .bmp was added.
- Next you will need to create the self-extracting executable from your .zip file:
- Launch the WinZip Self Extractor executable
- Select the 'Standard Self Extractor' radio button
- Click the 'Browse' button and locate the ZIP file you want to include in the Self Extractor. In our example this would be "DEN-CNTY.zip". Click 'Next'
- Skip the screen asking you for a file name of the message to be displayed
- Specify the directory the file will 'Unzip To'. Type in ".\" so that it unzips to the directory it was extracted from
- Skip the screen that asks you to define a command or parameter for Unzip to follow after the file has been self extracted
- If you wish to display an icon with this executable, browse to the directory where your icon is located.
- Select the '32-bit win 95 and NT' radio button, click 'Next'
- Select the 'Unzip Automatically' check box, be sure to unclick the 'Default to overwrite files without prompting' check box
- Click 'Yes' when the message box notifying you some ISP's will refuse files that unzip before sending a prompt to the user
- Click 'Yes' when the message box asks if you want to prevent users from running the self extracting files using Windows 3.1
- Click 'Next' to test the self-extracting ZIP file or close to end the programs.
- It is a good idea to double check the MapsDef table in your swatch2.mdb file before uploading the file(s) to your FTP site. The example MapsDef table below shows the location of the file names that your executables would have to match.
- The FTP Uploader will distribute the host's MapDef table automatically, but you must move the self-extracting map executables to your FTP site manually. You may use a DOS window, Internet Explorer, or other third party utilities such as FTP Professional to do this. If you need some help, please see How to transfer files to an FTP site via Internet Explorer.
