Instructions

Membership Client Standard Install

This is the standard install guide for Membership Client Pro.  Membership Client is very easy to install if you know how to FTP to your site.

If you have NEVER (or little experience) installing Perl scripts, then please use the "Web Installer".

But first, read these install instructions as they guide you through the entire process step-by-easy-step and then make your decision.

Step:

1. When unzipped, the folders should look somthing like this on your hard drive:

   
   (Illustration only, may look different)

   
   
   

2. Login into your site using an FTP Client (we use Leap FTP, http://www.leapware.com but instructions are also given for WS_FTP).

3. Create a folder in your 'cgi-bin' called 'order'.  You do this by making sure you are in your cgi-bin (look up at the address bar on the right side of your FTP client) and making a directory.
   
   In WS_FTP, this is done by clicking on MKDIR (in your right menu), a dialog box will pop up allowing you to type in "order" (without the apostrophes) and click OK.  If you use some other type of FTP software then create your Directory Folder using its method.

   
   
   

4. The next step is to make this folder (directory) have CHMOD 755 permissions. In other words, you are giving yourself permission (privilege) to read, write and execute the contents in this folder.  This is a security measure.

   

   Just highlight the folder, right click on it and you will get a list like one of the graphics above.  Highlight the "Chmod" menu item, press it and the following dialog box will pop up or something similar depending on the type of web hosting server you use.

   
   
   

5. Now look closely at the what is checked and make yours like this for the CHMOD 755 to take effect on your order folder (directory).  If yours looks slightly different, then call your web hosting service and find out how to CHMOD files to 755 and 777.

6. Once you've change this folder's permission to CHMOD 755, click on the folder and your top right address bar should change to /cgi-bin/order/ and this is where you will upload all the files from the 'order' folder which you extracted from the .zip file and placed on your hard drive.

   Make sure you upload in ASCii, it will not work if uploaded in Binary.  There should be a radio button near the bottom of your FTP client which you check to put you in the ASCii mode.
   

   
   

7. Now CHMOD all .pl files to 755.  See graphic below.

   
   

8. In your the order folder (directory), create a folder (sub-directory) called 'data'.  You do it the same way as you did the before by clicking on MKDIR and typing in "data" without the apostrophes.

9. CHMOD the "data" folder to 777 by highlighting it, right clicking and clicking (making checkmarks) in all the boxes.  The following graphic shows you what should be checked.  Click OK.

   
   

   As you can see, you are giving yourself and your membership permission to read, write and execute.  All necessary actions when they input their passwords once your script is installed.

   Now click on the data folder to open this new sub-directory and upload all the text files from the "data" folder on your hard drive into it.  (See below).

   
   

   For the next step, you have to decide which is better for you to do.  Use a .htaccess file to protect your membership area or use cookies.

   What is the difference between "Using Cookies" or "Using a .htaccess file?" (.htaccess method is recommended)

   The only difference is the method used to verify user identity.  If you use '.htaccess' all member information (html pages, images etc...) are stored inside the web server root.

   (i.e. http://www.yoursite.com/members/index.html).

   While if you use 'Cookies' all member info (html pages, images etc...) is stored outside the web server root.

   
   

   Tip:  If you "can" use .htaccess to password protect directories, then you should use .htaccess protection as quite a few people do not like cookies.
   
   People either won't allow them to be placed on their computer or clear them off their machines regularly which means your members might be constantly emailing you for their User ID and password Information.

   
   

   If you are using .htaccess protection you should now create a folder called "members" inside your web server root. 

   Which simply means you are going to go out of the cgi-bin and into the Directory where your web site files are located and make a new folder (sub-directory) called Members.

   i.e. www.yoursite.com/members/

   This member folder (sub-directory) is where you should now put your .htaccess and .htpasswd file.  (Examples of each have been included in the 'extras' folder located on your hard drive.)
   
   For those of you not familiar with .htaccess files — they are merely files which are made in a text editor and uploaded in ASCii mode.