1. For FTP uploads, the ftp_parse utility that I've written does not preserve the cases of the directories or filenames. Make sure your directories and filenames are in lower case letters to be on the safe side.
2. When you're testing DLGARC using some of the DLG datasets I've provided, watch whether you're using OPTIONAL verses STANDARD DLG file read format. The wrong selection will cause the DLGARC command to 'bailout' so that the coverage isn't created which in turn causes a DCL error when a 'copy file' is attemped. The bug here is that the ARC/INFO stuff within the CGI script does not provide the user with adaquate error feedback, ie. if an ARC/INFO command fails (perhaps due to improper input), there is no way for the user to know what actually happend.
3. Certain files that have originated in Windows or UNIX based systems are not 'fully' compatable with Open VMS. There are no exact rules in this case as far as I know at the moment. It could depend on the type of file, utility that it is used for and/or the method by which it was downloaded (ie. ascii/binary, HTTP/FTP).
This is why the TIGER/Line files, which are in zipped format, can not be brought over via HTTP (with FTP you have to run the zipped files through the BILF utility before unzipping) because our HTTP utility stores the files in a more VMS specific format than our FTP utility. Don't ask me why, I don't know for sure myself. So HTTPis off limits when using the TIGERARC utility.
The same problem exist when using the DLGARC utlity but only the other way around. DLG files can not bebrought over with FTP however the web utility does work with HTTP.Again, it could be the file, it could be the internet client or it could be OS.
My guess is that I need more comprehensive HTTP and FTP clients, clients that will more effectively bridge the differences between VMS and other operating systems.
4. The CSDGM data entry forms, the oncs that are able to take in large amount of text such as <TEXTAREA> boxes, are not able to handle more than 255 characters or about 5 or 6 sentences. I'm working on this problem. So be warned, if you type any more than that amount nothing will be entered and what you did type in will be lost.
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