Should every directory/folder have an...

User 379556 Photo


Registered User
1,533 posts

Perhaps I have missed the answer in the help file or in this forum (Note 1), or perhaps the answer is so obvious that this novice should blush even to raise the question in the title to this thread.

I note the following.
a. Clicking on a directory/folder name in the generated (Note 2) sitemap.html file invariably leads to an error404 page if no index.html file is in the folder.
b. Sitemapper's errorlog.txt file for each of those directories/folders says,
" Referring URL http://......./sitemap/sitemap.html
Error Code: 404: Not Found".

Frank

Note 1: I searched for index.html in the Sitemapper forum and in the PDF file Sitemapper Guide 6.0 and got no hits.
Note 2: Registered Sitemapper Version 6.1 Build 342, 64 bit edition Windows 8.1 Pro used at http://fc7777.coffeecup.com/ where I'm developing (considerable work is still needed) a responsive version of my fixed-layout utilitarian website. The appearance at full width is not to be changed for reasons connected with the copyright agreements under which I publish the books.
User 122279 Photo


Senior Advisor
14,447 posts

Don't know if this is a reply good enough, but generally I think there should be an index file in each folder. Having said that, when I create sites, I usually keep all the html files in one folder if the site is 'normal sized'. I have some sites that I have made in up to three languages, and there is a folder for each language, each with an index file. If I have a large site, with many sub-topics, I may create a folder for each topic, and again, an index file in each folder. This works best for me, others may do this differently.
I have never had problems with Sitemapper not being able to find the files.
Ha en riktig god dag!
Inger, Norway

My work in progress:
Components for Site Designer and the HTML Editor: https://mock-up.coffeecup.com


User 379556 Photo


Registered User
1,533 posts

Thanks for that, Inger.

Sitemapper doesn't have any difficulty in finding my files. It's just that, because most of my directories/folders haven't at present got an index.html file, Sitemapper treats the directory path itself as a file it cannot find. My website is such that several directories/folders are necessary.

Both you and Sitemapper have done me a very good turn in drawing my attention to the wisdom of having an index.html file in each directory/folder. I shall now set to work arranging for that to happen.

Thanks again.

Frank
User 122279 Photo


Senior Advisor
14,447 posts

I think it is the same as if you want to open a website in a browser, and have the url ending just with the folder name, you get a 'file not found' or something like that if there is no index file in it.
Ha en riktig god dag!
Inger, Norway

My work in progress:
Components for Site Designer and the HTML Editor: https://mock-up.coffeecup.com


User 187934 Photo


Senior Advisor
20,181 posts

You can also use some .htaccess to redirect users.
I can't hear what I'm looking at.
It's easy to overlook something you're not looking for.

This is a site I built for my work.(RSD)
http://esmansgreenhouse.com
This is a site I built for use in my job.(HTML Editor)
https://pestlogbook.com
This is my personal site used for testing and as an easy way to share photos.(RLM imported to RSD)
https://ericrohloff.com
User 379556 Photo


Registered User
1,533 posts

Indeed so. I'm learning slowly.

Thanks to both of you.

Frank
User 48712 Photo


Registered User
35 posts

Having an index file in each folder enables you to map each folder individually - this helps with bigger sites and makes the site easier for search engines to read.
The trick is to think into the box and not to get into it in the first place
User 379556 Photo


Registered User
1,533 posts

Thank you.

I'll bear in mind the possibility of mapping folders individually, especially because the site I'm working includes half-a-dozen books, and each page of each book uses a separate web page.

Frank
User 38401 Photo


Senior Advisor
10,951 posts

Having an index file in all of your directories also keeps the public from seeing a list of every file and directory within a directory. Without an index file, when someone types the URL that goes to a folder/directory in most cases it will list every file in there. There are many reasons you will not want that to happen. :)
User 379556 Photo


Registered User
1,533 posts

Thank you.

All the folders in the website I'm working on now do have index.html files. It's good to know that the exercise was worth it.

Frank

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