Using custom tags

[Sheltie]

Hi

Am I right in thinking that I can basically display the information uploaded by WD in any way I like using the custom tags i.e. can I create a screen on my website and the info will display and update as long as I insert the correct custom tag into the html?

[SeaWanderer]

Yes. Basically you can.

You may like to check out my own site which does just that. http://kirkcaldyweather.collins-family.me.uk

The way I do it (although I may be corrected by others with better knowledge  ) is to write my own pages as "wxlocal.html" files, including the tags where I want the data to go (placed in the internet upload folder) then, via Control Panel > Internet File Creation and Uploads, get the "wxlocal" files to process at personalised intervals into "wx.html" files which are uploaded to server. I have also set such graphics as I wish on my site to also generate at appropriate times. The Internet Main Switch must be set ON, and the Override Switch must also be set ON. (hope I haven't missed anything important)

My own site has a bit extra in that I also have the current conditions in the menu bar at the side, provided using Server Side Includes (ssi) functionality, but this is just personal enhancement.


Happy to help further if I can.


Best regards,
Tony.

[Sheltie]

OK but what if I'm creating web pages using web page creation software which allows me to insert my own html? If I create a page to display the weather data of my own design, as long as I insert the custom tag in the correct place in the html, will it display the data? Or must I do it via WD somehow? I did this before using Cumulus software where I created my own pages and as the raw data was uploaded it would display in my own pages via the web tags process, does WD work the same way? What I mean by that is, does WD allow me to upload my published html web pages via WD and insert the data as it does so via the custom tags?

[SeaWanderer]

Never used the Cumulus software, so cannot comment.

I would assume that whatever site-creation software you use will produce an html file on your local machine. If that is named "wxlocal.html" and the appropriate settings are made in WD, WD should check through the file and substitute the data before uploading to server.

If your software directly uploads, this system will not work, but someone else may be able to help - suspect you would need to use XML in the webpage and pull the info from clientraw? (but I'm out of my depth there!!!!) 

[Budgie]

If you're only using HTML on your site then WD will have to have the HTML page in the webfiles folder at Tony suggested. You can still produce your own page but have WD add the data and then upload the whole web page to your server.

The other option is to use PHP coding where the web page what the tags coded into the page and then uses PHP script to fetch the data from a small text file, as Cumulus does with the Realtime.txt, WD has the clientraw.txt file.

You can also make your own PHP file or just use the testtag.php that comes with WD, which you'll find the main program folder.
The website templates created by Ken True use this method and combine testtags.php with clientraw.txt to give a live update  to the site, you can find the templates HERE and they are free to download. 

Having your site working this way means that you save on bandwidth as you're only uploading small files instead of complete pages, and you can use the tags on any page you want.

[Sheltie]

Casting my mind back I think I got cumulus to upload the pages and insert the data. Clunky, but I know nothing about how PHP works. Not keen on the custom screens thingy within WD though as i find it a bit user-unfriendly.

[Budgie]

That's the beauty of using the template, all the PHP is done for you and you can then use that to alter it to how you want it.
I know the basics of PHP and have figured out how to include some script in other pages on my own site.

It's also much easier when it comes to the likes of the menu because the menu is one file, if you add a new page then you only change one file and it updates the whole site. 

[Sheltie]

OK but what if I don't like the look of those templates and want a look completely of my own. Thats what I don't like about templates, it's someone elses design. I want my own look but unfortunately I don;t know how to code or write php/html and don't really have the time to learn either!

[Budgie]

Then you're really left with finding someone willing to build a site for you.
Even using the custom tags means some HTML work to build the page that you want and make it look how you want it too. You could go for the WYSIWYG editor that WD has and try that.

[Sheltie]

Well as I said I have software that does it all for me. I can start with a  completely blank page and put whatever I like in it and the software does all the html work for me. What I want is to be able to incorporate the WD data into screens or displays of my own design.

[Budgie]

In that case then you're looking at the way Tony suggested.
Create the page in HTML editor, with the tags included, and save the file the WD Webfiles folder.
Call the file something like wxlocal5.html and then use Control Panel > Internet File Creation & Uploads > Setup Page #2 > File #26.
Change the wxlocal number to 5 and click "Set" to bring up the creation & upload settings.
Here you can specify when the file is created & uploaded and also the name of the uploaded file, so you can call it want you want. 

[ve3gsi]

If you are going to design your own web page you will have to learn the basic mark up language, I can't see anyway around that.  If you wish some smarts you might wish to look into some basic JavaScript as well.  Like you I need a simple web page, not because I didn't like the templates, but because I am in a rural area of Ontario Canada where high speed Internet is unheard of (even my cell phone doesn't work at home).  I like what many have done with the templates available, but they take many minutes to load, some never load here at all. Make no mistake, if I had high-speed Internet connection I would look at a few templates.

So, with my limit Internet speed, I started with a blank page, I do have some basic HTML knowledge and have played with scripting languages in a distant past. I was thinking of using WD to upload a simple HTML page, in the end I decided only to upload tags and strip them out with JavaScript - very basic indeed.

You're welcome to grab the pages and scripts and modify them to your hearts content, as I said they are basic due to necessity. The code is 'tight' and not structured so I could maximize connection. I am sure coders would shudder if they were to look at it, but hey, it works. At least it you can see what the basic output of WD will offer using a handful of tags. I upload the tags in three wx?.js files at separate times as not to press my connection.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/reid.reid/

Enjoy.

[Sheltie]

OK cool thanks guys I'll look at all your suggestions and see what works best for me. Cheers

Bob