Problems with permissions on OSX and downloads

My server is on OSX Server, so I really get confused with the 777 permissions and how to set them up in the get info window of OSX with Owner, Group, Others etc.... not with numbers or using Terminal.

I finally have downloads working, but I'm still also able to download anything in the download folder by entering a direct address in the address bar.

The download folder is set to Owner-Read & Write, Group-Read Only and Others-Read Only
When I turn 'Others" to no access, it shuts down both of the download methods.
(with and without redirect turned on)

I currently have redirect turned on, but I've tried it in the off position also.
the /pub folder is full access as recommended.

Please help as I don't want to 'give' all my files away too once customers figure it out.
I just can't get both methods to work correctly

thanks so much,

Jeff Michaels

It is setup so you cannot download directly from /download as a safety ...

Downloads are done via the code so that people cannot download files by just knowing the names ...

Linda,

The problem is I CAN download with an completed order AND download when typing into the address bar. It is doing both or neither. I can't seem to set the permissions correctly in OSX Server.

Can you help me to figure this out.
I can send URLs if you want

thanks so much,

Jeff Michaels

I have tried the following:

/pub folder is always set to full access (is that 777?)

Turned the /download folder "Others" to NO ACCESS - files will not download and status is red
They won't download through the address bar (This IS what I want) or after an order.
I believe this makes it 740 or 750 in windows terms.
remember I'm using OSX server

Then I turned the /download folder "others" to Read only. Status is now green
BUT.....
Files download after an order AND through the address bar.
I think this is 744 or 755

(There is no "EXECUTE" in OSX, so I'm not sure of the extra digit)
Only, Read/Write, Write Only, Read Only and No Access

I really need:
Download after order is completed
but NO download in the address bar.

With every combination I've tried, I always get BOTH one way or the other

Please help.

thanks,
Jeff Michaels

The best way of setting permissions on web files and folders on an OS X server is to use your FTP program - that way you get all the permission permutations to choose from, not just the three you've described.

If the FTP program you're using doesn't let you do this (ie. it reverts to the OS X 'Get Info' window) then download a demo copy of Transmit (they allow a 30 day trial) and that will.

OK, this got pretty deep to fix....

When OSX Server is installed, the .htaccess files are not turned on.

Here's the web info I found that fixed it and got it all to work for me (yeah!) :happy:

FIRST, go to VersionTracker and get a copy of
InVisibles 1.4.3
This will allow you to see the invisible files on your Mac or Mac Server

THEN

Search for the below text in /private/etc/httpd/httpd.conf file, and uncomment these three lines. (You would have to remove the # in front).

#LoadModule rewrite_module modules/mod_rewrite.so
#AddModule mod_rewrite.c
#AccessFilename .htaccess

(note: My OSX server only had the 3rd line is it uncommented already, I just added the other 2 above it)

If you do not find any above lines, add them all.

Then, search for the text ‘AllowOverride’. Check whether it is set to None or All. If it is set to None, edit and set it to “All”.

THEN

Move to your /private/etc/httpd/users directory and you would see another conf file. If your username is ‘celia’, it would probably be named as ‘celia.conf’. If you would open the file, you would find that there is another ‘AllowOverride none’ settings there. Change it to ‘AllowOverride All’ and restart the apache webserver. Voila, you are done with the changes.

(note: I found the file in the folder /private/etc/httpd/sites and it was the name of my website default folder NOT the user name. It was a default virtual host file)

Finally, use InVisibles to turn back off your invisible files.

It seems that the apache that is shipped with MAC OS x does not allow htaccess by default.
I hope this helps all those OSX Server people with downloads

thanks,
Jeff Michaels

Pixxi:

The best way of setting permissions on web files and folders on an OS X server is to use your FTP program - that way you get all the permission permutations to choose from, not just the three you've described.

If the FTP program you're using doesn't let you do this (ie. it reverts to the OS X 'Get Info' window) then download a demo copy of Transmit (they allow a 30 day trial) and that will.

Pixxi,

I already have Transmit. Can you explain exactly how to access that folder.
I'm using Rumpus and already have a shared folder for that.
I'm not using the built in OSX Server ftp..... should I turn it on for this?
Will both ftp programs run if the Rumpus one is set to port 10 already?

thanks,
Jeff

Is this your own Mac you're attempting to use as a webserver, or is it hosted somewhere?

It's my own Mac and I have Timbuktu on it (when I get lazy and want to code with my laptop while watching TV)

I may host this somewhere else when it goes live though

Jeff

I just made an alias of my entire Zen Cart folder and placed it into my user name's folder within the Rumpus folder and it got all the permission options to work perfectly.

I'll go back and check all my previous settings from the original install now.

thanks,
Jeff

If you're using your Mac as a test server, you'd probably find it a lot easier to install Apache/PHP/MySQL as a separate package than to try to use the inbuilt versions.

Take a look at XAMPP - it's not meant to be a used as a production server straight out of the box though.

[

](http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html)

I'm using OSX Server, so it's already installed.
I really want to host it here on my own T1. (768 up and down)
My current ecommence has been up and running for 3 years on this speed.
If I want more speed for customer downloads, then I'll co-locate the new setup when it's done.
I plan on getting a new Mac Mini with Core Duo chips and installing OSX Server on it.

All is well now with the permissions and I re-checked all the folders with Transmit.

That's for the advice and help

Jeff