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total newbie issue

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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
#1: Dec 22 '08
I do a daily news feed, right now in html. Clients pull it
into their websites via an iframe (so you can read the news items
while on each client's website).

I want to get away from the iframes. So do the clients. Some have suggested xml. So let's say I convert
my news files to xml, with an xslt so the file looks like it should.

If each client has their own website, would they be able to somehow
pull the contents of my xml files from my server, and into their own
page, so it would look as if it was their own content?

What would I have to supply to them so they could do that? Would I
just upload the xml files - with a schema and an xslt - and point the
clients to the directory and say - "have at it"??? And what would the
clients need to do?

Thanks in advance...
Dormilich's Avatar
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leipzig, Germany
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#2: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


there are several possibilities... (do I understand right, that the clients have their own server?)
  • provide xml
    - the clients can access it via AJAX, that requires JS XSLT processing, so your clients will need the AJAX code, the (JS-)XSLT code and the XSL stylesheet.
    - the clients can access it via server to server transfer, doing XSLT there (requires server side processing code (PHP, ASP,...) and the XSL stylesheet) advantage: doesn't need Javascript
  • provide HTML (as snippet, e.g. content wrapped in <div>)
    - you can treat that like xml, including the code via AJAX. your clients require the AJAX code.
    - server to server transfer, using (remote) include

the most elegant way in my opinion is a server to server transfer, although that requires knowledge of server side scripting (you're out of luck if you can't alter the code)

regards
Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
#3: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


Thank you for your reply. Yes - the clients have their own server. They have indicated they want to do server-to-server processing. I am trying to learn what I need to have on my site to let them do that.

Would I need to have anything on my server other than the xml files, a schema and a xslt?

Or would I need to supply them with some type of processing code or scripting? And if so, what kind? I am new to xml, and before agreeing to do this, want to make sure I know what I am doing. Thanks again.
Dormilich's Avatar
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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#4: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeelg View Post

Would I need to have anything on my server other than the xml files, a schema and a xslt?

basicly you only need to provide the files you mentioned. Did the clients say something about how they want to implement your code? (they might be suited coders themselves)

regards
Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4
#5: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


One client says they use php, another says they use (I think?) CURL. And yes, they have coders (which I am not) on staff.

Would I need to provide them with a list of all the files and their urls? Or would their code be able to "crawl" the directory with the files on my server?

Also (and thank you again for your patience!) would I put the link to the schema and xslt at the top of my xml files? They may want to modify the xslt, so I'm not sure if I need to leave that off.
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#6: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeelg View Post

And yes, they have coders (which I am not) on staff.

then you most probably don't have to worry about the client's server implementation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeelg View Post

Also would I put the link to the schema and xslt at the top of my xml files? They may want to modify the xslt, so I'm not sure if I need to leave that off.

put the XSD in and definitely leave the XSLT off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeelg View Post

Would I need to provide them with a list of all the files and their urls? Or would their code be able to "crawl" the directory with the files on my server?

providing the URLs would be a good service.
Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
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#7: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


Thank you so much - this was a HUGE help.
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leipzig, Germany
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#8: Dec 23 '08

re: total newbie issue


see it as a christmas gift....
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