2MXtree 2MXtree Server Pack
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What is 2MXtree Server Pack?

2MXtree is a collection of various scripts that renders a complete and fully functional tree like windows explorer. Main script is an XSL transformation sheet that converts XML in HTML. An ASP/Vbscript manages database connection on server. On client side functionality is provided by a couple of behaviors and a CSS style sheet. (I will add more details if you whish).

Among features:

  1. Full source code available (You can hack any functionality... remember only to mantain copyright note) 
  2. XML based (explore your data with a still new and amazing technology)
  3. Completely database driven (a static version exsist but db is really more exciting) 
  4. Supports incremental dynamic download (this mean that you can now put online that 3 millions node tree of yours, 2MXtree will read it incrementally, one piece at time, adding nodes dinamically, without reload document)
  5. Async download (this mean that when you are downloading a large node you can still navigate others and even start more downloads, experiment with a large database and let me know)
  6. Client side persistence (no unnecessary roundrip to server)
  7. Node persistence (Opened and closed child nodes are remembered: try to close then reopen a top level node)
  8. No javascript code to render tree, just some supercharged <UL> and <LI> (for a faster rendering and repaint)
  9. Frame support (A default frame is provided, you can still define individual frame target on database. You can load a specific document in a blank page).
  10. Custom url support (Normally 2MXtree passes the title and id of current node to right frame. You can specifiy a custom url in database that will override default one)
  11. Server side XSL translation (So you have to update only one server and not many clients)
  12. IE 5 DHTML behaviors (So little code, so great functionality. Behaviors are available for free in IE 5... Thanks, Bill)

Current version

Name: 2MXtree Server Pack
Version: 1.2.3
Release date: 30/dec/2000
Download now!

Try it live here!

License

You are free to copy the '2MXtree Server Pack' scripts as long as you keep this copyright notice:
original script concepts realized by
Author: Emmanuele De Andreis (manudea@duemetri.it - For questions please use 2mxtree web forums) 30/dec/2000
Located: http://manudea.duemetri.net/2MXtree/default.asp

Server requirements

  1. Windows NT 4 with IIS 4 or Win 2000 with IIS 5 (may function with PWS on win 95/98, try it and let me know)
  2. Microsoft XML parser (I used ver. 3.0, may function with earlier version but you need change Progid on ASP page). You can download and install latest XML parser at http://msdn.microsoft.com/xml/
  3. A properly configured database (see database section).

Client requirements

  1. Microsoft IE 5.0 (better 5.5) on Win 32 environment. (If you can try it should work also on Unix version but not on Mac, let me know if it works or some error or malfunction occurs). 2MXtree uses extensively DHTML behaviors.

Installation

  1. Unpack the zip on a folder in you www server path. (e.g. you can create a folder under 'c:\inetpub\wwwroot', or wherever is your, named 2MXtree and unpack here the archive). Be sure to preserve folder names. Be sure that all .gifs be under a folder named 'images')
  2. Install database (see database section).
  3. Test your installation: http://localhost/2MXtree/samples/default.htm (is your server!)
  4. If any problem occus try the .htm version http://localhost/2MXtree/samples/test.htm (is your server!) so you can exclude server, database and XML parser problems.
  5. If you have some problem with installation or with this instructions feel free to email me manudea@duemetri.it - For questions please use 2mxtree web forums.  

Database

  1. Copy '2MXtree.mdb' database in a directory of your choice (to add data use MS Access, if in a NTFS drive provide for Everyone wite permission at the entire folder - not only mdb file)
  2. Add a system DSN source for the database. To do so go in 'Control Panel' -> ODBC (for Win NT/95/98) or in 'Control Panel' -> 'Administrative Tools' -> ODBC -> Data sources (ODBC). Name it '2MXtree'.

Next step

It remains a lot of work to do.

  1. Add document management
  2. Add some error management
  3. Write e better help
  4. Merge the two XSL with an include so the are no overlaps (any volunteer?)
  5. Add editing capabilities so thet you can ADD/MODIFY/REMOVE nodes in real time (I've done something, but is not complete yet)
  6. Any whishes?........

FAQ

Send your questions. manudea@duemetri.it - For questions please use 2mxtree web forums

Known bugs, limits, etc...

Replace all occurrences of undefined with '' in 2MXtree.htc to use with Internet Explorer 5 (not needed for 5.5) (Thanks to R. Kelynack)

Send your feedback please. manudea@duemetri.it - For questions please use 2mxtree web forums

Credits

Coming soon....