Progressive Software Solutions, LLC
Web-based products and services for this century

Frequently Asked Questions About pssSearch

 Features |  Download |  License |  Purchase |  Support |  Manual 

These are some of the questions you may have about pssSearch. At PSS, we provide full product support. Visit the pssSearch Support area, if you do not see your question answered here. Or, search our FAQ database for a list of specific issues.

WHAT IS pssSearch?

WHY CHOOSE pssSearch?

CAPABILITIES OF pssSearch

USING pssSearch

INSTALLING pssSearch

SUPPORT FOR pssSearch

Answers to FAQ About pssSearch

Q1. What is pssSearch?

A. pssSearch is a web based search application. pssSearch enables others to search portions of your Web site that you specify in the .ini file provided with the software. Just provide a link to pssSearch, and your customers can readily search for what they're looking for.

WHY CHOOSE pssSearch?

Q1. Why should I buy pssSearch?

A. pssSearch will give visitors to your site the flexibility they now expect--to be able to easily find information on your site. This low-priced application provides a readily implemented capability at an affordable price. This minimizes your Total Cost of Ownership and maximizes your Return on Investment in pssSearch.

CAPABILITIES OF pssSearch

Q1. Can I customize pssSearch?

A. Yes. You have a lot of control over how the User Interface looks. The .ini file contains headers and footers that you can change to fit your needs. This enables you, for example, to implement pssSearch in any language you choose. One may also replace the logo for a custom branded or corporate branded pssSearch.

Q2. Does PSS intend to enhance pssSearch with additional features?

A. Yes. We intend to continue to evolve the capabilities of pssSearch. Our first enhancement will include "and" and "or" Boolean searches.

USING pssSearch

Q1. What special knowledge must I have to use pssSearch?

A. No specialized knowledge is required. Your visitors will simply click on the URL of the Web Server on which pssSearch is resident at the host organization. They will then be able to search your site in the same way that they are used to searching other sites.

Q2 Does pssSearch work through firewalls and Proxy Servers?

A. All client communication to pssSearch is achieved via your default http port. This is the same way the rest of your site communicates with the outside world, so no extra work is necessary.

Q3. Do I need to install any software on a computer before I "search my site from anywhere"?

A. No.

Q4. When I use pssSearch, what software is required on the machine I use to "search my site from anywhere"?

A. pssSearch is just an extension of your site, just as any other page on your site. It will appear to your visitors that it is integral to your site, because it will be.

Q5. Which browsers can access pssSearch?

A. Any Web browser that can support the display of text will work with pssSearch, including Netscape, MSIE, WebTV, AOL, etc.

Q6. What are the system requirements to run pssSearch?

A. Must have a standard CGI-capable Web Server.

Q7. Who is a typical pssSearch customer?

A. pssSearch is used by the full range of Webmasters. It is simply less expensive and most convenient to plug in a search engine than to develop one. pssSearch is used by Webmasters everywhere.

INSTALLING pssSearch

Q1. How do I install pssSearch?

A. No traditional installation is required. One merely follows the following process to set up pssSearch:
  • Step 1. Extract the distribution files into a temporary location.
  • Step 2. Copy pssSearch.exe or pssSearch.cgi, and pssSearch.ini to the location on your Web Server that has execution enabled. Also, if you are running the evaluation copy of pssSearch you must write enable pssSearch.ini. Once you run pssSearch the first time you may reset the pssSearch.ini file attribute to Read-only.
    • NT Version -- The default location on IIS v4.0 is "C:\Inetpub\scripts". Don't forget to ensure that the pssSearch.ini file attribute is not set to Read-only.
    • Linux/Unix Version -- The default location on Apache v1.3.9 is /home/httpd/cgi-bin or /usr/local/www/cgi-bin. Don't forget to "chmod +x pssSearch.cgi" when you get pssSearch.cgi in the appropriate directory. Also, don't forget to "chmod o+w pssSearch.ini."
  • Step 3. Step 3 Copy MyLogo.gif to the root directory of your Default Web Site.
    • NT Version -- The default location on IIS v4.0 is C:\Inetpub\wwwroot.
    • Linux/Unix Version -- The default location on Apache v1.3.9 is /home/httpd/html or /usr/local/www/data.
  • Step 4. Add links from all pages from which you would like your visitors to be able to search your site. Those links will point to the Server on which pssSearch resides, e.g., "www.mycompany.com/scripts/pssSearch.exe" or "www.mycompany.com/cgi-bin/pssSearch.cgi".
  • Step 5. Modify the appropriate portions in the pssSearch.ini file, as explained in the installation manual.
  • Step 6. If you wish to display your logo or banner advertisement within the user interface, replace "MyLogo.gif" with your logo filename. Ensure your logo is in GIF format. To help you size your logo, the "MyLogo" is displayed with "width=120" and "height=101." The logo width and height are customizable. Use pssSearch to your full advantage thereafter.

    • Q2. For what specific Operating Systems/Architectures is pssSearch available?

    A. Currently pssSearch has been compiled, tested, and validated on platforms with the following operating systems:

    Q3. Why is pssSearch distributed as a compiled executable?

    A. Performance of the compiled version is significantly enhanced, and traditional installation is eliminated. Files are simply copied to the correct location on your Web server. Additionally, by offering a compiled version, absolutely no supporting software is required on your Web server. There are NO registry modifications or dll installations. You are simply running a single 100% self-contained executable that generates dynamic html pages that your users see.

    Q4. Does pssSearch require DLLs or shared libraries?

    A. NO. pssSearch is 100% self-contained.

    Q5. How many files and how big are pssSearch files?

    A. The pssSearch software requires three files to run: the executable, the initialization file, and the default logo. Together, these three files are less than one megabyte. Four additional files are included. They are the two test applications, helloworld.cgi and printenv.cgi, as well as the pssSearch Manual (SEman.shtml) and the readme.text file.

    Q6. Is the pssSearch evaluation software the same as the real product?

    A. Yes. The evaluation copy is exactly the same as the real product. pssSearch automatically generates a 30-day license key if it is run without a license file. Once you purchase the product, we deliver via e-mail a text file that is your permanent license. After activating your evaluation copy with your purchased key, the trial-version-specific nag message inserted in all outgoing mail will no longer be inserted.

    Q7. How can I replace the PSS logo with my own?

    A. Follow these steps:
    • Produce an image in .gif format of your logo. The downloaded PSS logo is 120 pixels wide and 101 pixels high.
    • Change the name of your logo to "MyLogo.gif"
    • Replace the PSS image called "MyLogo.gif" with your image of the same name
    • Use the application and verify that your logo appears on the user interface.

    If your logo is not 120 pixels wide and 101 pixels high, modify the following two variables in the pssSearch.ini file:

    LogoWidth = 120 This is the pixel width of the logo. You can customize the logo displayed in pssSearch by changing this value. If your logo does not appear quite like you would like it, replace the value of 120 with the width of your logo.

    LogoHeight = 101 This is the pixel height of the logo. You can customize the logo displayed in pssSearch by changing this value. If your logo does not appear quite like you would like it, replace the value of 101 with the height of your logo.

    Q8. How do I Uninstall pssSearch

    A. Just Delete It:
    • Delete pssSearch.exe.(NT Version)
    • Delete pssSearch.cgi.(Linux and BSD Unix Version)
    • Delete pssSearch.ini.
    • Delete MyLogo.gif
    • Delete ReadMe.txt

    SUPPORT FOR pssSearch

    Q1. What technical support is provided with the licensed version of pssSearch?

    A. PSS provides support response at PSSsupport and via fax @ 703.660.8500.

    Q2. How do I upgrade my current version of pssSearch? Is there an additional charge?

    A. pssSearch comes with 12 months of free updates. Updates will be e-mailed to you at no charge for 12 months from the time of purchase.

    Q3. Does pssSearch require maintenance?

    A. No. pssSearch is intended for use by organizations within which a simple and hassle-free Search-engine solution is of highest priority. pssSearch does not store any information on the Web server on which it resides, so it is extremely easy to set up (copy 3 files) and requires no attention once it is working. pssSearch will not add to your administration and maintenance chores. The Total Cost of Ownership of pssSearch is simply the initial cost of product and 15 minutes for initial configuration. There is NO maintenance.
    PSS Home | Products | Order/Prices | Support | Download | Search
    Copyright © 2000 - 2001
    Progressive Software Solutions, LLC
    11327 Anthony Hwy
    Waynesboro, PA 17268 US
    Phone: 717-762-9516
    Fax: 717-762-9516