500 Server Error

[Frank McPherson]

I am using the EC2Poets image/server and have everything configured
with S3 and I see files over in my bucket. However, I am having no joy
with trying to post an item. Every time I try to add an entry I end up
with a 500 Server Error and the message "Can't evaluate the expression
because the name "postargs" hasn't been defined."

I've spent most of the afternoon trying to figure this out on my own,
but I have had no luck. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Bill M]

I just setup the EC2 server for storage on S3, and installed Radio2.
I'm seeing the same error that Frank is.

My River2 files show up in my S3 bucked and I can get to my river from
the internet, so I think that part is set up right.

Bill

[Dave Winer]

Okay, I'm sure there's a problem -- but as they say -- it works on my machine. :-)

I just tried what I think you guys are doing. I set up a fresh Radio2 installation. Entered the info that was called for in the prefs. Went to my domain and entered a new post. It was created without error. I entered another. Again, no error.

I would suggest going back over the steps in the prefs, and make sure the values you think are there are actually there. Or if you can provide more information, please do.

Dave

[Frank McPherson]

I assume you are looking for the Radio2 setup preferences, here is what I have:

1. Domain name: ec2-23-20-69-113.compute-1.amazonaws.com/radio2 (I added the radio2 portion in order to see the Radio post page, otherwise I just see the Hello World page.

2. Amazon S3: I successfully entered my Access Key ID and Secret Key and saw the success message.

3. S3 Bucket, S3 path: /static.frankmcpherson.com/

   URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.frankmcpherson.com/

I am not sure which settings in the OPML Editor preferences outside the Radio2 section are important to Radio 2. I suspect possibly External name which I have set to ec2-23-20-69-113.compute-1.amazonaws.com

For Static files I have the box checked to save files on Amazon S3 with the same values I provided above, S3 path = /static.frankmcpherson.com/ and URL is https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.frankmcpherson.com/

That page does have the save static files locally fields populated and at the moment there is a [Macro error: Can't find a sub-table named "".]

Is there any other setting you would like the info for?

[Dave Winer]

Do you not own any domains you can create a CNAME for?

You should not have to put /radio2 at the end of the URL, in fact that could be your problem right there.

Don't bother with the static prefs, they were an idea that didn't really pan out. Not needed for Radio2. In fact none of others are needed, unless they are specifically called out in the howto.

Dave

[Frank McPherson]

Well that's embarrassing... I am sure that at one time I tried it without /radio2 at the end of the URL and it didn't work until I put it there. Now I appear to have it working from my EC2 instance, but I am still not having any joy trying to log in externally. (I enter user name and password and it just Would that be due to using Amazon's public DNS as opposed ot creating a CNAME? I get the signin screen, enter a user name and password, click submit, and the signin screen just refreshes.

I haven't mapped a CNAME because I am just checking it out and I don't know how long I am going to keep the Amazon instance running. I think each time you stop and instance and start a new one Amazon generates a new public DNS name, which means I would need to update the CNAME to match, right?

[Dave Winer]

Okay, but you should create a CNAME anyway, and point it at that machine, and let's get beyond the problem you're having. Both of our time is valuable.

[Frank McPherson]

To confirm CNAME for the EC2 image, right? I already have a CNAME for my S3 bucket. Off to make the CNAME, then will give it a go. Thanks. 

[Bill M]

Here's where I'm at:

I got the original error when I tried a Twitter post while running ON
THE SERVER using RDC, not from my desktop browser. Now I think that's
probably why I got the error.

I've added a CNAME and it's in the holding tank waiting to do what it
needs to do.

When I did what Frank did and put the AWS server address into the
radio prefs I also needed to add a /river2 to the URL when I tried to
log in from my own browser. I also had no luck getting past the signin
screen.

I suspect that the creating the CNAME and changing the prefs to that
domain (river2.nf9d.com) should solve my problem. I'll post again when
I've tested that later tonight.

Bill

<snip>

[Bill M]

OK, using the cname address I added I can get to the Radio2 signin
screen, but when I enter the 'admin' user name & password and click
submit, the signin screen just refreshes.

I tried it with a browser I seldom use in order to avoid cookies, and
got the same result.

Bill

[Dave Winer]

What do you mean "avoid cookies?"

It uses a cookie for he login info.

[Bill M]

Sorry, what I was trying to do was avoid the 'fill-ins' and make sure
I was sending the correct user name and password.

On Feb 18, 2:57 pm, Dave Winer <dave.wi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What do you mean "avoid cookies?"
>
> It uses a cookie for he login info.

<snip>

[Frank McPherson]

I've created a CNAME... radio.frankmcpherson.org. Still cannot sign in remotely. 

[Dave Winer]

Send me your username and password via email. I wnt to see if I can sign in.

[Frank McPherson]

To close the loop on this thread, as Dave suggested, I wiped out my
original EC2 instance and created a new one from scratch, and I am now
able to access Radio2 as intended. The key appears to be creating a
CNAME for the Windows server once you have it up and running. Thanks
for your help Dave!

On Feb 18, 4:06 pm, Dave Winer <dave.wi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Send me your username and password via email. I wnt to see if I can sign in.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, February 18, 2012, Frank McPherson wrote:
> > I've created a CNAME... radio.frankmcpherson.org. Still cannot sign in
> > remotely.
>

> > On Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at 3:57 PM, Dave Winer <dave.wi...@gmail.com<javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', 'dave.wi...@gmail.com');>

[Dave Winer]

I'm glad it worked. :-)

Sometimes the fastest way to get something working is to start over and use what you learned the first time.

Dave