25.11.2004 - SEF advance 4.0 released
New version of SEF advance has been released. The new version simplifies URLs for
components and static content by bringing it one level down (i.e. weblinks/ instead
of component/weblinks). Several smaller updates and fixes also made it in.
Use the automatic download page to request the update.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
SEF advance
What do I need to run SEF advance?
I get Error 404 Not Found
I get Error 500 Internal Server Error
I get Error 403 Forbidden Error
Can I run SEF advance on IIS?
Can I buy SEF advance for one domain and switch to another domain later?
Is SEF advance's source code encrypted?
Does it mean that I can't modify the script?
I get piracy attempt error...
I have parked domains that point to the same site. Do I have to buy a separate license
for each domain?
I have a test site for development. Can I get SEF advance licensed to it as well?
Can I get help with installing SEF advance?
I didn't get .htaccess file...
Will SEF advance slow down my website?
I have problems with pathway/submenus/dynamic modules when I click on some links...
Will SEF advance work for 3rd party components?
How can I get advanced URLs for my component?
Can you develop SEF advance extension for 3rd party component I need?
Is SEF advance compatible with Mambo 4.5.1?
What do I need to run SEF advance?
If you successfully run Mambo on your web server just make sure that you can run
basic built-in SEF (Apache mod_rewrite). Also make sure that you can install Mambo
components from ZIP file (Zlib support). If you are positive that you fulfil these
two requirements you can run SEF advance.
I get Error 404 Not Found
First thing you should check if you get Not Found error is that you correctly uploaded
.htaccess file.
Note the dot in the beginning! Make sure that you replaced basic, built-in Mambo
SEF .htaccess file and that this file is uploaded in ASCII mode.
If correct .htaccess file is in place then your .htaccess override doesn't work
or mod_rewrite module is not activated. Make sure mod_rewrite module is loaded and
your server cofigurations allow .htaccess override. More info about activating basic
SEF in Mambo can be found here: http://forum.mamboserver.com/showthread.php?t=79.
I get Error 500 Internal Server Error
Make sure you correctly uploaded .htaccess file. It has to be uploaded in ASCII
mode! Also make sure that your server configuration allows .htaccess override and
that mod_rewrite module is activated. More info about activating basic SEF in Mambo
can be found here:
http://forum.mamboserver.com/showthread.php?t=79.
I get Error 403 Forbidden Error
If you are sure that you correctly uploaded .htaccess file in ASCII mode your server
may be missconfigurated forbidding the RewriteRule directive. Try putting following
line in your .htaccess file (on the very first row):
Options +FollowSymLinks
Can I run SEF advance on IIS?
Short answer: NO. SEF advance is for Apache only.
Can I buy SEF advance for one domain and switch to another domain later?
Yes, but you will have to seize using SEF advance on the old domain. Contact me
and I will re-license your file.
Is SEF advance's source code encrypted?
The source code is not encrypted; it has been obfuscated to become unreadable to
a human. You don't need to have any decryption software installed on your server
in order for SEF advance to work. You only need ZLIB support which you normally
have if you can upload and install Mambo components from ZIP package.
Does it mean that I can't modify the script?
You can edit the various configuration settings described in SEF advance readme
file in order to make URLs look according to your preference. Other than those settings
you can't modify SEF advance logic. Normally this isn't something that you would
want to adjust anyway.
I get piracy attempt error...
If you get piracy attempt error you are trying to run SEF advance on other domain
than the one you purchased it for. You will have to buy another licence for the
new domain. If you have parked or alias domains that point to the same site (like
domain.com and domain.net) contact me to re-license your file for alias domain.
I have parked domains that point to the same site. Do I have to buy a separate license
for each domain?
In the case of parked domains SEF advance must be licensed for each domain. If two
domains point to exactly the same site you can get a file licensed for both without
additional charges. If you have many parked domains pointing to the same site you
can get a discount for a file licensed to all of them.
I have a test site for development. Can I get SEF advance licensed to it as well?
Yes. This can be your local site (localhost) or a test site on internet. However
you are required to stop using SEF advance on your test site when you transfer SEF
advance to your live site.
Can I get help with installing SEF advance?
SEF advance is very easy to install (just replace a core file and .htaccess). However
if you need help just contact me. Make sure your server fulfils all the requirements
though. I can not assist you to setup mod_rewrite or Zlib; you must have those before
the purchase.
I didn't get .htaccess file...
.htaccess file is distributed inside the zip package you received. If you can't
see it maybe you are on Mac or Linux which automatically hides all files that begins
with a dot. You should make your file manager show hidden files. In the zip package
you can also find the htaccess.txt file which you can upload and rename on server
instead.
Will SEF advance slow down my website?
Apache mod_rewrite commands have certain impact on site load. However, SEF advance
only has a single Apache instruction to point the server to a right file. All logic
is purely implemented in PHP. Therefore SEF advance does not have any significant
impact on server load or speed. The file itself is Zlib compressed but various tests
shows that this doesn't affect site's speed either.
I have problems with pathway/submenus/dynamic modules when I click on some links...
The pathway in Mambo works on the Section/Category/Item concept. It highly depends
on the pages you linked to main menu. If you don't have section listings (content_section)
published in the main menu but use blogs instead (content_blog_section) items will
inherit their Itemid and you will get Blog/Item concept pathway.
Will SEF advance work for 3rd party components?
SEF advance will rewrite core content and all core component URLs to "nice", SEF
advance, links. If component has SEF advance extension it will get advanced URLs
like content does. Otherwise, if component is SEF enabled, its URLs will be the
same as with standart built-in Mambo SEF.
How can I get advanced URLs for my component?
You need to develop SEF advance extension for your component. For more info about
the extension format read the SEF advance readme file and refer to included extension
example file (sef_ext.php). Also take a look on already developed extensions like
i.e. for Userlist component.
Can you develop SEF advance extension for 3rd party component I need?
Yes, but this is subject to additional charges for custom programming. In the first
hand you should contact the component's author with request for SEF advance extension.
If he is not willing to do it you can contact me for a quote where cost depends
on the component's complexity.
Is SEF advance compatible with Mambo 4.5.1?
Yes, of course. The latest version of SEF advance is compatible with 4.5.1 and backwards
compatible with 4.5.0.
22.09.2004 - SEF advance 3.8 released
Added administration interface for Mambo 4.5.1 with configurations and diagnostics.
SEF advance is now installed like every other component by uploading it to Mambo
component manager.
Use the automatic download page to request the update.
19.08.2004 - SEF advance 3.7 released
Enhanced Itemid function for correct pathway when blogs are used. Added exception
array for url encode function. Change in API for 3rd party components.
Use the automatic download page to request the update.
09.08.2004 - SEF advance 3.6 has been released
Fixes compability with upcoming Mambo 4.5.1. It is backward compatible and can be
safely used with older version of Mambo 4.5. Integrated new extension API which
enables 3rd party components to have SEF advance style URLs.
Use the automatic download page to request the update.