httpd4Mac

• Version: v123a
• Author: Bill Melotti
• Requirements: System 7 and a network connection
• Cost: free
• Pros: fast, unobtrusive
• Cons: CGI scripts not supported, basic configuration
• Remote location: <URL:http://130.246.18.52/>
• Tricks location: <URL:http://152.1.24.177/teaching/archives/httpd4mac-123a.hqx>

This particular HTTP server is expressly intended to be a free application so anybody on the Internet with a Macintosh can become a WWW server. httpd4Mac is a "faceless background application" meaning that once it is launched it displays no menubar and you can not make it active from the Application Menu. Upon launching httpd4Mac looks for a preferences file in its own folder and then the systems folder Preferences Folder. If it does not find a preference file, then httpd4Mac creates one of its own and you can use it to configure the application. There are really few configurations possible: MIME types, port, logging, domain name resolution, etc. Upon reading the instructions in the preferences file, configuring the application is straight forward. Like FTPd, httpd4Mac is rudimentary HTTP server. It does not support CGI scripts and your ability to customize error output is restricted. Furthermore, httpd4Mac supports only one default file name, home.html. If you are moving your data from one server to this one, then you may have to change the names of your default files. httpd4Mac is good program for simple needs. If you want to create a low volume server that runs concurrently on your desktop with other applications, then consider httpd4Mac.

Eric last edited this page on September 26, 1995. Please feel free to send comments.