Distributing the Math Viewer Applet from a Web Server

In order to publish HTML document using the Math Viewer applet on your Web Server, you must first install the Math Viewer program files on your server so that they can be automatically downloaded to your readers' web browsers. In general, readers have the choice of installing the Math Viewer software in their web browser like a plug-in, or they can opt to download the Math Viewer as needed with any documents that call for them. You will probably want to set up your server to facilitate both methods.

Note, however, to set up your server for either method, you must be able to install files on a Web server, and to offer the plug-in installer on your server, it may be necessary to make minor changes to the server configuration files.

Setting up your Server

There are two ways to insure that your readers' browsers will have access to the Math Viewer program files:

• Delivering the Math Viewer program files on demand

  The most direct method of setting up the Math Viewer is to simply place the necessary program files (called 'class' files) somewhere on the server where they can be downloaded as necessary by readers. The main disadvantage is that readers must be willing to wait for the Viewer to download before the page will display. Moreover, Java applets are only temporarily cached in Web browsers, so periodically readers will have to wait for the applet to download again when they revisit pages.

• Delivering self-installing Math Viewer archive files

  When possible, the preferred method is to deliver self-installing JAR or CAB archive files, which permanently install the Math Viewer applet in a reader's brower, like a plug-in. Once the archive has been installed, the Web browser will automatically use the local copy of the Math Viewer when it encounters HTML pages requiring it.

These two methods are not mutually exclusive. You can easily set up Web pages so that readers with the Math Viewer installed will be able to use their locally installed copy, while other readers will be able to automatically download the Math Viewer class files as necessary. In general, you will want to set up your server for both methods.

There is a sample installation page that you might find useful as a starting point for setting up your own server. You can also use it to install the Math Viewer in your own browser if you haven't already done so.