I can't get static pages working

[Slugsie]

I'm new to Serendipity, so I've probably done something stupid.

I've Installed the Static Pages event plugin v3.74, and created a basic static page to test with - I think. I've also installed the Static Pages sidebar plugin v1.15 which shows up fine on my front page, and displays a link to the static test page I created. However, when you click the link, it doesn't go anywhere. It just takes you to the front page, not the static page.

What am I doing wrong? When I'm creating a static page, what am I supposed to be putting in the Meta Data fields? What is the password?

HELP!

[Don Chambers]

Depending on the rules in your site's .htaccess file, returning to the frontpage may be an indication of the page not being found.

Can you supply a URL to your site?

[yellowled]

When I'm creating a static page, what am I supposed to be putting in the Meta Data fields? What is the password?

For starters, what have you entered in the various fields for your static test page?

The password option is only to be used if you want a static page to be protected by a password. If you don't want or need that, you can just skip those options.

YL

[Slugsie]

Depending on the rules in your site's .htaccess file, returning to the frontpage may be an indication of the page not being found.

Can you supply a URL to your site?

I'm running on IIS, so .htaccess isn't an issue.

The site is:
http://www.quietatheist.com
(ignore the colour scheme, it's just being worked on )

For starters, what have you entered in the various fields for your static test page?

From the all fields template:
Headline: Contact Me
Permalink: /index.php?/pages/contactme.html
URL Shorthand: contactme
Article Type: Article
Publish-status: Publish
Language: English
Content: The content
Perform Markup Transformations: Yes
Format as Article: Yes
Parentpage: Isparent
Related Category: None
Show childpages: Yes
Pre-content: [blank]
Password: [blank]
Make this page the frontpage of Serendipity: No
Include navigation: Yes
Include in sidebar-navigation: Yes

That's everything.

[Slugsie]

Also, the site is hosted on GoDaddys servers, and Serendipity was installed using their automated install routines. Before the install there was nothing within the folder hierarchy at all.

[yellowled]

Permalink: /index.php?/pages/contactme.html

I think this should be just "/pages/contactme.html", but I'm not entirely sure how this works without URL rewriting. Did you enter the "/index.php?" or was that a default setting for that page?

Parentpage: Isparent

This should be "none" or "is parent page" or something - I'm not sure how said option is called in the English lang environment, but this does refer to a parent static page, not your blog.

YL

[Don Chambers]

Hmmm... those settings all seem to be correct. I was going to guess that it was set to "draft" and not "publish", but your post above suggests you have it set to "publish". And yes, YL, That is how it does it without URL rewriting... I have one of my sandboxes set up that way. Its not immediately obvious to me why it is not working. Probably something really easy that I'm not seeing just yet. BTW, if you want different images for the karma voting plugin, I created a bunch a while ago... you can download them here:
http://www.optional-necessity.com/archi ... lugin.html

[Slugsie]

Permalink: /index.php?/pages/contactme.html

I think this should be just "/pages/contactme.html", but I'm not entirely sure how this works without URL rewriting. Did you enter the "/index.php?" or was that a default setting for that page?

I only changed the 'contactme.html' part, the rest was filled in as a default. I only changed it to match the URL shorthand. However, I've also tried with just using the default for that field, and it still doesn't work.

Parentpage: Isparent

This should be "none" or "is parent page" or something - I'm not sure how said option is called in the English lang environment, but this does refer to a parent static page, not your blog.

YL

There is no option to select 'none'. It's either 'IsParent' or the other static page I have created.

[Slugsie]

Hmmm... those settings all seem to be correct. I was going to guess that it was set to "draft" and not "publish", but your post above suggests you have it set to "publish". And yes, YL, That is how it does it without URL rewriting... I have one of my sandboxes set up that way. Its not immediately obvious to me why it is not working. Probably something really easy that I'm not seeing just yet. BTW, if you want different images for the karma voting plugin, I created a bunch a while ago... you can download them here:
http://www.optional-necessity.com/archi ... lugin.html

If I end up staying with Serendipity, I'll give them a look thanks.

I've been trying various Blog engines, and so far none has met with 100% success. To be honest, I liked WordPress the most, but I has a problem with the way my hosting filespace is laid out. I may have to re-organise my hosting to solve that and go back to using WordPress.

I've also tried dasBlog, and BlogEngine.net.

[yellowled]

There is no option to select 'none'. It's either 'IsParent' or the other static page I have created.

Ha, see -- "IsParent" is what I actually meant, I just didn't realize it earlier because of the weird spelling. Sorry.

Okay, so your settings for the static pages seem fine. You also probably haven't forgotten to save them or something, so it might be an issue with GoDaddy, or .htaccess/IIS ...

I also just now noticed that the archives pages are not working, either. I guess we're gonna have to call in Garvin

In the meantime, a list of plugins you're using might be helpful.

YL

[Don Chambers]

What does your .htaccess file look like?

[Slugsie]

What does your .htaccess file look like?

I don't have one. The website is running on IIS.

[Slugsie]

In the meantime, a list of plugins you're using might be helpful.

YL

Sidebar plugins are:
Quicksearch
Static Pages
Archives
Categories
Syndicate this blog
Blog Administration

Event plugins are:
Markup: Serendipity
Markup: Emoticate
Markup: NL2BR
Browser Compatibility
Spam Protector
Spartacus
Karma
Static Pages
Extended properties for entries

[Don Chambers]

I don't know anything about IIS. Could it be that it does not like the fact that the folder /pages/ does not truly exist? Maybe if you created such a folder? I'm guessing here...

[Slugsie]

I don't know anything about IIS. Could it be that it does not like the fact that the folder /pages/ does not truly exist? Maybe if you created such a folder? I'm guessing here...

I've just created that folder, and no go. Didn't think it would work, but it's worth a try.

I'm about ready for jacking Serendipity in to be honest.