ImajSite
Table of Contents
ImajSite is a set of utilities that facilitate the creation
of a categorically indexed image database which can be viewed locally or remotely
(through a web site) with any HTML browser.
The utilities will run under Microsoft Windows 95/98 (and probably Windows NT).
ImajSite generates an HTML database. It does not generate
thumbnails or otherwise edit graphical image files. To do that, you should use
an application such as ThumbsPlus
(Cerious Software, Inc.) or Paint Shop Pro
(Jasc Software).
Input
The input to this system consists of a number of image files (JPEG or GIF) along with
optional text files containing descriptive text for each image.
If you have a large number of files, you may arrange the files into subdirectories,
beginning with a starting directory (which is where you will start your browser), and
any number of subdirectories off the starting directory.
Each directory may contain image files, optional text files for each image, HTML files,
and subdirectories.
The optional text files should have the same base name as their corresponding image files.
The table below summarizes the different types of files that may appear in each subdirectory:
| File Type | File Name or
Extension(s) | Examples | Notes |
|---|
| Image files | .gif, .jpg, .jpeg | image1.jpg, image2.gif, image3.jpg, image4.gif | Optional |
| Text files | .txt | image1.txt, image2.txt, image3.txt, image4.txt | Optional, for each image file |
| HTML files | .htm, .html | htmlfile1.htm, htmlfile2.htm | Optional |
| Subdirectories | (any) | subdirectory1, subdirectory2 | Optional |
| Build script | makeindx.bat | makeindx.bat | Required |
The build script is required for each directory. When this batch
file is executed, the entire directory will be "built", creating the output described below.
You can easily build the entire directory by simply double-clicking on the
"makeindx.bat" file from an Explorer window.
You can make changes to the contents of the directory at any time, and then simply
rebuild it to update the output files.
Output
The output from this system is a linked set of HTML files that can be viewed using any
web browser. A master index will contain the list of categories, and each category will
contain an index of the images that belong in that category. The images may be viewed
directly from the index that contains them, or sequentially in a specified order
(using "next" and "previous" buttons above each image).
Images may be grouped into sets, and each image or set may appear in the index of more
than one category.
Images and sets may have titles and text descriptions which appear in the parent index(s)
for those images/sets. Sets may have thumbnail images associated with them which appear
in the parent index(s).
Each directory in the system will have the following basic format (arrows show HTML links):
index.htm
thumb.jpg
image1.htmimage1.jpg
image2.htmimage2.gif
image3.htmimage3.jpg
image4.htmimage4.gif ...
htmlfile1.htm
htmlfile2.htm ...
subdirectory1 \ index.htm
subdirectory2 \ index.htm ...
All files are optional, and names can be different (except for index.htm).
The files shown in bold above are generated automatically.
Features and Advantages
This system has several advantages over other image database systems:
- You don't need a special application program to view the database.
Any standard web browser may be used.
This makes it easy to distribute the database to other people without worrying about
how they're going to view it.
Everyone has a web browser -- they're free!
- Uses the file system to organize images.
The information about each image is stored along with the image, so there's no need for a centralized database.
This makes it easy to move images or sets of images between directories or disks.
- There is no GUI to learn. You can use Windows Explorer (or any third party equivalent) to
do all your file management.
- Can be used to create entire web sites, even if the web sites do not contain images.
- It's flexible. Advanced users can get creative by customizing the batch files or finding
new ways to use the various utilities.
- It doesn't fill up valuable disk space with thumbnail images. If you want thumbails, try
ThumbsPlus.
- Easily group images into sets by simply placing them into a common subdirectory, or by assigning keywords.
- Easily assign information to an image or set of images:
- Title
- Description
- Keywords
- Sort Order
- Additional text
- View images sequentially, by using Next/Prev buttons, or directly, by selecting images from an index.
- Specify the order in which links appear in an index, and the order in which images are displayed sequentially.
- Automatically display icons next to each index link based on the keywords that the linked item uses.
- Assign a thumbnail image to each set of images.
The thumbnail image automatically appears in the index which references the image set.
- Does not require an HTTP server. All files can be accessed directly by the browser by opening them directly.
- JavaScript features are compatible with Netscape 3.0+ and Internet Explorer 4.0+
- Best of all, IT'S FREE!
Copyright © 1996-1999 Christopher P. LaRosa. All Rights Reserverd.