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Error in the exported zip archive



  • 2004-11-13 19:32:10

    Error in the exported zip archive

    For every zip archive I export via the export content tool I get the same message when I try to open it with an archive manager (such as Winrar). The error is "Unexpected end of archive". Needless to say that I cannot import the file as well. Then ATutor displays the error:"Error : PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature ".What is the problem?


    operating system -Windows XP Pro
    version of ATutor -1.4
    versions of php -PHP 4.3.3
    version of mysq l -MySQL 4.0.15
    webserver & version -Apache 1.3.27


  • 2004-11-14 12:31:47

    WinXP zipping

    We have noticed this problem when attempting to unzip ATutor achived files on WinXP Pro. It does not appear to happen on other systems. We have not been able to determine the cause but strongly suspect it is WinXP specific.

    Try unzipping on another system.


  • 2004-12-28 16:08:32

    What is the status of the WinXP zipping problem?

    Has this been fixed? Will it be fixed?


  • 2004-12-28 16:23:30

    Eventually

    Seems to only be a problem with XP Pro. Winzip works fine on XP Home, and all other flavours of Windows we've tested it on.

    It is a fairly low priority item at the moment, but it will get fixed eventually. Whether its us creating a work around, or Microsoft fixing XP, or Winzip fixing their XPPro version....

    Try using WinRar if you can't get winzip to work.


  • 2004-12-28 17:10:34

    XP Home doesn't work either

    I tried opening the ZIP file with a Windows XP Home computer, and that got the same error. I've attached the file here. Let me know if you can open it.


  • 2004-12-28 18:42:28

    Can't reproduce on XPHome

    Just setup a new XPHome/ATutor installation and all seems fine. The bundle was taken from the 12-28 nightly build. I could not unzip the beta distribution of ATutor 1.4.3 on XP for some reason, which we'll have to investigate later. The nightly build has not had any zip related changes since the beta was released.

    Anyway....

    I could not open your attached content package on XP or Linux. It appeared to contain no files. (i.e. 12kb, should be more than that.)

    But...

    I was able to generate a package on Linux.
    Import that package into XP/ATutor/EasyPHP1-7
    Export the package from XP and import back into XP
    Import the XP package back into Linux
    Extract the XP package using winzip

    The problem seems to be export related on your systems. Can't say why though. All seems to work for me.

    Can you import a package into XP exported from the demo site (running on Linux)?

    http://atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php

    Try exporting then importing from the development demo as well

    http://atutor.ca/development/index.php

    The attached is a package generated from XP, of the admin section of the coming howto documentation. See if you can import, then export it.


  • 2004-12-28 19:51:19

    continued...

    I went to atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php
    I created a public test course called "Len's Course" (3 pages)
    I entered the course
    I clicked on "Export Content"
    I saved the ZIP file (12.8K)
    I opened the ZIP file and got the following error:
    "The Compressed (zipped) Folder is invalid or corrupted"

    What am I doing wrong?


  • 2004-12-28 20:50:38

    confirmed, but it seems to be IE

    I was able to reproduce the problem on the demo site, which is running 1.4.2, and the development demo site running pre1.4.3.

    But only when using Internet Explorer 6.0 on XP. When I used Firefox everything works fine. On my local XP installation I was able to import and export as described above, using IE, but when I did the same on a remote server the zip files don't export properly. Firefox works local and remote. I'll bring it up with Joel when we're back to work in January, to see if he has any ideas.

    I've also noticed that when using IE apostrophies in the course titles are a problem, but not a problem when using Firefox.

    IE on XP seems to be the combination the consistently produces the broken zip when exported from 1.4.2 and 1.4.3beta.

    .... try another browser


  • 2004-12-28 20:59:15

    Confirmed bug

    Good, we've confirmed it as a bug. Let me know when it is fixed.

    FYI, I am evaluating this platform for use with our customers. "try another browser" isn't an option with our customers, so this stuff has to work. I'm surprised that IE on XP isn't the #1 browser platform you guys test on. If functionality on IE/XP is a low priority, then this is probably not the plaftorm I want to use.

    Is my concern merited, or am I being paranoid?


  • 2004-12-28 21:53:28

    Its the browser

    It comes down to how motivated we are to create a workaround for a bug that exists in IE. Which often means, if there's funds to pay for it. We build to standards, which Microsoft has a tendency to bend to meet their needs.

    ATutor runs fine on an XP server, and we do develop on several versions of Windows. And, ATutor works fine in all browsers we've come across, except perhaps IE (and Netscape 4 when it was around).

    We are open source developers, and I admit we do develop for the open source community first. Windows gets developed for because there is demand, as is the case for most open source projects that supports Windows. Linux/Apache/PHP/MySQL is a better server environment as far as we're concerned. And its all free. As are many (better) browsers.

    Browser requirements are not uncommon for LMSs. I'd hate to see you pass on ATutor because of problems with IE. Apart from the zip issue, IE works fine with ATutor.


  • 2004-12-28 22:12:05

    Thanks

    Thanks for your patience and explanations, Greg. You have been a great help. The fact that you are out there and willing to answer my questions (even if I don't like the answer) increases my confidence in this as an option.


  • 2004-12-29 09:43:40

    Contributing a fix

    Part of open source development is the user community contributing features they need to the primary source code. This way the creator ensures that those features they need continue into future versions of the software, and other users benefit from those contribution. Many features of ATutor are supported by groups outside our own.

    If you do decide to use ATutor, offering a fix to deal with the XP/IE zip problem, could be a contribution your group could make to the ATutor community. I'm sure it would be useful for others.

    See the Development section for more about how community members can contribute.

    http://www.atutor.ca/development/index.php

    Good luck in your search...