Mac OS X 10.1: Opening WebObjects Applications Without a Network Connection

Symptom

Project Builder opens an Internet Explorer window when opening a WebObjects application. If the computer is not connected to a network, the browser does not load the application because it is unable to find the server's address. A similar issue can arise if the computer has an incomplete network configuration.

Solution

Solution 1: Select an alternate default browser to open .html files

You must have another browser installed on your computer to use this solution (see note for browsers tested).

1. Using the Finder, navigate to the Sites folder under your home. Alternatively, search for any html file using Sherlock.

2. Select "index.html"

3. Choose Show Info from the File menu.

4. Choose "Open with application" from the pop-up menu.

5. Choose another browser and click Change All.
Mac OS X now opens all .html files with the browser you selected instead of Internet Explorer, and the application will load properly in Project Builder.

Note: The following browsers were tested: OmniWeb, Netscape 6, iCab. You can perform the test yourself. Start Web Sharing in the System Preferences and load "localhost" in your browser. When the computer is not connected to the network not alert box should appear.

Solution 2: Use an IP address

In Mac OS X, Internet Explorer can load local addresses with no network connection if a numerical address of "127.0.0.1" is used instead of "localhost".

1. Open the project in Project Builder

2. Select Targets from the vertical tabs on the left.
The list of targets features your application name, Application Server and Web Server.

3. Select your application.

4. Select the Executables tab from the target settings panel.

5. Add the launch arguments:
-WOAdaptorURL http://127.0.0.1/cgi-bin/WebObjects

Solution 3: Set a local name for your computer

This solution requires administrator privileges and some Unix command-line knowledge. If you don't feel comfortable with these, use one of the previous solutions. The terminal commands are listed in fixed width font.

If Project Builder already loads a host name other than "localhost", go directly to step 7.

1. Open Terminal and go to the /etc folder:
cd /etc

2. Make a backup copy of your hostconfig file: (use the administrator password)
sudo cp -i hostconfig hostconfig.old

3. Open the file for editing:
sudo pico hostconfig

4. Insert your computer name instead of -AUTOMATIC- in the line:
HOSTNAME=-AUTOMATIC-

5. Save (Control-X)the hostconfig file.

6. Restart your computer to update the network settings.

7. Open NetInfo Manager.

8. Authenticate using the Domain > Security menu.

9. Browse to /machines/localhost and duplicate the directory (Edit menu).

10. Write your computer name (same as step 4) in the "name" property of "localhost copy".

11. Save your local copy (Domain menu).

Project Builder will now use your computer name instead of "localhost" and the application will load properly.