Overview
The Media Section contains properties related to the special files that Second Site includes with your site. Which values you choose depends mostly on whether you are publishing your site on the web or distributing it on removable media such as a DVD or flash drive.
Create GENDEX File
When Create GENDEX File is checked, Second Site creates a file in the same format as that used by GENDEX, an index of names contained on genealogical web sites. Unfortunately, the original GENDEX site has been discontinued, but the feature is compatible with new sites and may be useful for other purposes.
The GENDEX file is written to the Output (-o) folder as "GENDEX.txt". Copy this file to your web site host when you copy the other files there. If a GENDEX site becomes available, follow the rules found there for submitting your GENDEX index.
If you decide to submit your data to a GENDEX index, it is critical to also set the Page Sizes.Static Page Assignments checkbox. With Static Page Assignments, the index you submit will still work properly even after you update your site and as long as you don't modify the Page Sizes.People per Page property.
Use Shared Libraries
The Use Shared Libraries checkbox determines whether the generated site will use shared JavaScript libraries in place of libraries stored in the Output (-o) folder.
If Use Shared Libraries is checked, the generated site will use JavaScript libraries that are stored on a high-speed, high-availability content distribution network provided by Google for frequently used JavaScript libraries such as the jQuery library used by Second Site. Using shared libraries will reduce the load on the server where you host your site and will help your pages load as quickly as possible.
If Mobile Media is checked, the Use Shared Libraries checkbox is ignored and Second Site will not use the shared libraries: it's not wise to use shared libraries when distributing your site via removable media.
If you do not have an active Internet connection when browsing a local copy of your site on your own PC, you should uncheck the Use Shared Libraries checkbox. However, when you build a version of the site that you intend to upload to a web hosting service, Use Shared Libraries should be checked.
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Making a site that will be uploaded to a web server | Checked |
| Making a site that will be distributed via removable media | Unchecked |
| Making a site for use on your PC and you have an active Internet connection | Checked |
| Making a site for use on your PC and you do not have an active Internet connection | Unchecked |
Mobile Media
If you are creating a site for distribution via DVD or some other mobile media, make sure that Mobile Media is checked. Second Site optimizes the organization of the files in the Output (-i) folder when Mobile Media is checked.
Conversely, make sure that Mobile Media is unchecked if you are not creating a site you will publish on removable media.
When Mobile Media is checked, Second Site moves the contents of the site from the Output (-o) folder to a subfolder named site and creates a minimal set of files in the top level of the Output folder. If the contents of the Output (-o) folder are subsequently copied to the root folder of your removable media, the main page of the generated site will be easy to open when the media is inserted into some other computer.
Mobile Media not checked
- mysite-o
- index.htm
- p1.htm
- ...
Mobile Media is checked
- mysite-o
- index.htm
- site
- p1.htm
- ...
User may open the site by double-clicking the index.htm file.