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Don’t Put Spaces in Java Install Path!

Oracle Weblogic Server 12c logo

So you’ve decided you want to install Oracle Middleware Weblogic Server on Windows, but you haven’t installed the Java JDK yet. Are you thinking about installing it somewhere like “C:\Program Files\Java\jdk…”?

Do not pass GO, do not collect $200, go directly to Oracle installation jail! For whatever reason, Oracle – who also happens to own Java – has made their Weblogic Configuration Wizard completely unfriendly to any spaces being present in the Java installation path. If you don’t heed my advice, you’ll likely end up with the error message
“C:\Program is not recognized as an internal or external command…”
or something like it.

Either choose the default location for installing Java, or if you must put it on a different drive than C, only change the drive letter. This will prevent a great amount of frustration!

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HTTP Error 414 on WordPress

HTTP error 414

While trying to update the WP LinkedIn widget on a WordPress blog, I ran into an HTTP error I had never seen before: 414.

HTTP error 414 indicates that the URI is too long for the web server to interpret it.

In the case of a WordPress blog, this is likely caused by a security feature of the iThemes security plugin. If iThemes is being used, the first step would be to turn off the “Filter Long URL Strings” checkbox. This can be accessed through the WordPress admin console: Security –> Settings –> System Tweaks.

System Tweaks in iThemes Settings

The checkbox is about halfway down the page.

Filter long URLs checkbox

I would suggest turning this off only long enough to complete whatever administrative action you are doing, and then turning it back on, so as not to create an unnecessary vulnerability.

If you are not running iThemes, the setting is likely found in the Apache configuration, and may need to be addressed there.

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Mailing Attachments from the Terminal Prompt in UNIX and Linux

UNIX logo

Transferring files from a UNIX or Linux server when FTP is not installed can be tricky. In my case, there was a set of log files that I needed to send to someone for analysis. After discovering that FTP was not set up on the server, I decided to try another route: zipping the logs into a single file and emailing the file to me.

First, I had to zip the files. The zip command was easy enough:

zip <zipped filename> <files to be zipped>

zipping files in UNIX

Next, I had to mail the zipped file. Fortunately, mailx was installed! Using this in conjunction with uuencode, and the file would be on its way.

uuencode <original filename> <final filename> | mailx -s <subject of email – put in quotes> <email address>

mailx example

Be sure to check your junk or spam folder, as email from the server could end up there.

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Entering License Keys for ColdFusion 2018

ColdFusion 2018 about screen

In case you decide not to enter a license key upon installing CF 2018, or if you entered one at installation, but want to enter a different one to upgrade between versions, there doesn’t seem to be any documentation on where to do that.

The System Information screen can be accessed by clicking the “i” in a circle in the upper right-hand corner of the admin screen.

ColdFusion 2018 admin screen system information link

In the System Information screen, enter your license key into the New License box and click Submit Changes.

CF 2018 New License area