AFAIK: you’ve tried to remove the querystring? i.e. an url without ?type=google?

http://myserver.cornell.edu/tilecache/1.0.0/google-tiles/4/7/6.png?type=google

the response i get from tilecache is

An error occurred: The requested layer (tilecache.py) does not exist. Available layers are:
* google-tiles

I’m assuming this has something to do with the way IIS is handling the uri style parameters. I did enable PATH_INFO by setting the AllowPathInfoForScriptMappings to TRUE.

Any help is welcome!

Little GOCHA:

** Change the name or copy tilecache.cgi to tilecache.py***

I just noticed that while my quick follow-along setup was working nicely with safari (3.1.2), Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.16 was not able to load the NASA images.

I checked my apache logs and when requests are made by FF this is the error:
[Thu Aug 14 01:34:37 2008] [error] [client 127.0.0.1] script not found or unable to stat: /Library/WebServer/Documents/tilecache/tilecache.py, referer: http://localhost/tilecache/

… surely tilecache.py does not exist in the svn checkout and copying tilecache.cgi to tilecache.py made things operational for Mozilla. This need for tilecache.py is coming from Diego’s custom OpenLayers configuration, which I missed the subtly of.

However, I wonder how it was working at all in Safari?

Great article! The way you setup and explain TileCache is a great contribution.

One challenge new users will likely have when following along will be making the proper system-specific adjustments.

I just ran through your process on my system (Mac OS 10.5) and in case anyone might benefit here are my annotated notes:

## Build notes for TileCache Tutorial on Mac OS 10.5 ##

# Note, Mac OS comes pre-installed with Apache so only mod_python is needed.

# Install mod_python
svn co https://svn.apache.org/repos/asf/quetzalcoatl/mod_python/trunk/ mod_python
cd mod_python
./configure
make
sudo make install

# Make backup of apache configuration file
cp /private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf /private/etc/apache2/httpd_original.conf

# Make test directory and give ownership to Apache user
mkdir /Library/WebServer/Documents/test
chgrp www /Library/WebServer/Documents/test
chown www /Library/WebServer/Documents/test

# Open apache config in default text editor
open /private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf

### Make the below additions to http.conf ###
# Add load instructions for mod_python
LoadModule python_module libexec/apache2/mod_python.so

# Add mod_python directive

AddHandler mod_python .py
PythonHandler mptest
PythonDebug On

# Then create the hello world python file and make executable
touch /Library/WebServer/Documents/test/mptest.py
chmod +x /Library/WebServer/Documents/test/mptest.py

# Open up in text editor to add sample code
open /Library/WebServer/Documents/test/mptest.py

# Test and restart apache
apachectl configtest
apachectl restart
# Or go to System Preferences > Sharing > Web Sharing (check it)

# Go to test url in browser
open http://localhost/test/mptest.py

# If you experience any problems open up the apache error log
open /private/var/log/apache2/error_log

# Install TileCache
svn co http://svn.tilecache.org/trunk/tilecache tilecache
cp -r tilecache/ /Library/WebServer/Documents/

# Make cache directory
mkdir /Library/WebServer/Documents/cache
chgrp www /Library/WebServer/Documents/cache
chown www /Library/WebServer/Documents/cache

# Open apache config again in default text editor
open /private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf

### Make the below additions to http.conf ###
# Add tilecache directive

AddHandler python-program .py
PythonHandler TileCache.Service
PythonPath “['/Library/WebServer/Documents/tilecache'] + sys.path”
PythonOption TileCacheConfig “/Library/WebServer/Documents/tilecache/tilecache.cfg”
PythonDebug Off

# Edit the tilecache.cfg to edit
open /Library/WebServer/Documents/tilecache/tilecache.cfg

# Change this line as such:
base=/Library/WebServer/Documents/cache

# Test and restart apache
apachectl configtest
apachectl restart

# Open sample html page in browser
open /Library/WebServer/Documents/tilecache/index.html

# proceed with modifying the javascript to extend example…

# Send a big thanks to Diego and Chris!

Although I’ll admit that the TileCache documentation is somewhat woefully incomplete, I did at least put together some information on SuperOverlays — and hey, it’s open source, so patches are always welcome.

If you’re interested in this kind of stuff, you might also be interested to know that we’re hiring: Looking for another person to help with exactly this kind of work — developer outreach — on both our open source projects and MetaCarta’s software as a service offerings (MetaCarta OnDemand).

If you’re interested, feel free to contact us and let us know!