The http server expects to see some sort of hierarchical file structure, much like setting up directories and subdirectories in DOS, or folders on a Mac. You can find out what your top directory is called by invoking the pwd command. Clearing the path - setting public permission Your first step is to grant public permission for anyone on the system to get into your top directory. That does not mean they can read your files or tamper with them in any way - all files are private unless you specify otherwise. To do this, you invoke the chmod command.
Every computer works in some combination of binary, octal, and hex.
The chmod command requires three arguments, so it has to be followed by three digits. These digits are in octal, so they can never exceed a value of 8. That means the person who created the file forgot to grant public permission to it. So, if you ever see that in your own files, you'll understand what happened and how to fix it. Let's say that you have created your home page in your top directory.