PHP 4.04pl1 Uploads and Syrup
Today I spent some time migrating the CIA Uploading and processing code to PHP 4.04pl1 because there were differences that I hadn't taken into account in 4.04, and I wanted to get the code working again as Joel was having so much trouble getting his PHP code to work. So I did it. I haven't liked that BMP files don't display properly in Netscape, but that's another story - and in fact, I created a wonderful work-around in CIA that solves yet another problem - BMP file size.
You see, the original scripts planned on having only JPEG files. But they are lossy and BMPs are not. So CIA can read either and convert from one to another. So if you give CIA a BMP file it will generate a JPEG file so that the scripts can use it for presentation. The fact is that JPEGs are a lot smaller than BMPs, so even if they send a BMP we want to show them a JPEG. It'll display faster, and that's important.
So now no matter what is uploaded, a JPEG is generated for viewing purposes. This is a good step forward. Additionally, the comment Joel made about problems in PHP 4.04pl1 are not true - at least not generally true. I have use the PHP 4.04pl1 source and built it and it shows no signs of adding additional lines to the beginning of a file. None at all.
On the syrup front, it looks like my cousin will be going with Online Merchant Gold a package that does a complete eCommerce site for you for a nominal set-up fee and a recurring $70/mo with 4.95% of each sale. This is a reasonable set-up because it offers the Certificate and SSL which would be at least $35/mo and then there's the support you get and the database and software.... so it's a reasonable deal. They do all the card processing sending you orders and checks. Sounds nice.
I also got the easyDNS working with my domain TheManFromSPUD.com and converted all my machines to this new domain name. Very nice to have everything more stable and working well. I haven't tried sendmail, but now that I have DNS, I'll be able to do that if I so choose.
I've also taken the time to update all the web pages to remove the IP addresses and put in the machine names with the domain so I don't have to worry about updating those pages if/when the IP addresses from MediaOne change. I have to say that this is one of the better things I've done in the office for a while. It's nice and clean and cheap, and it's great to know that people can find my machines no matter where they are. Cool!
UPDATE: there's another eCommerce solution that Leslie is considering. Their present web hoster has a simple eCommerce option that might just do the trick. She's checking into it to see how they do card processing and shipping, but it sounds pretty interesting for the price.