A Novices Experience-PHP5 & MySQL

As an 'internet Marketing' newbie I recently was forced to set up a server on my laptop so I could properly test web-sites written in php code. I am pretty much a html sort of guy and have come back around to the internet after an absence of five or six years, to find things have moved on, and that you need to be able to use this sort of stuff to do Internet marketing properly- article sights, pre made web-sites etc.

I was unable to open these 'pre-made' sights directly in Interent explorer and was only able to get a vague idea of what they looked like by opening them in Dreamweaver- which recognizes php code. I tried to open these sites in a web browser but was told I needed a local server. "How do I do that"? I asked.So, I had no way to see what the final product would look like until I put it on my 'proper' Internet server - not a very efficient way to do things if you want to change elements around.

After a bit of a hunt around on the Internet I discovered that I needed to set up a testing server on my own computer. It seemed the easy way to do this was to get Apache server , PHP, and my SQL database installed on my machine. As there were no e-books available on this. [Is that a Niche Market?] I took a trip to my local bookstore and came away with something I thought would do the job.There I was, filled with excitement and new ideas that this would all be nice and easy. But of course, it wasn't. My first problem was that the book told me to get Apache 1.3. But I could only find only find an Apache two download.

A search for 'Apache 1.3 download 'gives the following 'official' site

http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi -but you have to look closely to find the 'ARCHIVE' file! Which is where the 1.3 versions live. Apparently The PHP people don't think their software works as well on the Apache2 software- probably still being ironed out- but I wanted to do what the book says. Find 1.3 versions here:

PostgreSQL Database in cPanel

This article will explain you on how to manage MySQL or PostgreSQL database in cPanel. After logging into cPanel you will find the MySQL or PostgreSQL icons. CPanel screen lets you to create or work with those types of databases. CPanel uses a similar interface for both types of databases, that’s why most of the web host offers MySQL.

On the MySQL/PostgreSQL cpanel screen you will see four main sections as shown in the figure below. The very first section lets you to create and work with the database. Below that there is another section which allows you to create database users that will be able to access the databases. Next section is to setup remote access to your databases only if your web host allows. At last there is a hyperlink given to phpMyAdmin or phpPgAdmin, the web interfaces for advanced work with your databases.

MySQL PostgreSQL Database cPane

lHow to create a database?

Its not so hard to create database, but there are few things you will need to know. The first thing you are gonna need to create database is the last item in database section. Just write the name of the database into the Db: field and simply click on Add Db button. The database of the name will be created. There will be slightly difference in actual database name you have chosen. It will be created with your cPanel username and with an underscore added before the name you chosen. For example: domain_database1.

How to create a database user?

To use a created database you need atleast one user into the database. For creating a new user simply type a username and password in the “users:” section and click on Add User. A new user will be created immediately. The database username will look like this “domain_robin“.

Now, how to add a user to the database?

Now you have to associate the above created user with the database. Now, if you check out the above Add Db field it has a set of drop-down lists. The first field allows you to select a user that you have created and in second field you have to select the database that you want to associate with that user. Now just click on Add User to Db and its done. Also, you can add a single user to multiple databases if you wish to.Once you have associated a user with the database you will notice that the listing for that database get more detailed. It will show you the database name followed by some links to delete or repair the database and then you will be able to see all the users in the database. Also, it will show you some sample code that shows you how to connect to the database in PHP, Perl or JDBC script.

How to remove or repair a database?Just next to the username there is a button called Delete, but this can be confusing as deleting a user from a database will only remove the user and all the records the user had in that database. It will not affect the actual user you created, it will still work in other databases. As well as there is Check button given to check database for problems, and if it has any errors just click on Repair. And still if that doesn’t work then you must contact your web host.

manage workforce-Time & Attendance tools

Time & attendance tools are the indispensable tools when you have a work force to manage or when you have flexible time around shifts. The attendance requesters to control time recording as a way of data collection around the time and attendance of the workforce is an ancient concept. In case you need to ensure that you are paying your employees as per the actual time and attendance then you should either have those high end softwares that would give you a detailed report of the time & attendance of your work force or you could have those access control systems employed.

To choose from the time & attendance tool and the access control system, you need to consider two things primarily. The first is the luxury of budget that you have and secondly the kind of workforce or the strength of work force that you have. In case you have a huge work force then there is no argument, you would need to go for the access control. As this would not only take care of the time recording and data collection but would at the same time restrict any unauthorized entrance in your work building. This is relatively expensive and is employed by people who have either a large number of people working for them or where in security is the primary concern.

On the other hand there are any time and attendance tools. These would help your data collection around time recording when you have flexible time shifts. The only thing that this tool would not do is restrict unauthorized access to your work building like the access control. As no matter whichever tool you would be using for time & attendance data collection, the employee would have to be at the work place to do so. In case of the access control, when the employee shows his ID, he is marked present and the time is noted. This has its own benefits but then the budget is a major player here.

Selection of hosting company

Ok, you have your web site built and are now confused as to all the choices you have in order to find a home for your site. It is good to make a right choice the first time, because if you have to move to another hosting service, it will cost you time and you will lose some of your valued customers due to the downtime setting up with another web host.

You will also have to pay set up and hosting fees for a new account.

Here are some basic things to consider when choosing a Web Hosting Service:

1. Speed and reliability of the servers and hardware

Make sure they have a high-speed connection (preferably T3 or higher) to the Internet.

*Effective Bandwidth Management – opt for unlimited bandwidth for your site.

*Backup Systems – good hosts will have back up systems in place to guard against power failures, which will cause you to lose data and customers.

2. Features

Compatibility with existing Software and SkillsIs

your host’s server, software and support services compatible with the skills and software you are using? For example if you are using FrontPage to create your site, make sure they have FrontPage extensions installed on their server.

Some of the basic features of a hosting service should include:

Domain name registration
At least 5MB of allocated space
Unmetered bandwidth
Free Technical Support
POP3 E-Mail Accounts
Email Forwarding
Email Auto-responders
Email Aliases
FTP Access
FrontPage Support
Own CGI-Bin Access
Free Perl, CGI
Server Side Includes (SSI)
Password Protection
Reseller/referral program
30 day money back guarantee

Flexibility and room for growth – Keep in mind the future needs of your web site. If the traffic to your site explodes, or in the future you may need a database solution then your host must be able to accommodate the changes.

Quality of their support services
Quality of existing customers – ask for any BIG current customers that are hosting with that service.

Opinions of existing customers – ask for any testimonies of existing customers to get feedback from them concerning reliability and support.
Stability – you do not want your hosting service to go out of business (like what happened to many of the free hosts) and leave you stranded. Check how many years they have been in business.

Support and Responsiveness – Make sure you can contact them 24/7 by phone or email. Test the quality and efficiency of response by sending them an email pertaining to some question you may have before you sign up.

3. Types of Hosting Services

Free Hosting:Free sites are for people whose sites are small and do not expect much traffic.

Pros It’s Free For small non business sites

ConsNo usage of domain namesLimited technical supportUnreliability of servers, softwareLimited web space, technical supportHost may shut down due without notice

Virtual Hosting: (also known as domain or shared hosting).This is the most popular and cost effective form of hosting.

Pros Low cost Great for the average business sites Good technical support

ConsMultiple sites on serverSometimes slow updatesLimited security and control due to the large number of sites on 1 serverUse your own domain name (www.yoursite.com)

What can you expect to pay?

Expect to pay $5 - $50/month for a small web hosting package of 20-50MB of allocated space for your site. This will be enough for up to 20 pages with a few graphics on each page. You may find less expensive ones if you are lucky.( isitebuild.com/sitehosting.htm). Most small web sites use only 2-3MB. Make sure you can upgrade your hosting plan, should your site expand.When you sign up for a monthly service, there is usually no fixed length contract, so you can terminate your contract at any time. Your commitment is month to month although you often will get a discount if you sign up for 1-2 years.If you follow these basic guidelines, you will have a reliable, efficient and satisfying hosting service that will contribute to the success of your business for many years to come.

selection of domain name

Every professional business should be keeping up with the demands and needs of its customers, if it is to survive. One ofthe essential tools of any business these days is to have aprofessional web site. This begins with choosing and registeringa domain name that will clearly identify and brand your businessonline for many years to come, so you need to choose wisely.

How to choose a domain name

1. If you want your web site to have an added advantage in thesearch engines, think of a domain name that includes keywordsvisitors would search for in the main search engines.

2. Make a list of all the possible names that would suit yourbusiness (i.e. isitebuild.com contains resources for buildingyour own web site or getting one built). Use www.nameboy.com forresearching domain names. NameBoy will generate domain namesbased on the keywords you enter. If the dotcom name you want isnot available, create a longer name that describes your businessor use names that include hyphens (i.e. ihost-websites.com)

3. If possible, keep your domain name short so it is easy tospell and easy to remember. Take into account someone mayremember the name but forget there is a hyphen in it – you thenmiss out on those potential customers.

4. If the dotcom name is not available, try the other newabbreviations such as .BIZ .US,.INFO, .TV. These are not aspopular as .COM, however you may get closer to the name youwant. How to register a domain name1. Any company that sells domain names must be registeredand accredited with iCann - The Internet Corporation forAssigned Names and Numbers (http://www.icann.org).You can get a domain name for under $10 from Godaddy.com.Read carefully what’s on their site as you go through theregistration process. It’s easy to inadvertently sign up for other services you don’t need.

What is the DNS system?

It is the computer action of changing domain names into numeric Internet protocol (IP) numbers which enables computers to locate web sites and e-mail. If you haven’t chosen a Web Host, then park your domain namewith your domain name registrar (this is a temporary location tostore your domain until you are ready to have it hosted).

How to transfer a domain name.

There may be several reasons why you would want to transfer:

Renewing Domain NamesThere is a good chance that you could save money on domainname renewals by transferring them to a different registrar.Check out the prices from different registrars at NewRegistrars.com.

Before renewing a domain name, make sure you know whichregistrar the domain name is actually registered with. WhoIsQuery.com is the only WhoIs known that handlesthe CORE registrars as well as the ICANN ones. -

You parked your domain name and have now found a Web Hostto upload your site to.

-You are not happy with the service or are paying too much foryour current web host and want to switch to another.

1. If you are transferring your domain name to another web host,download (copy) all files to your computer from your old host. Sometimes files may be stored on your host but not on yourcomputer, so doing this will ensure you downloaded the whole site.Keep a copy of your files on the old host, while you transfer to another host, so you won't experience any downtime of your web site.

2. Open a new hosting account.

3. Change the DNS (domain name system) or Name Server information on the current domain name to the new hosting company name servers. You can find this information by going to the domain name registrar(the place where you registered your domain name).Your domain will take some time (24-72 hours) to propagate overthe Internet, before it appears on the new hosting company servers.

4. Upload all files to the new host.

5. Amend and test your web site. Check that all files have been uploaded from your computer and that your web site appears exactly as it did before.

6. Cancel the previous hosting account when you are satisfied with the transfer of your domain name to the new host.

A Great Tip for registering several domain names.

Since domain names are so cheap these days (they used to cost $35/year), you can afford to own severaldomains. Each domain can have its own web site. Mostsmall sites use less than 5MB of hosting space, so you couldhost several sites for a small price. What are the benefits of doing this? Linking each of these web sites together and submitting them tothe search engines will increase your sites search engine rankings.It will also broaden the places visitors can access your business. Generating a continuous traffic flow leads to more sales. You have now implemented and solved one of your crucialmarketing strategies.

Install a CGI Script in Website

You may have delayed cgi script installation due to the apparently complexprocess. Well, I avoided it also for several years, however if you want toincrease your web site's interactivity it's a necessity to know how to do it. It's not hard to learn and you don't have to be a programmer.

What is CGI ?

Common Gateway Interface or CGI is a program that can interact with an html form on your web site, and processes the results on your server usinga cgi script. The result generated is a dynamic web page. The cgi script iswritten in a language called PERL ("practical extraction and reportinglanguage").

Uses of CGI Scripts

CGI scripts are most commonly used for creating user interaction with an htmlform on your web site. Other uses include: autoresponders, shopping carts,counters, mailing list managers, ad management, surveys, polls, discussionboards, content management, calendars and click tracking. There are 100s of free cgi scripts that can be found on the Net. Just do a search on Google for "free cgi scripts" or visit the resources at the end of this article. We will create an html email form to collect the name, email address and comments of subscribers using a secure cgi formmail script. An automatic confirmation will be sent and the results of the email form will be passedon to your email address.

Steps to installing your own cgi script

. Check that your web host supports CGI - your web host will have a cgi-binfolder installed on the server. The cgi-bin is a special directory in the server where all the files which require security are kept. This is where you will upload your cgi script once it has been modified.

2. Download the cgi script - this is a secure cgi formmail script. Spammerscan't access and harvest your email address from this script.

3. Read the documentation that comes with the script - this will give you athorough understanding what changes you need to make to have it work correctly with your web site and server. It will also provide you with someexamples.

Editing your script

4. Open and edit your cgi script using notepad (don't use an html editor as thiscan create errors).

5. Remove the html tags from the script (at the top and bottom).

6. Change the path to perl to: #!/usr/bin/perl -wT (this is the first line of the script to be edited).

7. Edit the script - the bolded section of the cgi script shown below, are the other minimum fields to fill out in the script. Replace the fields in the script you downloaded with the bolded fields in the script below.

Add-On Domains -web hosting space

Is it possible to host two or more sites with two or moredomains on the same hosting account? You may want toregister and market another domain name but don't want topay for another hosting account. The best solution is tocreate an add-on domain.

What is an add-on domain?

An add-on domain is a new domain that is added on top ofyour main domain. It creates a sub directory within yourmain web hosting directory but can show a different website. The add-on domain collects the information from thesub domain directory using the same space and bandwidth asyour main account, however it won't have its own cpanel(web hosting manager).

Add-on domain benefits.

1. Create multiple domains/websites on the same web hostingaccount.

2. Save money and web space by using one hosting account instead of several hosting

accounts.

3. The add-on domain shares all the same resources (disk space,bandwidth...) with your main

site.

4. The add-on domain has its own FTP manager, site stats, cgi-bin which is created

automatically.

5. Upload all pages, images, scripts, forums etc to your add-on domain directory.

6. Access your add-on domain using several web site addressesi.e.http://www.SiteB.com,

SiteB.SiteA.comhttp.SiteA.com/SiteB

7. Promote several web sites within one hosting account with their own set of keywords.

How to create an add-on domain.

1. Register your new add-on domain with a domain nameregistrar.

2. Point the DNS (domain name sever) informationof your new add-on domain to the same DNS of your web host.

3. Allow 24-48 hours for the DNS to propagate over the Netbefore uploading your files.

4. Log in to your cpanel (web hosting manager) and scroll to add-on domains.

5. Fill in these three fields: