Andy's Dev Blog

How To Successfully Log Out Using PHP_AUTH_USER

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:29:49 +0000

A lot of people don't seem to like using PHP's internal header system to force someone to log into a page using Basic Authentication... I do.

I can store the usernames and passwords in a database, or an array, it simply doesn't matter. That's not the problem most people seem to have with it.

Most people can't seem to get the user to log off. They try to kill sessions, unset variables, all kinds of things...

Now, a quick side note: I believe every web coder should take some kind of course on the platform they are developing for. If you're a PHP Coder, take an Apache Course of some kind. Learn it well.

So, unsetting the variable doesn't work. Killing the session doesn't work. You just can't seem to get the user to log out... fine, don't make them log out. Force them to log in again, with a forced username and password.... yeah, it's that simple!


header('HTTP/1.0 401 Unauthorized');
header("Location: http://logout:logout@{$SERVER['SERVER_NAME']}/page.php");

This technique works provided there is nobody with the username of logout and the password of logout... if so, just change it to something that fits your needs.

~Andy

Optimizing Yourself Through Technology

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:33:04 +0000

There are too many people who suffer from the "Shiney Object Syndrome" - you know, where they see something "neat" and just "have to have it" because "everyone else has it"... which is really a sad excuse to "justify" something to yourself.

A phone, computer, component, device.... whatever it is that has your attention must fix a problem in your life before you bring it in.

Does the object:

Fill a need
Make life easier
Improve productivity
Solve a problem
Add to your bottom line

If it doesn't, it has no place in your business life.

Too many small business owners ran out and bought an iPhone - why? While it is a "nice phone", it was by no means a "business phone". It was an expensive badge to show off to friends.

The majority of small business owners who I know that do have iPhones are not tech savvy people (which in and of itself is not a bad thing, unless they're operating some kind of online tech business).

While the product has made leaps and bounds over it's initial release, it still doesn't meat my criteria as a functional device I would carry.

If you're thinking of adding anything to your life, make sure it meets the base criteria to optimize your own life before making the purchase.

~Andy

Asus EEE Cup Holder Mount

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:03:05 +0000

Asus EEE Cup Holder Mount

Many years ago, I decided to become a Mobile Professional. In fact, as a matter of geek pride, I was the first person in Florida to have a Sprint Mobile Broadband/Internet Anywhere/EVDO card... as a gadget guy, I also picked up an Asus EEE computer as a portable rig a year ago or so...

As part of the work I do, I travel a few hours away for Live Video Broadcasting, and Audio/Video Recording. While on the road, I still like to maintain an active connection to my servers, my Instant Messenger, and some chat channels - all of which are part of my business. I had been rigging up my EEE in the passenger seat, and quite honestly, the setup just wasn't safe.

After a quick google, I discovered a Cup Holder Car Mount for the Asus EEE for under $17.00! What a no-brainer...

I quickly ordered myself one of these... I figure for seventeen bucks, what did I have to lose?

Above : Picture off their website of the product - side view.

Above : My ADD Dashboard. I think I need more stuff....

Above : Head on view.

It's a nice addition to my already ADD Dashboard, which includes two roating mounts, one for my phone - a verizon Dare - and one for my Ipod.

Set up was practically non existant. Open the box, open the bags, slap it together. The base of the mount fits inside the cup holder, and it has a expanding/contracting dial to adjust the diameter of the base, in case you have a larger or smaller cup holder.

They send some pretty heavy duty velcro to make the Eee stay in place on top of the mount. The mount also has a nice anti-shock feature, which is nice for any bumps in the road.

I did some quick driving tests in my neighborhood, and did notice that on sharp turns, the set up tended to be a little top heavy... but other than that, it works like a charm.

One of the things I like about this set up is that it's portable. If I end up going somewhere in a different vehicle, I can still take it with me, without having to bolt something down to the floor or seat. Portability in this day and age is a plus.

There are pleanty of other mounts available on their website. It's worth a quick visit.

Shame they don't have an affiliate program.

The Basic Difference Between Server Sided And Client Sided Software

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:02:39 +0000

I was looking around trying to find a basic explination of Client Sided vs Sever Sided software/programming, but every article I found was written pretty technically.

So, I decided to go ahead and write one of my own.

Client Sided Software
A client, as far as programming is concerned, is an application or system that accesses a remote service on another computer system, known as a server, by way of a network. For example, your web browser (Hopefully FireFox), is a client program that views web pages on web servers. You download the client and install it locally on your computer.

Server Sided Software
The server is what the client accesses for whatever information it is seeking. However, the server has to be running some form of server sided software in order for it to properly process the request that the client makes. When your web browser visits a web page, the server is running server sided software to handle that request. From the consumers standpoint, there is nothing to install past the client (with some minor exceptions) to view the server content.

Think of it this way: A person can go into a music store and purchase a guitar. The guitar, in this example, has just become the client side of the equation. A person must know how to properly play the guitar for it to function properly - Smoke On The Water doesn't count! The knowledge and ability to play the guitar is the Server Sided Software needed. In this case, the information is stored in a persons memory - our own internal servers. If one does not possess the knowledge or ability to play the guitar - in other words, they're not running the server sided software - they can't play it. The client - in this case the guitar - is useless.

In the Web Application Development World, we develop primarily server sided software (PHP, ASP, etc). The clients our software require to run are usually web browsers (FireFox, Opera).

Recapping: Server Sided Software usually requires no installation from the consumer, and typically requires the consumer to install a client of some form to access.

Thinking Of Adding Live Streaming Video To Your Site?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:05:21 +0000

Can't let too much out of the bag, but a service of mine is about to get some major national attention. Basically, it's a very easy and simple way to add live video streaming to your website. This isn't the normal "video on my website" deal and it's more comprehensive than some of the other embedded live video streamers out there today.

Leading up to the inking of this deal, I have noticed something rather unique about the decision to add live streaming video to your website: Once you take the step there is no going back!

I'm in this unique position because of the unreliability of another company that was handling the live streaming needs of this customer. They failed, in essence, on the customer support side of the fence. When their technology works, it works well; when it doesn't, it might be a very easy fix, but there is nobody around to help.

That's where the big issue is. When you decide to add a live stream to your site, your visitors will immediately being to expect the live feed. If it's down, they complain, and they complain loudly.

Live video streaming has proven to be a very easy way to gain more customers, fans, and friends... it's also proven to be a way to tick off your entire audience when it doesn't work right.

The old addage "you get what you pay for" really comes to mind in this situation.

Anyhow, I hope to share more very soon... watch the press releases!

~Andy

Virtualization Has It's Place

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:20:01 +0000

So I finally bit the bullet. I am now running a virtual vista ultimate machine on my mac book pro. Even though I had to deal with a lot of confused looks from people, virtualization really does have it's time and place.

As a PHP/MySQL Web Applications Developer, here's what I have found useful thusfar:

Cross Platform Compatibility Testing is now a lot easier than it was before.
IE/Windows Only is a term that no longer bothers me.
Geek Points! I've always referred to myself as being OS Agnostic, and this continues that mantra.

Although the installation and set up was relatively painless, it's not something I would recommend to everyone. Make sure you have a need for virtualization first. If you believe you do, then by all means, don't hold out.

~Andy

Week 04's Topic - CMS: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:47:54 +0000

Next week should prove to be a very interesting one. Mike and I are going to be addressing some key things with Content Management Systems. I've always written my own, simply because of the security issues - namely 0 day exploits - I've personally seen with the major "free" CMS platforms out there today.

So, if you're using a CMS or blog engine to drive your page - you'll want to pay close attention to the blog, podcast and newsletter next week... it's going to be interesting to say the least~

~Andy

Technical Coaching Is Important

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:16:45 +0000

If you're in any kind of business, I believe you need technical coaching - not just technical training!

When you're trained to do something, you do that one thing very well (at least that's the concept behind training!).

When you're technically coached you discover how to approach, interpret, and otherwise "deal with" technical issues that may arise from time to time.

Yelling at a phone won't make it work. Cursing at your printer won't make it print. Wishing bad things on Bill, Steve, or Linus won't make your computer act right.

However, when you discover the method to addressing technical issues, and learn that the very same method can be applied to virtually limitless situations, you are indeed liberated.

Remember, Success doesn't just show up. You have to achieve Traction Through Action.

~Andy

Starting Fresh Is Harder Than You Might Think

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:20:07 +0000

For a while now, I've known I wanted to remove the KeyThing.com footprint off the web, and start fresh with another site. Originally, I had thought of just redoing the Keything.com site and moving forward, but when the opportunity to join TTA presented itself, I thought it best to focus my efforts here.

So what to do about all the KeyThing.com efforts in SEO/SEM over the last few years?

The easiest thing to do was simply "confuse" the search engines. By redirecting KeyThing.com a couple times, I was able to remove the majority of the search results from the major search engines.

Now, with TractionThroughAction.com launching (in a big way, I might add) I will be able to rebuild from a clean slate.

And what a pretty slate it is.

Limited Free Advertising Opportunity

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:47:14 +0000

I gotta tell you, I hate doing anything for free. I really do. However, I'm going to break from my normal routine, and offer up some free advertising during the Action Report Podcast. I'm only going to give away 5 spots to run for 4 episodes.

Here's what you'll get:

30 seconds to 1 minute commercial
Professional BGM and Voice Over work
Spot will run for 4 consecutive podcasts

You'll need to respond by January 30th, 2009 in order to get in on the action.

Just click on the contact link on the top of this page and get ahold of our US office.

~Andy

The Podcast

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:38:33 +0000

It felt great to podcast yesterday. I went out and picked up a real nice microphone - an AT2020 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone. I am quite impressed with it. Much better than any microphone I have ever used before. The sound quality on it is amazing. I'm looking forward to future episodes of The Action Report, plus some additional Podcast work I am picking up for some other customers. I'll be sure to keep you posted on the progress of those.

~Andy