Create a Members and Customers only area How?

php or Asp for password protection and usability for a novice devolper?

[lasko]

I am trying to create a special area in my website so that visitors can sign up and log in. This is to create stickiness in my web.

I would also like to provide another area unique for my advertisers so they can log in and find some usefull tools including statistics etc.

My web is advertising holiday rentals by the owner in a specific area so I am trying to attract returning visitors.

I have got to grips with using php and some Cgi scripts but never seem to get Asp to work and my site is ready for Asp on my hosting service. I am also not keen on MySql databases.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice on how I can create my members area in the easiest way whilst keeping it interesting?

Would be gratefull for any input:)

[jatar_k]

I have a customer section on my company site which has quite a bit of information in it.

I have a customer login page on the site, it uses php/mysql for the login process. The information is then laid out based on the login info and they can wander around and see all kinds of fancy graphs and things.

Are there any specific reasons for your mysql aversion?

I also custom track all activity within the customer section so I know what people are looking at and what parts are more popular etc.

[lasko]

Sounds just what I want to do!

I have never used Mysql which is why I don't have the confidence to get stuck it.

I have looked at Mysql and found it to be very heavy for me but like most things, it will be easy in the end.

My hosting company supplies me with Mysql and at the present moment shows no databases found.

I have used php scripts and successfully used perl scripts

I also have Asp enabled on my web site but have yet to use it.

I am at that stage were my photographs are good and fast to load, my website is first in google but need to make my site more interactive if you know what I mean.

I have looked at many websites offering free scripts but carn't use some of them as my knowledge of Mysql is bad.

I would like to create an area for my advertisers so that they can see some graphs plus lastest news etc. So I need to have some sort of simple password system.

I may also introduce a forum.

Any ideas? :)

[jatar_k]

Firstly, I would say don't get out of control and impliment all of these at once.

Put a plan together or the whole thing could easily get out of control. Integrate one part at a time and make sure the bugs are ironed out before moving on. Especially if you are still learning.

As for learning mysql, there is mysql.com, you can get along with basic understanding of queries, creating tables, insert, update, delete and a few others. As you get a better understanding you can make more powerful queries and start exploiting the strengths of sql and cutting down your processing in your scripts.

I don't really use any free scripts myself so I wouldn't be able to recommend any great resources.

You can use a simple login form and pass it to a login script, by post probably, then from there you can do many different things.

You need to validate the user, obviously, and find a method for serving their data to tham with out them having access to anyone else's data. Sessions or cookies are both good methods.

[lasko]

Thanks for the input ;)

You are right that I need to plan more about what I would like to create and how far to go.

I feel that I should give something more to my advertisers, a place to go and read about what's happening, statistics and general help documents and tips etc. Once set up it should be easy to maintain and help keep my exisiting advertisers for the following year.

I would like more input from my advertisers regarding ideas etc on how to expand the web site and general E-mail does not really get much feedback.

:)

[anon1]

lasko,

Depending on the platform that your hosting on you might want to take a look at the cgi scripts for sale from cgiscript dot net.

I've implemented a few of their scripts for clients and they always work as expected. They are reasonably priced, support is good, and enhancements are usually made regularly.

They offer a couple of scripts that will password protect directories and allow access to groups. I've also used their one that works as a paid subscription service to allow people to buy access to protected areas. I got that one to work with the new PayPal Instant Payment Notification system so subscribers choose a level of service to sub to, are routed to a secure PayPal page, and by the time their payment goes through, the system has updated my system to allow them access for a specified amount of time.

I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer.

-Anon1

[lasko]

Sounds great ;)

Thanks for the tip