WebDev Masters

Many times your site needs images to be uploaded, maybe for display with submitted content, then you have to make sure that the images displayed should be of a suitable size. If a user uploads a particularly large image, it may destroy the layout of the page when it is displayed.

Thumbnail images guarantee you that the images displayed will never exceed certain height and width values. Creating a basic thumbnail is a five-stage process:

1. Load the source image into a PHP variable.

2. Determine the height and width of the original image.

3. Create a blank thumbnail image of the correct size.

4. Copy the original image to the blank thumbnail.

5. Display the thumbnail using the correct content type.

EXAMPLE: Suppose we have to create a thumbnail from a photo in JPEG format. First of all, we specify the path to the source image as well as our desired width and height in pixels:

$sourceImage = ‘SAMPLE_IMAGES/scenery.jpg’;
$thumbWidth = 200;
$thumbHeight = 200;

Next, we use imagecreatefromjpeg to load an image from the file system into a PHP variable:$original. The getimagesize function returns the width and height of the image.

$original = imagecreatefromjpeg($sourceImage);
$dims = getimagesize($sourceImage);

Then we use the imagecreatetruecolor function to create a blank image into which the thumbnail image will be placed: $thumb = imagecreatetruecolor($thumbWidth,$thumbHeight);

There should be a code for the point at which the thumbnail image is actually created from the original:

imagecopyresampled( $thumb, $original, 0, 0, 0, 0, $thumbWidth, $thumbHeight, $dims[0], $dims[1] );

At last, after we have sent the correct content type header, we’ll use imagejpeg to output the completed thumbnail:

header( “Content-type: image/jpeg” );
imagejpeg( $thumb );

To succeed remain interactive

The modern internet marketing is largely dependent on the dynamics of interactive websites. And a result oriented web hosting service provider like Frontier Power hosting sees to it that you have all the technologies at your disposal to keep your site interactive.

Those unaware of the value of quality web hosting service often end up in searching for various types of scripts and plug in contents to keep their site interactive. But what happens when you decide to take the service from a top grade web hosting service provider as Frontier Power hosting? Well, you get some amazing scripts preloaded in your account which can be accessed by simply clicking your mouse button in your Web control panel.

In addition to e-mail or other e-commerce scripts, you also get a number of content management scripts and PHP-Nuke is the part of this content development process.

How PHP-Nuke influences the content management system?

Originally started as a fork of the Thatware news portal system, PHP-Nuke soon went to become the number one web based automated news publishing and content management system.

So how does it help us the web hosting service providers?

• This Web Portal System or content management system allows a webmaster to create a community-based portal along with an automated web site.

• The entire system makes it possible both for the users as well as the editors to post contents.

• It also provides comments system that is accessed by the users to post their comments.

To inject more dynamism to your website

The PHP-Nuke system is armed with core modules such as News, FAQ and Private Messaging.

• But a versatile web host like Frontier Power hosting would not rest with that. An efficient web host would use the software for providing their customers with additional services.

• Other modules may be attached to the PHP-Nuke system that enables a webmaster to add more interesting features such as an Internet forum or calendar.

• Want to create an interactive website in language other than English? No problem—The PHP- Nuke supports other languages, including French, Portuguese, Thai and Turkish in addition to English.

• Want a unique look and feel for your website? The PHP-Nuke will allow you to do that too; the themes system helps it customize the cosmetic aspects though to some extent.

How it works?

Based on PHP and MySQL, the Nuke is maintained by administrators using the web-based administration section and controlled using a web-based user interface. That means, the web host must provide with a web server which supports the PHP extension, as well as an SQL database such as MySQL, mSQL, PostgreSQL, ODBC, Adabas, Sybase or InterBase.

If you are contemplating huge online success on the strength of your content rich web-community, the only thing you are away from is: the right web- host to host your site. Trust on Frontier Power hosting for powering your online community—let all your expectations exceed when PHP-Nuke software and Frontier Power hosting join their hands together.

Most people tend to give up and pack their bags as soon as they hear the word “programming” and “technical”. They think it`s too much of a hassle to actually learn a whole computer “language”. HTML, the most basic computer language in building websites, is actually pretty simple to understand, as long as we have the interest in learning new things.

What is HTML?

HTML is the acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language. For learning purposes, just think of it as a language that the computer understands. For example, as humans, we were taught different languages; i.e. HTML as a language, is mostly and specifically used to create a website. The web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, will then decipher and interpret the code or rather, language(HTML), and display it in a way we can understand it, just like in a basic webpage.

Coding.

Coding the HTML language might be a bit tough for some people, so we can actually purchase programmes, such as Macromedia Dreamweaver, or even Microsoft Frontpage. These programmes are solely created to help individuals in designing professional webpages/websites.

Furthermore, one could also gain access to online web-builders, website builders that are inbuilt and can be directly controlled from the net. There are many different and specific builders online.

Books and magazines contain guides that can help in offering tutorials and ways to put up our own websites. Even online tutorials are credible, as in the modern world, information technology is the best and most cost efficient way in retaining knowledge, especially in this particular field.

So, you could start and build one right away. If you enjoy coding, it might even become a favourable past-time.

I’ll tell you something straight up. I’ve used Kompozer, a free html editor that I’m sure you know, to build myself some nice little websites that, without fail, sell a bunch of my products every month. And the funny thing is that I’m no expert whatsoever with using html, which means you can easily do a similar thing! This article will show you how to get started…

The first thing you need to know is that I started from the basics, and the second is that a website doesn’t have to be a beautiful work of art in order to make sales. As long as it gives the viewer what the viewer needs then you’re starting on the right foot.

Okay, now let’s talk about the basics, because you really DO need to know this stuff. It’ll just make your life easier. I never set out to be a html expert, or coder, or whatever you call it, but I’m glad I learned the basics. That means I can now create a really simple website in Kompozer and edit it myself, without having to get someone in to do it. And that saves a LOT of time, believe me.

So what are the basics then? Well, let’s keep things real simple. The basics are just knowing how to make a website page look alive and easy on the eyes. You don’t need to know much, but you’ll want to understand how to do these things… make text bold, italic, bring in images, make links work, make simple tables, keep stuff lined up and centered, know how headlines work, and the rest you can learn as you go.

If that all sounds like too much hard work then there’s a few things that might help. Firstly, remember that all things are hard before they’re easy, and secondly there’s hundreds of really helpful html know-how websites around the place that’ll show you exactly how to do what we just talked about.

But probably the best way though is to open Kompozer and just start playing around with some sample website templates, and see what happens. That’s what I did, and what I still do… Look ‘under the hood’ to see how it’s done, and learn from that. If you want to create profitable websites then that’s your first step – know the basics.

PHP is an open sourced server side scripting language and almost used in foremost operating systems like Linux, UNIX and also in Windows. PHP follows object oriented programming (OOPs), practical programming rules and nearly a combination of them. It uses command line interface, desktop applications thus it is know as the best traditional server side scripting language.

PHP programming supports most of the reputed database connections like Oracle, SQL, My SQL, and ODBC thus it is an easy choice for freelance programmers to build their dynamic pages with the help of PHP development. The latest version is also popular because it can be embedded HTML coding directly and can be carried by nearly all of the web servers.

PHP is a popular language because of its numerous features infused specifically to design websites or you can say to develop dynamic pages. PHP engine and the PHP coding can be used in every platform that increases flexibility of PHP language. Basically PHP is profitable for both programmers and designers, programmers who realizing its flexibility and tempo and web designers who worth its handiness and user-friendliness.

PHP language can develop giant business services like CRM solutions, community sites, chatting forums and E-Commerce shopping cart as well. Several pools of qualified web programmers are using PHP development for organizing their goal, resource planning and fulfilling their client requirements.

Here are some few things which you can perform with PHP:

• Design HTML web forms.

• Superb Database usability to store records.

• Calculate visitors by sessions and cookies.

• You can use arrays as well.

• Play with files through file management system.

• Creating XML for large number of product list on E-Commerce

Serialization

Serialization is not needed for all kind of databases. In some particular databases like ODBC, MS SQL etc when you wish to pass a value without mentioning its type, it gets dumb. This problem is solved properly in the latest version of PHP. This is also an added advantage of PHP over all king of scripting languages.

Using PHP to Improve Design your website

PHP has many capabilities features designed specifically for use in Web sites, including the following:

1. Securing Your Website: PHP is designed to allow user level access to the file system, it’s entirely possible to write a PHP script that will allow you to read system files such as password, modify your Ethernet connections, etc. thus this can provide a customer with an exclusive membership in the business.

2. Working with Web Forms: HTML form can be displayed by PHP and it is the best way to know more about the requirements of your customers and to gather note about their detailed benefits.

3. Communicate with Your Databases: When a persistent connection is requested, PHP checks if there’s already an identical persistent connection and if it exists, it uses it. If it does not exist, it creates the link.

4. Customer Loyalty Functions: PHP allows content and applications to be generated and run server-side. This is highly advantageous to web users as they do not have to rely on their own system resources to generate or run content on their own systems. This allows for faster delivery of applications to the user and reduces errors and problems due to browser incompatibilities.

Web page menu header or navigation bars are essential parts of website design. In the past most people use Javascript to create pull-down menus. It would take considerable amount of java scripting for web designer to get the right design and right options on the navigation menu, and incompatibility problems arise often between different web browsers and Javascript versions.

Because of the popularity of Flash, more and more websites are using flash menu to replace javascript menu systems. Flash menus provide better browser compatibility — as flash web menu appears and works the same in all browser and operating system conform to the Adobe Flash standard. Base on Adobe’s website information, over 98% of web users now have flash installed with their browser.

A main attracting factor of your website is the website’s appearance and design. Javascript language does not support high quality graphics or animations. In contrast, flash menu is often visually Rich, and comes with high quality graphics and animated effects, which make using a flash header and navigation menu bar much more attractive than a static Javascript menu. In additional, Javascript is disabled by many users for security reasons and popup blocking. For these users, Javascript menus will simply become invisible and leave a big blank area on your website — which gives your visitors a very poor impression about your website.

Another main advantage of flash menu is its easy maintenance. Most flash menu stores its settings in a single SWF file, changes to site navigation are very easy. Just upload the new file to your site and refresh are instant. If you use Javascript menu, as the javascript code is repeated to all pages, you would need to edit all pages.

To create a flash menu, you can do it in 2 ways. You can either program it yourself using Adobe Flash software plus actionScript — which require techniques such as timeline control, frame labels, use of button event handlers, and animation skills.

To create flash menu the easy way, you can consider to use a flash menu building software. Most flash menu builder software provide a wizard and easy steps to make flash menu, you can simply choose a ready made design from a collection of flash menu templates, and then fill your menu captions, links, and define sub-menus.

A flash menu creator makes it easy for beginners and starters to build a flash menu navigation bar in minutes with just few mouse clicks. Even highly skilled webmasters might find the flash menu software a great time saver for creating flash dropdown menus.

OK So you’ve decided it’s time to send an HTML newsletter to your email list but you’re not quite sure where to start? No Problem, we’ve all been there. I tried and tested many times before I created my first successful html newsletter.

Creating an HTML Newsletter is very similar to creating a webpage, with some minor twists on the old rules.

Now if you already know how to create a webpage then you won’t have any problems. But if you’re not sure, then you can always use a WYSIWYG – What You See Is What You Get HTML editors such as Microsoft Frontpage or Adobe Dreamweaver. Or you can skip all those steps and just download a newsletter template, and add your text.

The only real difference between a newsletter and a regular webpage is how it’s designed and how its sent.

Let’s Get Started.

1) Remove everything before the open (body) tag, and everything after the close (/body) tag. Then get rid of the body tags themselves. There should be (html) tag, (head) tag, (title) tag, (metatags), and no css stylesheets. The only remaining html code will be what you originally found BETWEEN your open (body) (/body) and close body tags – Tables, images, text, links etx.

2) No more javascripts – Email providers don’t allow javascript in their email and they will disable it. So if you have any javascript within your newsletter then get rid of it.

3) No Flash, No DHTML, No Web Forms – Most if not all of time they will not work so your newsletter will be better off if you don’t include them.

4) No more ads – Actually you can have ads, but just not the popular Google Adsense Ads. Google’s Adsense uses javascript and javascript won’t work in the newsletter. You can however find link exchanges, or other advertisers that use plain links for their ads, and include those in your newsletter. These ads, banners, and text links will work just fine.

5) No More CSS – Often designers will use CSS for a webpage’s layout, but in the case of an html newsletter it would be better to use tables, instead of writing lines and lines of inline css code. You can set padding, background color, and lots of other table properties, just as you can with CSS. Remember keep it simple.

6) If you must use CSS then get inline – Since you can’t import style sheets to style and format your html content you will need to use inline CSS which includes all of the css properties in line. EX: style=”background: white; color: black;”

7) Images – When adding images on a webpage we would normally use urls such as image1.jpg, but with a newsletter you’ll have to enter the complete or the absolute url.

Tip: Make sure to set your images’ border to 0 so that it will show up seamlessly inside your newsletter.

The first link in the email should be a link to the online version of your html newsletter. Even if you have option for html or text newsletter, it’s a good idea to include a link to your online version at the top of the newsletter.

9) Include an unsubscribe / remove me link at the end of your email, and text for compliance with canspam laws. If you don’t have an unsubscribe button then your newsletter could be seen as spam and you don’t want your subscribers thinking they have no way to unsubscribe. If you have more then one newsletter then include a link such as Manage my subscription or a link that takes them directly to their online account. Placing this link will allow your users access to their account and allow them to manage their subscriptions. Who knows maybe they’ll subscribe to more newsletters.

10) Test, test, and retest on major email providers (Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail). You may notice that with that the new MSN Windows Live Mail Beta the text in your newsletters will be centered. Don’t rely on defaults to left align your text, use the left align button on your editor to align them when needed.

During my previous newsletter tests some of the special characters in my newsletter rendered oddly in Yahoo, so make sure to find the character codes for those special characters, and then paste them directly into your html.

For ex: this ‘ apostrophe will turn into ‘ This will allow the text to display properly. For more character codes scroll all the way down or google “Special Character Codes”

11) Before you send your email make sure to set the email’s content-type as HTML, so that it can display as an Html newsletter, or it will just show up as plain HTML code.

12) Get Online – Before you get started make sure to upload those pictures and your original HTML newsletter to your hosting account so that your subscribers can visit your newsletter online.

That’s it. Happy HTML emailing!

Easily Create .CHM Files

Easily Create .CHM Files

Introduction to HTML Help CHM format

Nowadays, HTML Help CHM is the standard help format used in most modern Windows applications. An HTML Help system is completely stand-alone and can be distributed as a single file (for example, “My_Help_File.CHM”). Thus, a CHM file is practically a kind of the portable formats for technical documentation, which can be opened on all Windows PCs since Windows 98. Thus, any Windows user will be able to open such a file under Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and the latest Vista operating system as well.

An HTML Help CHM file includes all the features to provide the end-user with easily navigated tutorial. Everybody of us is probably familiar with the HTML Help viewer, which has the Table of Contents, alphabetical Index, and the Search feature, located on the navigation pane to the left side from the help topic text.

How do I create CHM HTML Help Files?

In fact, there are various tools in the marketplace from primitive applications to complex and expensive systems for writing technical documentation that support HTML Help as an output format. However, the common problem of that software is their non-intuitive and sluggish interface, complexity, and high price of about $999 per license or even more! Moreover, you will have to spend a lot of time on learning the tool before can create even a simple CHM file for your software product. Now you may be asking if there is another solution to make the process of creating CHM help an easier way. Fortunately, the answer is “yes”.

HelpSmith has an alternative vision of creating CHM Help. If you download and try HelpSmith available on the vendor’s web site, you will be surprised by its straightforward and easy-to-use user interface. There’s actually NO learning curve like in many other help authoring products making you spend hours to figure out how to add new help topic. Once you have installed HelpSmith on your computer, you can type “Hello, World”, click a button and here is it – your first help file in the HTML Help format. Then you can easily add new help topics, create hyperlinks, help windows, insert graphical files and everything the HTML Help system allows you to do; the process of working is actually as simple as working with Microsoft Office applications.

Creating CHM Files with HelpSmith

HelpSmith allows you to easily create CHM HTML Help files. Based upon the WYSIWYG (“What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get”) principle, HelpSmith provides you with a powerful text editor making the biggest part of working on a help system – writing and editing help topics – a pleasure to do. Use graphical images, insert full-featured tables, create hyperlinks, finally, and check spelling as you type just like in Microsoft Word. Also, you will be able to create the Table of Contents and the keyword Index for your CHM help system just in several minutes. Among other important HelpSmith features are the abilities to create Web Help and printed documentation from the same source help project.

Microsoft HHC.EXE compiler

CHM is not an open file format. So how do third party products allow you to create it? Like other help authoring tools, HelpSmith uses the HHC.EXE help compiler to create CHM Files from the source project. The HHC.EXE HTML Help compiler is freely available with the Microsoft HTML Help Workshop package which can be downloaded from the product’s home page. Once HTML Help Workshop is installed, you should follow these simple steps to link HHC.EXE with HelpSmith:

Choose “Options\Tools” from the menu.
Select “General\Compilers” on the left sidebar.
Specify the full path to the “HHC.EXE” file on your computer (for example, “c:\Program Files\HTML Help Workshop\HHC.exe”).
Click the OK button to save the changed parameters.

The compiler is installed, the process of working with HHC.EXE is completely transparent to you, making it a breeze to create CHM HTML Help documentation.