php [image]

[rhosk]

Just wondering if this works for all. I have an image/quote array in this and to see if it works, just refresh your browser and the items will change. I just think this is pretty neat. I have no idea where I'm going with this, but thought I'd share to get your ideas/feedback. Understand that this is an image (or IR wouldn't have let me post it I presume) and not a "print screen" type output.

Some entire websites are actually going to this. The [engines] can actually build images from scratch (haven't got that far yet - I'm using an actual basic image array). Once it renders, the image is destroyed. If you're using a different browser, I'd also like to know if it sees it according to the if statements. Again, just playing around

[Intrigued]

Works here!

Mind sharing the core code?

Sincerely,

[rhosk]

Good.

Yeah, let me smooth it up a bit, I've got variables all over the place and I'll tie some strings together to make it easier to edit. Give me a day or so.

[longedge]

I've found in the past that this type of 'feedback' very easily freaks people out Ron.

Time, date, weather, news tickers etc etc are all fine. People love little extras that do something unusual.

But as soon as you start saying, "I know who you are - I'm collecting information about you" even though you aren't, there's a lot of visitors you won't see for a cloud of dust and they won't be back again.

Just my twopennorth ( = 2 cents worth )

[rhosk]

Hmm touche, but it's probably true for about 90% of the websites on the Internet today. Have you checked your cookies lately?

This is merely a demo of what this particular feature can perform. I don't advocate [people] telling me they know who I am. Heck, IR probably knows more about me than I do ("Welcome, rhosk...You last visited, blah blah"). And well, I figured if I posted it here in the "Developers Den" section that it wouldn't be taken like that. And conversely, if someone is perusing this section of the forum, they probably know a little about scripting/code in general, don't you think? I don't think that my Grandmother would be in here looking around - but then again, ya' never know

I'm just trying to figure out what I can do with this stuff. Watermarking images would be one. You can apply shadows to the text, use different fonts, gradients, transparencies, etc. It could be as simple as - read a folder full of images, grab the array, and watermark every one of them "on the fly" (without writing on the original image whatsoever). The image viewer inside that beta test site does something similar. Uses php and GD and creates those thumbnails that you see "on the fly". Let me rephrase that - creates the thumbs, then saves them. It even has .gif support now (was phased out for a while because of the copyright issue). I just think that this is powerful stuff. Maybe the guys who maintain IR's websites wouldn't think so (they're probably php'd to death), but I think it's pretty neat.

Any more ideas out there?

[longedge]

I know exactly what it's like when you find some new functionality you want to explore it - I'm the world's worst for that and know exactly where you're coming from.

[Intrigued]

I have been looking through the..what 2,700+ PHP funtions?

The drawing functions are interesting to name a few. After I finish this HTML book I am going to head back to the PHP 5 book, between projects of course.

That's the cool thing with computers... so much... so little time... so dang interesting!

Sincerely,

[rhosk]

Exactly; to both of you!!

Hows come you two guys are the only one's interested in this stuff?

[Intrigued]

I suppose others are still pouring in lots of time into AMS. Myself, I know I spent just about every day for 10 months reading and testing script in AMS to the point where I feel confident (but still plenty to learn) enough to take on other computer scripting languages and what not.

Everyone travels at their own speed. Others here that probable view these forums, that are experts through and through with say PHP or AMS, may never post, being that they are the quiet type. Which is a real shame! I would love to pick up more ways to code in yet unknown ways or with interaction with say PHP, HTML!

[Corey]

PHP drawing is server instensive, not generally practical for commercial sites whereas Flash is all client side and has much more capability. You very, very rarely see any busy web site on the internet which uses PHP drawing, if ever. Two cents.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[Intrigued]

Ah! Good heads up note!

Thanks!

[Corey]

Don't get me wrong, VBulletin for example uses it to create thumbnails for attached images. But the key here is to use it sparingly, i.e. a typical user session should not make more than one image call to the PHP library. You can use PHP drawing OK and everything without killing your site but your server just has to push harder to get up the hills.

I'm all about client side these days. Javascript, Flash, and AMS. let the users computer do the work. For example I used to randomize the banners here with PHP but it's all javascript now, etc. Saves the server a few thousand small tasks per day and puts that load onto the viewer's CPU...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[rhosk]

Har, don't get me wrong either. I'm not about to create an entire website with this, just ain't gonna happen in my lifetime, LOL. I'm not a PHP'r by any means, I just love manipulating it and playing with it - and viewing the results which are amazing (to me). I'm definitely a Flasher as well. I mentioned earlier that I have a couple of other scripts that *create the thumbnails (same tech), but then, *saves them (instead of rendering all the time in the browser). There's "if statements" incorporated to see if they first exist, if so - do nothing. As I said in another post, the flash galleries are almost all using all three technologies. It's pretty neat when you can merge them all together and get them to play nice

PS, I've played a lot with JavaScript too, but more and more browsers/users handle it differently these days - and I got complaint after complaint that "they couldn't see/use the widget", so I don't use it as often anymore (not sure if 'includes' are the same or not). Depending on the user's security settings, you may not be advertising anything at all (or do you have backup static images?).

Late entry -- Are you sure you're not using php for the ads?

[Corey]

PHP to admin them but Javascript to serve them. Typically you don't spend hardly anytime doing admin work so... Yeah I love it when a good plan comes together myself, i.e. when you can integrate multiple technolohies seamlessly. I still get a rush from that. In terms of Javascript it's all a quotient of your end audience. It's going to be a long time before the large 90% majority of non IT web surfers start blocking Javascript as a matter of habit. The other ten percent know exactly what they're missing and how to let through what they want. I don't want to serve ads to anyone who isn't going to buy anything from them...

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software

[rhosk]

Originally Posted by Corey

PHP to admin them but Javascript to serve them.

Ahh, cool!

...I don't want to serve ads to anyone who isn't going to buy anything from them...

And a good point, got ya'!