I use PHP as the programming language to develop the web apps with MySQL database. I started to look for different frameworks – but most use MVC and I don’t have time to learn it.

Some have suggested to do validation using MySQL. This helps a bit so I don’t have to write more PHP code to validate whether or not the record exists, foreign key constraints, etc. Plus it really is good practice to have these in place in the database layer.

Next I looked in to template engines to help with the layout of the site. It does help quite a bit but I’m still left with a lot of PHP code. I use Dreamweaver to write code and I used to use its automated code writing but I found it too messy and inefficient. Now I only use it because the FTP client is built in, has a file checkout system and in CS5 it can read included files so I have easy access to them. The error check is nice too. It catches many syntax errors right away. It can read used variables and be a part of the autocomplete feature.

I tried using existing systems like CMS or blogs (Joomla and WordPress). I figured I can create add-ons on top of an existing system. Joomla uses the MVC framework. WordPress on the other hand is easier to figure out how to build on top of it. Plus their documentation is really easy to follow. One of the limitations I found is the lack of access levels. Another is the pre-existing environment may not fit with a project since it’s so customized – better to be built from the ground up.

I’ve been peeking into the .NET framework off and on. I don’t primarily use Windows at all. I’m mostly on a Mac or using some sort of Linux flavor. I do have Windows7 running virtually on my MBP and iMac so I can play with it. I have played with Visual Studio and it felt easy to use plus it seemed to make developing quick. The drawbacks I’ve found are Windows hosting is more expensive than Linux hosting, IDEs are expensive and run mostly on Windows OS, and I don’t like creating online applications that can potentially only work with Internet Explorer (does not support web standards and only available on Windows OS).

Rails looks promising with the DRY (don’t repeat yourself) approach. I’ve tried to look into it and even bought some books and watched some screencasts. It’s a great language but I can’t seem to understand how to authenticate/authorize different users. They have many different plugins that I can use but each one uses their own way of doing it.

I guess I’ll keep looking. Either I’ll find time to learn MVC framework, get better at Rails, or someone will develop a new platform to speed up web development.

Here’s the code to connect to the server.

<?php

$conn = mssql_connect(‘my_server’, ‘db_username’, ‘db_password’);
if (!$conn) { die(‘ERROR: Unable to connect to the database.’); }
mssql_select_db(‘database_name’);

?>

Here is a helpful function I found that will help escape strings. I found this at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/574805/how-to-escape-strings-in-mssql-using-php.

<?php

function ms_escape_string($data) {
//if ( !isset($data) or empty($data) ) return ”;
if ( !isset($data) or empty($data) ) return “””;         // modified to handle empty $data
if ( is_numeric($data) ) return $data;

$non_displayables = array(
‘/%0[0-8bcef]/’, // url encoded 00-08, 11, 12, 14, 15
‘/%1[0-9a-f]/’, // url encoded 16-31
‘/[\x00-\x08]/’, // 00-08
‘/\x0b/’, // 11
‘/\x0c/’, // 12
‘/[\x0e-\x1f]/’ // 14-31
);
foreach ( $non_displayables as $regex )
$data = preg_replace( $regex, ”, $data );
$data = str_replace(“‘”, “””, $data );
//return $data;
return “‘”.$data.”‘”;        // modified to handle empty $data
}

?>

Here is a sample query to the database.

<?php

$id = ms_escape_string($_GET['id']);    // escape variable
$sql = ‘SELECT id FROM table_name WHERE id=’.$id.”;
$rs = mssql_query($sql);

if (!$rs)
{
echo ‘ERROR: Unable to get records. ‘.mssql_get_last_message();    // equivalent to mysql_error()
}else{
while ($row = mssql_fetch_assoc($rs))
{
echo ‘The id = ‘.$row['id'].’<br />’;
}
}

?>

Another thing I learned from the article is the equivalent of “mysql_insert_id()”. It is “SELECT @@IDENTITY”. To handle dates and make them friendly to PHP use CONVERT(VARCHAR, [date], 20). This will display it as if you are using date(‘Y-m-d H:i:s) – 24 hour format. So an example would be…

SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR, getdate(), 20) AS now

I tried to use PDO but was having a hard time getting it to work. I kept getting errors that had something to do with functions. I searched for solutions and tried them but none worked for me. Also, the rowCount() will always return less than or equal to 0.

I had trouble on both sides PHP and Microsoft. This seems to be the best solution that works for me. Hope it helps others.

Enjoy the video. I know a lot of old friends who are Laker fans will.

In your validation you probably have something like

rules: {
checkbox: { required: true },
radio: { required: true }
}

The element name no longer matches because in your form they are checkbox[] and radio[] while in your javascript they are checkbox and radio. To solve this, use quotes and add the []. So here’s a quick example.

<script type=”text/javascript”>
$(document).ready(function()
{
$(‘#form1′).validate({
rules: {
“checkbox[]“: { required: true },
“radio[]: { required: true }
}
});
});
</script>

<form id=”form1″>
<input name=”checkbox[]” type=”checkbox” value=”checkbox1″ /> checkbox 1
<input name=”checkbox[]” type=”checkbox” value=”checkbox2″ /> checkbox 2

<input name=”radio[]” type=”radio” value=”radio1″ checked=”checked” />radio  1
<input name=”radio[]” type=”radio” value=”radio2″ />radio  2
</form>

The radio button is an overkill since you normally have 1 checked by default unless you forget. The plugin is great so if you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend it.

Now I’ve been curious about Dreamweaver CS5. I’m currently using CS3 with Espresso. I rarely use Dreamweaver’s auto coding – it’s too bulky. I like coding by hand. Espresso is great for that and it’s lightweight and fast. It just doesn’t have the design view tab like Dreamweaver does. Adobe also has a student/teacher version of the software for only $150. I’m downloading a trial version now and will check it out. I’m curious about the CMS code “sniffer” that they have.

In OS X, there are hidden files that start with ._ which become visible when viewed in Windows. It’s usually not a problem. It becomes a problem when you are working with Joomla. If you download and unzip Joomla, then transfer the files to a Windows machine, you will get a ._ for each file and folder. This bad because in the Joomla system, there is an XML file for each components, modules, plugins, themes, etc that describes it. There is also a list of files in that XML file. You will probably get errors in the Joomla admin interface because of those ._ files.

Here’s the command to get rid of them in Windows. Open up your command prompt and enter the following command…

del /A:H /S /Q [location] ._*

The del command means delete. The A switch selects files based on an attribute. The H means hidden attribute. The S switch is used to search subdirectories within the [location]. The Q switch is quite mode and is optional. [location] is obvious so replace this with the path of where you want to do the deleting. Finally, the ._* means files that start with ._ and the * is a wildcard.

Make sure you check to make sure there are no files that begin with ._ that you need.

The Pastilles collection is hung with pretty pastel-coloured enamel charms. This key chain and bag charm also features an LV padlock and heart.

- Enamel and zamack
- Enamel charms with the LV logo and Monogram flower motifs
- Ring and snap hook engraved with the Louis Vuitton signature
- Part of the Pastilles collection

MSRP $475

*COPIED DESCRIPTION FROM LOUIS VUITTON WEBSITE

I love the colors and how it adds life to most of Louis Vuitton Purse, of course it is not nice to put it in a MC line since it will be over doing it IMO.

This was available until early 2009 if I am not mistaken. It also came in a different color such as azur and rose which are pretty too. So if you are buying it in second reseller just make sure that the design is intricate, detailed and made of high quality material. Both ends should have engraving “Louis Vuitton and Made in Italy”.  I have seen replica that has both encription but look carefully as the authentic one were engraved small. I think it was made that way to distinguish it and make it hard and expensive to be replicated. Well for that amount you will see the detail and craftsmanship of what you paid for.

I’m not sure when this was implemented. All of the articles I found online mentions plugins that had to be installed or creating a new page within the WordPress admin GUI then include a file, etc. I just need to create a custom PHP file that will display the header, sidebar, and footer.

Depending on the theme you are using will determine additional code between each section (header, sidebar, footer). So check out the page.php or index.php of the theme you are using to see how it is structured.

This gorgeous bag features a smooth, smoky and slouchy finish which looks like clouds hovering over Mount Olympus hence the name. It’s constructed from supple, buffed lambskin in a smoking beige color, perfect for summer. Lambskin ruffle trim at the top of the bag with very stylish polygonal resin attachments. Engraved Louis Vuitton nameplate on the front corner of the bag. Snap closure. Interior zip pocket. Very soft and luxurious suede-like lining. Dual handles are quilted and braided lambskin, very plump and comfortable to wear. It features tonal monogram LV embroidery throughout the bag which is very subtle unlike the regular monogram bags. Dimensions: 14″ L x 11″ H x 5″ D. Handles 24.5″L. $2700

This is one of my favorite purses so I am starting out with this one. Many of those who collects purses would want to know a little something or an insight of a fellow bag-aholic so I decided to create this blog.

Pros: very unique not that many knock-offs, soft material, comfortable on the shoulder, you’ll get lots of compliments

Cons: as with some of LV purses it is high maintenance it gets color transfer so you have to be careful with it, the shoulder strap sometimes drop when your carrying it

This one is a keeper some of my purses I sell when I don’t get to use them for quite a while but this one I wanted to keep since it is unique and exquisitely made.

I took a picture of what needs to be seen to guarantee authenticity if you are buying your stuff from a reseller since this is not available in LV anymore.

Share me your thoughts about this purse or any of your LV collection.

After I upgrade my work’s iMac, there were problems. I kept getting errors from my Symantec antivirus (I had to install it, work policy even though it isn’t necessary). I reinstalled it and it warned me to install Rosetta. I thought that would be the “aha” so I installed it. It looks like it fixed that problem, but now my Adobe CS3 apps crashes when I launch them. I Googled and it turns out there is an existing compatibility issue with CS3 and SL. It’s weird though since my MBP runs CS3 without a problem.

So now I got another external firewire hard drive. What I’m going to do is restore a backup that I made in Time Machine before upgrade onto an external hard drive. This way I can make sure that’s a clean copy before formatting and restoring it onto my iMac’s hard drive. This is why I love using Macs. When running into problems, I have several options to restore without losing data – as long as you back up data.

Once this is complete and I’m satisfied with the restored data, I will restore the backup onto the iMac. Then I’ll format the external drive and install a clean copy of SL and migrate my Leopard over to see if it’s SL or just my iMac configurations.