Christopher Hacia

PHP OS (Operating System) Detection

chris — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:34:31 +0000

Now a days with cross browser compatibility issues ranging outside of just Windows/PC as Mac’s and Linux become more user friendly and popular you get issues that aren’t necessarily the same thing cross OS’s now. Example something I do in chrome on my Windows PC works well, where on my MAC it fails. So what do I do? I spend either a lot of time making it work for both often losing functionality or I make two different versions one working for the need of each OS. How do I detect the OS? easy Ill show you in a second.
The other reason someone may want to have OS detection is cause they offer software for example. For all platforms. But to make the user experience more friendly they want to give the user the ability to download the software faster, without having to dig through a list of all operating systems for there match. This is a quick way to build a landing page based on OS as well.

PHP Random String Generator a-z 0-9 function

chris — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:29:21 +0000

Lets face it sometimes there’s just a need to have a random string for whatever purpose usually an initial password if you want to create a verification method for your site, usually a randomly generated password someone has to input first is a good means. Its one of the easier ones I know that. But whatever the case, its needed now and again. Most methods Ive come across however for this purpose don’t work well. One that I found recently via search actually broke more than it didn’t when I bench-marked it through a simple foreach loop. Which forced me to rewrite a part of it at which point the breaking didn’t occur so here it is.

function randomString($howbig)
	{
 
		$chars = "abcdefghijkmnopqrstuvwxyz023456789"; 
		srand((double)microtime()*1000000); 
		$i = 0; 
		$pass = ''; 
 
		while ($i <= $howbig)
		{ 
			$num = rand() % 33; 
			$tmp = substr($chars, $num, 1); 
			$pass = $pass . $tmp; 
			$i++; 
		} 
 
	return $pass; 
	}

PHP mail() with HTML output in a Simple to re-use function

chris — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:18:40 +0000

Ok, I could go into a long description here but I won’t I know most of you who are going to end up landing on this page are only here for one thing, and one thing only. Code. So Ill keep it short.. I know generally speaking searching for this concept is not the easiest task. I did a couple years ago cause I got sick of doing one of two things. First was just send plain text email to people through my sites. Or second manually open an email and format my email to look pretty that way. Both of which I didn’t like to do. Seeing as your here that tells me you have a similar logic to some extent at least. So with that I present an easy to re-use function that will conform PHP’s core mail() function into something you can use to send email that is formatted with HTML. Without having to go use some chunky over weight plugin or 3rd party service that will cost you an arm and a leg monthly to use.

The basis is. You build a string that is your formatted HTML for the body and template it accordingly with variables to use along side with your forms. So it can auto insert the name, email, whatever else have you into the message being sent. Then the mail gets sent. The function is also deviced to mimic the behavior of PHP’s mail() where its the same syntax as the function to call it.

Bare in mind this post is basically your gate way to the concept. Of which I may dive deeper into in another post one day. I may refine this function a bit in the future as I do have a couple ideas floating around recently to enhance it based on a need someone recently brought to my attention but again that’s another post for another day.

Now on to the code.


function mailSomeone($toWho, $fromWho, $sysSubj, $sysMsg)
	{
		$msgTemplate = '
		
		
		
		'</span><span style="color: #339933;">.</span><span style="color: #000088;">$sysSubj</span><span style="color: #339933;">.</span><span style="color: #0000ff;">'
		
		
		
		
		'.$sysMsg.'
		
		
		';
		$headers  = 'MIME-Version: 1.0' . "\r\n";
		$headers .= 'Content-type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1' . "\r\n";
		$headers .= 'Content-type: text/html; charset=us-ascii' . "\r\n";
		$headers .= 'From:' .$fromWho. "\r\n";
		$headers .= 'Reply-To: ' .$fromWho. "\r\n";
		$headers .= '1\r\nX-MSMail-Priority: High' . "\r\n";
		$headers .= 'X-Mailer: MonkeyTooth Productions Mail Controller v2.0' . "\r\n";
		mail($toWho, $sysSubj, $sysMsg, $headers);
	}
?>

Worth mentioning is $sysMsg This would be your HTML string essentially anything you would want between the body tags on a site would go in this string. However if you notice the whole $msgTemplate in the function you will notice it looks exactly like the typical source of a HTML page by itself, and it is. With that you can also apply style tags to the head like you would to a site.

Only thing to remember is if your including images whether it be through CSS styling or in the body. You have to give them the full URL from your site as any attached images in an email will not work, not to mention it makes the email bulkier in download size, and as a general rule of thumb although possible its not worth the mess you don’t typically attach files to emails coming from web based apps. You link to them from your server. So what I am generally saying with this is if your going to send nice looking emails through your own personalized template make an extra directory on your server and put the images or what ever have you in there so they will always be accessable to the web so when someone opens up the email there email isp/software can download the images in the viewer.

Note: Depending on how you form your email they can end up in spam boxes, it sucks I know, but theres no one way to prevent it from happening on all systems around the world each company has different filters and it just happens. If your email is ending up in spam boxes globally, maybe its time to reconsider what your saying and or doing with them. Its also worth checking to see if your HOST has been blacklisted as a lot of Shared hosting providers are.

Mattel Barbie: Hope (Cancer Awareness) Campaign

chris — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:42 +0000

This is interesting the other day I ranted about how toy companies, Mattel in specific for the particular post in question. Talking about how they amongst other toy companies don’t really cater to anyone outside the norm, and really people in the norm. I was in sorts ranting about how Mattel makes all these “fabulous” hard to reach renditions of how people should look and sell it to impressionable kids (There Barbie line to be more specific). Which was orignally sparked by a post a friend of mine made along the same lines on Facebook.. (Original post “Mattel Barbie: Hope (Cancer Awareness)“)

So here I am a a handful of days later and I am doing my normal routine of running down my friends daily posts, and posts by all my “liked” pages and I see.

Which I thought was awesome. What it is, is someone campaigning for the same concept, actually trying to get Mattel to make a Barbie character that is bald for children who endure things like chemo and end up losing there hair. In a sense making something that may actually help them coupe a little bit better with everything that is going on in their life’s a little bit more.

The page the shared facebook link goes to is: http://www.facebook.com/BeautifulandBaldBarbie for those who are curious and wish to follow up further, as I intend to follow myself. Well anyway found that interesting felt like sharing. I seriously hope some day companies like Mattel actually start doing things like this more and more. It isn’t fair to society as a whole to shine a beacon of light on only one way of being. Barbies in particular for several reason but that’s maybe more to rant on another day.

Hijack Prevention with Multiple Passwords

chris — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:06:34 +0000

In a previous post (Google 2-Step Verification) I mention that it may be a wise idea for you to have multiple passwords for all your various accounts on the internet. However I barely elaborated on why its a good idea. I know in general everyone here doesn’t want to fathom the idea of having multiple passwords across multiple accounts, in some cases its hard enough to remember the one you use let alone having multiples. The thoughts I’m sure ring to the tune of something like “I’m just going to forget which account has which password”. So like the mass majority of people self included in some cases the password I use for one place is the same in several others, although with me I am slowly as I think about it when I log into various services I am converting my passwords over to random, unique and different passwords per service.

So, why is it a good idea? Well the best answer is and likely the number one key answer is. If any of your given accounts anywhere get hijacked chances are that hijacker if they are savvy enough (and most are), they will go try all the most commonly used services such as facebook, twitter, google+, etc.. Or say your email account is hijacked, chances are you have sensitive data in your email stored for easy access from anywhere. Maybe a bank statement, or utility bill, whatever might have online access to work with them how bout PayPal? Thats a nice example, or how about eBay maybe? So now in theory a hijacker has your account info for one account, then they have a wealth of other info they find out by trying the above mentioned and similar services with the same combination of user/pass they hijacked the first account with. Chances are if your like the majority that combo will unlock almost everything with your name on it? Am I right?

Now there are other reasons but minor in comparison as to why its a great idea to have multiple passwords, for multiple accounts. With that you’re likely thinking I might be right now, but how do you manage what will likely be a 20+ different passwords across your daily habits and maybe another 20 else where. Well the easiest way is in my own opinion at least is LastPass. It has cross browser support, works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes in multiple flavors from stand alone app to integration into your favorite browser (except IE, but IE sucks and you shouldn’t be using it anyway if you want a good experience surfing the web, maybe Ill beat a dead horse and post about that another day as well).

Another thing I like about LastPass is that it has a random password generator quickly generate a random password, set it, and save it then basically forget it. LastPass works on any number of computers with an internet connection so your passwords basically come with you anywhere you go. By the way, LastPass is not sponsoring me to say this for any reason and I gain nothing from doing so, I just say it how it is, thats just how I am. There are plenty of other similar apps some that have been around much longer than LastPass but despite its age its just about the best app for the purpose I have found to date thus far. They also own another app FoxMarks which does basically the same thing for bookmarks in your browser as its counter part does for passwords allowing you to bring them with you anywhere you go as well.

How-to DIY: iPad/Tablet Holder from a DVD Case

chris — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:20:28 +0000

Why spend $20-$50 or more on device to prop you’re iPad or other similar tablet/device up hands free when you can achieve the same effect for $2 or less. Chances are you already have the materials lying around the house to make this stand as is. All you need is a DVD / Game case (example below), A length of ribbon (or yarn or string or even a shoe lace) I’d say 6 to 8 inches give or take should be suitable, a pair of scissors, and about 3 minutes of your time.

[video coming soon]

The original How-To DIY video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AEG6mcwvJrU (credit to chauppiLu)

<- example of the type of case you should use, you can pick them up at bestbuy, target, walmart and other similar stores pretty cheap (assuming you don’t have one already laying about from an old game or movie you lost/scratched where you said to yourself this may come in handy one day.

Mattel Barbie: Hope (Cancer Awareness)

chris — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:39:43 +0000

I was just skimming through my Facebook feed, when I see a post (likely a repost) that says:

“Mattel should make a Barbie with no hair, dress it in pink and call her Hope. So all the little girls fighting cancer can feel pretty. Where 99% of the proceeds go to St. Judes”

Which made me think Damn, that’s a good idea, it serves two purposes, one it raises awareness in small children without cancer on what cancer is, assuming parents aren’t outraged by the notion of what might otherwise be considered ugly and try to boycott the idea cause they are to close minded. The other purpose is plain as day and said in the quoted post from fb. Three purposes if Mattel actually did it and then followed it up with donations.

But who knows, I’m sure at Mattel HQ the idea has to have been tossed around at one point or another. But It’s likely to be a doomed concept due to those parents above mentioned. So if no money is to be made, why bother I’m sure is the logic to apply the axe to the idea stems from corporate greed. More money comes from making Barbie a super whore and telling children It’s ok to be a whore. Because parents support the idea that that’s pretty..

Personally I think Mattel should make Hope.. but I digress.. anyway felt like sharing a random point of view..

SOPA: Domain Transfer Counter

chris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:40:57 +0000

Well after reading through some more articles, comments, etc.. I noticed a comment from a facebook user Dan Lynn. Who said “Has anyone set up a counter for # of domains transferred away? Hard to prove, yes, but it would be cool to watch.” Which actually sparked my curiosity, and with that I know its not going to be official, and not everyone in the world will come here to stake there claim but it is funny to think how many will and just as equally I find it a curious thought. So with that I am set out to make that counter now.

I know for one I am about to move my 100+ domains out by the end of next week. How many have you moved or plan to move? Share with the world here.. Sorry this isn’t pretty if it actually takes off I will rebuild it.

I was initially starting to build it here within my blog, but I said, why bother to myself. You want to add your domain counts to the unofficial official count? check out http://www.sopastats.com

SOPA: Cancer of the Internet (Goodbye Godaddy)

chris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:24:30 +0000

Well after re-reading my last post (SOPA: Cancer of the Internet) and still keeping in mind the article I read prior that sparked that post (Cheezburger’s Ben Huh: If GoDaddy Supports SOPA, We’re Taking Our 1000+ Domains Elsewhere). I am starting to feel like I am going to Follow Ben Huh and move my 100+ domains off of Godaddy I think my oldest domain with Godaddy is about 12 years old, and despite currently not really doing much with my domains other than letting them collect dust. I am not one who is for SOPA, I mean if SOPA was more defined maybe. But not in its current standing. I am off to find a registrar that is against SOPA and has no inkling of accepting the notion.

If you have any suggestions I am all ears. List them in the comments, I will eventually compile a list of worth registrars, as I am going to have to do a lot of reading and research before I move my domains somewhere. Not only cause moving 100+ domains not easy more so the way I have them configured, but at the end of the day up til this point as far as domains go with Godaddy the service owns all in my opinion at least, Though I really can’t say the same for the rest of there would be services. What also doesn’t help godaddy’s cause is the plain simple fact that they are regularly upping there prices lately too but thats another point for another day (maybe).

SOPA: Cancer of the Internet

chris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:08:07 +0000

What is SOPA you ask? SOPA is an ancrony for “Stop Online Piracy Act” view a more in-depth definition at Wikipedia. Now while this in concept may not sound so bad, and may actually come across as a noble concept of trying to put an end to illegal distribution of copyrighted materials such as music, movies, software, books, basically anything that can be digitalized and copied in a not so legal fashion.

The cruel ugly fact remains that it will be forever possible. I don’t say this cause I support such activities but you have to put it into perspective. If there’s a will there’s a way, when one person or set of people put there mind to crossing that line and start producing illegal copies of all the above mentioned they will eventually do it. Fail safes are put into line to try and prevent everyday normal people from getting around obtaining things free. But those fails safes are built, if your clever enough you will find a way to hinder those methods. Its been a battle between companies and pirates of software for well over a decade.

Now here is where SOPA comes in. SOPA is more so or less a collection of big industry players such as the RIAA and MPA crying broke cause many people the world over download MP3s and Movies cause they can’t afford to pay 30 dollars to go see a movie or pay for those 15-30 songs they like so much. I think it was best said by the people over at MAFIAAFire (note this isn’t a politically correct document, they say it how they see it and how they feel about it).

Anywho the bottom line to this article is today on TechCrunch I read an article that made me realize SOPA is coming to fruition in particular with Godaddy, where I have my 100+ domains registered and have had them there for some years now. They are openly supporting SOPA. Which makes me want to jump ship with them after all these years of great service from them.

Now why am I saying that. I did mention this Act is the Cancer of the Internet after all. I say this because of the underlying factor that if you go and find the actual SOPA draft you will find there is very little control over the notion and just as much regulation of how this act is to be moderated. Basically if Company X decides that they don’t like what I have to say about a movie, or if I post a video of my son which happens to have a radio on in the background playing some song and Company X doesn’t like that the song is there they can issue a demand to just have my domain removed from my ownership and have my site shut down. Note how I mentioned barely any control or regulation towards how these requests are made. Basically what will happen is with out investigation and without much more than maybe an email I can allegedly contest but won’t get any reply from; A company can just say hey I don’t like this dispatch the request and likely within days my sites gone.

Another thing to think about is, what does this do to sites like youtube, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc? Are all of our accounts going to get deleted and the sites shut down because in all SOPA seeks to take freedom of speech away the internet? Oh no, you quoted a movie your account is now suspended. Think about it.

And now an interesting song/video I came across on the subject (NSFW: adult language)