phpAutoMembersArea

Version 2  README
phpAutoMembersArea © Copyright 2004 DWalker.co.uk
(transferred from Seiretto on 28th Oct 2004).
All rights reserved.

phpAutoMembersArea is designed to automatically create a members area, NO programming experience required.

Stay informed!  Check the forum regularly

Requirements:

Full details for phpAutoMembersArea can be found here:
http://www.dwalker.co.uk/phpautomembersarea/


To upgrade an existing installation from version 1.x to 2.x:
  1. Backup your existing files and database.
  2. Delete your existing ADMIN_FOLDER (folder name specified in your config.inc.php by default this is:  phpautomembersarea/_admin_/)
    You can retain your existing /members/ folder.
  3. Then unzip the files and upload to your server.

    ***When unzipping the archive ensure you do
    not have "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion" checked, you can check this from within the WinZip main menu:  Options|Configuration... then select the Miscellaneous tab

    You MUST upload the files and folders retaining the original names,
    i.e.  the folder structure must be:
            http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/
  4. You will need to rename the _admin_ folder to the name of your ADMIN_FOLDER as specified in your config.inc.php
  5. Additional constant required within the file config.inc.php, add the following php to this file:

           
    define('PAMA_FOLDER', 'phpautomembersarea');

    You can change this, and rename the phpautomembersarea folder accordingly.

  6. Then run upgrade-v1to2.php - this will create the additional tables required (pama_blocked_ranges and pama_blocked_ips).  This is quite safe to run as it will not remove any data or structures.
  7. NOTE changed urls: 
    • login page is now: 
               members/index.php  (login.html will still work but will not stop blocked IP addresses)
    • register/join page is now:
                members/join.php (join.html will still work but will not stop blocked IP addresses)
  8. NOTE the additional constants in file: /members/constants.inc.php - ensure you change to your preferences.
  9. Also note the improved and additional example files in the members/content/ folder.
  10. If you have completed all the above then all you need to do is use your system as before and benefit from the new features and the ability to register and remove the footers.

 


 

To complete a NEW installation:

  1. Unzip the files and upload to your server.

    ***When unzipping the archive ensure you do not have "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion" checked, you can check this from within the WinZip main menu:  Options|Configuration... then select the Miscellaneous tab

    You MUST upload the files and folders retaining the original names,

    i.e.  the folder structure must be:

             http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/

  2. Configure your installation here
  3. Add the join page to your web site - the page can be linked to from any existing page, or use
    <? include("http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/members/join.php"); ?> within one of your existing pages.  Ensure you update the link on the join.html page to point to your privacy policy page.
  4. Check the link on the login.html page, (members/) ensure it points to your terms page.  And ensure your terms include a similar statement as the following:

    In addition to data entered intentionally by the Customer [YOUR COMPANY] record the IP Number (Internet protocol address) of each new member.

  5. When configured new members can login at:  members/  
                (http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/members/)

    This url is specified in the activation email sent to new members.
    If you wish to rename the folder "phpautomembersarea" then you should also change the constant PAMA_FOLDER as specified in your config.inc.php

    Also, provided is a register/join page at: members/join.php

  6. NOTE: By default your installation is set to manual activation - where you as administrator must login to the admin area and activate new members.  To change the activation to automatic, login to the admin area and follow the link "Toggle auto activation".
  7. To add your CONTENT upload your html files to:  phpautomembersarea/members/content/
    You can remove all other files from that location with exception to the files:
    1. .htaccess
    2. _home.html

 


 

Installation - Possible Errors:

Unable to create config.inc.php file.

This is generally caused by the install routine unable to write to the phpautomembersarea folder.  To over come this error please complete the following (chmod of files and folders) before attempting a re-install.

How to chmod the phpautomembersarea folders and files

Once you have uploaded the folders and files of phpAutoMembersArea to your server you need to change the write access of those files and folders to allow the installation process to complete successfully.  For this task you can use your FTP program.  One of the most common FTP programs is WS_FTP (available from: ipswitch.com). 

For details on how to use WS_FTP to chmod your folders and files please read the following: http://support.ipswitch.com/kb/WS-19980825-JB01.htm

Before attempting a re-install set the "phpautomembersarea" folder read/write permissions as shown below:

When changed re-try the install

When the install is complete set the "phpautomembersarea" folder read/write permissions as shown below:

If this fails then you could try a manual install:

Manual install

  1. unzip the file: config.inc.zip
  2. then using notepad or your favourite PHP editor open the file:   config.inc.php
    and change:
    1. DBHOST
    2. DBUSER
    3. DBPASS
    4. DBNAME
    5. CO_NAME

    to your own details.  Then save the config.inc.php file in the folder: /phpautomembersarea/

  3. To add the required tables run:   manual_instal/install.html
  4. Then, so long as the above install has been run the application should load without error.  The urls are:

    Admin login page:
    http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/_admin_/

    Mambers login page:
    http://yourdomain/phpautomembersarea/

  5. Finally to improve security you should change the the admin folder name, see below.

Altering the admin folder location

This can be changed by altering the value assigned to ADMIN_FOLDER within the config.inc.php file.

The default value is:  _admin_

You can change this, and rename the _admin_ folder accordingly.


Footer and advert feed

The footer and adverts that appear at the base of each page can be removed if required by registering at:

http://www.dwalker.co.uk/register/?app_name=phpAutoMembersArea


Notes on install scripts

No need to delete these them once you have completed the install as all scripts check for existing installs before executing.

Future attempts to run them will not remove your successful installation without you first removing your PAMA_* tables from your database, or deleting the /phpautomembersarea/config.inc.php file.


FREEWARE:

DISCLAIMER
phpAutoMembersArea IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR ENDORSEMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF, THE RESULTS OF, OR PERFORMANCE OF THE INFORMATION, ITS APPROPRIATENESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CORRECTNESS.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE USE OF phpAutoMembersArea IS ASSUMED BY THE USER.  IN NO EVENT I BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL, RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT IN phpAutoMembersArea, EVEN IF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES HAS BEEN ADVISED.   THIS DISCLAIMER SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENT TO THE CONTRARY. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS YOU MUST CEASE AND DESIST USING phpAutoMembersArea IMMEDIATELY.