Anyone have any experience configuring PhotoGallery to use a backend mySQL database?

The application connects successfully for Read operations, but no amount of troubleshooting can get it to Write records to the tables.

http://www.marc-lisa.com/photos/default.asp

UPDATE:  read whole thread..
Version has been delayed




These are my personal notes on the new version of ASP Photo Gallery that should be out sometime in May/June 2004. Please ingore any typos.

This version may be more expensive than the current pro version as this is a major re-write and there will be a ton of new features.

Regardless, special pricing will be offerered to existing users.

If you see any features not listed that you think would be nice please post them here. We will of course consider them.

ASP Photo Gallery Version 4

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------

Finished Improvements:

new setup page makes setting up the data connection easier than ever
it attempts to determine the possible data paths and makes suggestions for what to try
when you finally get the data connection working it gives you a link to the admin area of the application
so you can get started using the application

all database table names can be specified in the config_inc.asp file for advanced users that they may need
to change the table names in the database.. helpful for sql installation where one sql database must be
shared by many applications

new data folder is the only folder that needs permissions set
before multiple folders needed permissions
now everything can be put in this folder... database,logfiles,configuration files,picture upload folders...
eventually all cjwsoft applications will do this allowing multiple cjwsoft applications to use that same folder
therefore making it easier than ever to setup more applications without asking your host to set more permissions

new text based config file makes it easier to add new options to the program without making changes to
the database structure... therefore the need for the configuration table in the database has been eliminated
this also reduces system resources needed to load the config data for each page because it eliminates calls to the
database for config data

added voice effects for data connection page, intro users page, and settings page

made it so ratings color was an option (red or blue)

fixed minor bug that wasn't showing fixed category heights when that was selected and am image wasn't originally sized that way during initial upload

changed logfiles dates so they always show up in the proper order 09 vs 9

added config option to change bit query value to 1 or -1
default it to 1.... this is a technical thing

added the extra options currently in the config file to the settings page so people do not have to manually edit that
file any longer...

added new persits email option and authentication options to the settings page

added new CDOSYS emailing option

added support for dundas emailer

added support for ASPSMARTMAIL

fixed word filter so if it is empty it doesn't mess up
also make editing it part of the main settings

made email functions include file and edited all page that email to use it

added css/style sheet support and removed a lot of the old font tags

seperated the settings page into sections because it was too big and confusing

added ability for text watermarking when using the ASPImage component

made the picture upload error message no longer mention browsers that do not support picture uploading
as that is confusing people... and the problem is never that anymore

Made the ASPImage test page delete the bar graph before creating it so if it is already there they will
not think it is working

added crystal ball feature to admin users screen... shows additional user info when you hold the mouse over it

Made search function highlight search word in results.
Made the search function search the image description text files as well

Eliminated the guestbook directory as there was no need for the guestbook to be in it's own directory. This also simplified the menu.asp file as the guestbook section could be removed.

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------

Possible Improvements:

eventually make new and much better directions/documentation... html based for multiple reasons

Eliminate the need for parent paths to be enabled on the web server.
(THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE)
Many hosting companies disabled parent paths and will not enable them for their users.
On Windows 2003 Server Parent Paths are disabled by default.

make it so users ability to upload pics can be optionally disabled

possibly make some of the special functions in the extras folder built in to the admin area

Make the category picture uploader smarter because of the jpg gif issue when reuploading cat icons
A jpg loaded over a gif.. doesn't delete the old gif graphic and vice versa

Reduce number of ".asp" pages in general.

Use more functions for redundant tasks.

Optimize all instances of the old filefound function which is using more resources than are necessary

option.explicit the entire application and get all the variables dimmed once and for all

possibly incorporate the new category system I am working on which allows for unlimited categories and levels
also simplifies the heck out of the pages that call the categories

possibly add some cool image manipulation functions such as rotation for the various image components supported

possibly add the ability to move pictures around in an album. and maybe between albums
I must also remember to move the ratings and desc as well for that image.

possibly add the ability to make individual pictures require approval

possibly add the streaming image ability (asp page called from image tag) I came up with as an option for
people that can use it. this will better secure images in password protected albums and also possibly make
it so images can only be viewed from certain urls.. and maybe make an interface for a list of allowed urls

improve the .net support to also resize the larger images.. currently it does not

possibly add a feature to store 3 versions of images uploaded
thumbnail, medium res, and high res/original
this will appeal to professionals or people that may want to sell prints
storing a large version will be optional

possible support for multimedia content other than gif and jpg images

fix... url to link to..   problem on control pics page when both a jpg and a gif are present... which also relates to a another slight
bug that needs to be taken care of

make interface in admin to listen to installed midi files
and also to upload / delete them

possibly make per album guestbook... or call it something else like disussion or comments

add option to store the images orginal name in the images description area during upload
may be helpful to people that name their images in a somewhat descriptive way

change approval settings so they work on a per user basis
eliminate access levels from edit user screen and get rid of the level 4 stuff mentioned
possibly add a per user option for individual pic approval as well if I get that feature implemented

add support for the ibulc bulk upload client that I recently discovered
it is very cool

The stat not show when  impression over  xxxxxx

I use  aspbanner v8.1   MS SQL version

Total Impressions	83523
Total Clicks	7
Total Clickthru	.0%

Microsoft VBScript runtime error '800a0006'

Overflow: 'CInt'

/aspbanner/stats_window_admin.asp, line 257

Sorry about earlier post in wrong area-

I have followed instructions to set up access levels (adding the

<% CHECKFOR = "4" %>    for user level 4 for instance.) The database is connecting properly and the basic check for login is taking place, but it seems that all users have access to all levels no matter what is on the database; i.e I set up a test page with "checkfor=4" and all users have access to it, even those with lower leve access.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Ok i was wanting to know what the "if then" statement would be if i wanted to show xxx if your group is xxx.

I tried

    <% If Session("Groups") = "1" then%>
    <font size="2">TEXT HERE</font>
    <%end if%>

But that did not seem to work.

Actually, your whole site is like that.

http://www.bones.myftpsite.net/rfamilystuff/

You should definetly fix that..
I can't help ya with it though. You'll have to figure it out.

I know ya can do it...

later

sometimes those emails take a bit... all depend on wht you are using to send them and whether a pickup directory is involved

as for the other I do not know.. PM me the site details I can look

if it is a 2003 server parent paths must of course be enabled.. its a requirement of aspclassifieds

You would set the groups during users signup the same way you would do the expiration in the following example.

http://support.cjwsoft.com/code/moreinfo170-1.htm

The groups field need to be set the exact same way it would look like in the database of course

So, if a user was part of groups 1, and 2

You would look in the database and see this in the groups fields for that user

*1*,*2*

so in the signup code you set that like so

CmdAddUser.Fields("Groups") = "*1*,*2*"

This info only applies to resgitrations and signups using the "users" folder.
if you wanted to make different sceanrios you would need to carefully make a copy of the users folder and adjust it accordingly

Sorry, I guess you did say you finally found them.
Regardless, sorry then, I tried

I dont know what else to tell ya.. except to search www.aspin.com

Perhaps you will find something you can use there.

Not really sure how to do this.... i think you know what i am looking to do.. is there anyway you can show me or create that solution for me? It would prob. take you minutes as its been taking me hours

the sql databse is the same.. the sql script is the same for any version

as the site says they are essentially the same app with very minor changes... if you are trying to share the same sql database with both it's not gonna happen because the table names are the same

truthfully:
that app runs nealry as well with msaccess as it does with sql so I wouldnt get too excited about running it withe sql. You will not see any benefits unless you have a ton of simultaneus (sp) users.

Chris -

Sorry, I am looking at your code on view_item.asp and I have noticed that you are calling 3 variable; start_date, end_date, and image_url that do not exist in the databases that you provided.  Do I have the updated package for ASPVendor?

1st off, what application is this in reference too?
This question should be under that application's area in the forum.

2nd, really need more information and details. There are many ways and methods to send emails and they can all effect what gets delivered and what does not. All on an email server side of things. (I always recommend using the CDOSYS option using SMTP authentication with a real external email that has valid MX records) see my article...
http://www.powerasp.com/content/new/sending_email_cdosys.asp

3rd, your not telling me how many users we are talking about. ASP is not a very efficient way to send emails and extremely large amounts of users should be sent emails in a different way then from an asp application. It is just the nature of the technology being used. Some of different emailing methods the application supports may or may not give you better results. It is really best to experiment though honestly the option I mentioned above is always the best in my experience.

4th, if you are not getting a timeout or a scripting error than the ASP part of things is making it through the amount of users. You have to remember that often time emails that get sent out from web sites end up in junk filters for whatever reason. That is just another fact and why it it is usually best to send out serious newletters using a stand alone application like WorldCast or something.

I am doing a lot of guessing here because you really did not tell me much. I also still am not sure what application this is in reference to as 3 of my apps have newsletter features of sorts.

--------------------------------------------
(( TRY THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK !!))
--------------------------------------------

2004-08-19_122127_ASPBanner_V7.3_code_banner_encode_decode_m od.zip

This is an Expirmental MOD for ASPBanner Version 7.3 Only
Do not use it on other versions....

It encodes CODE Banner information before saving it into the application variables that handle banner rotation. It then decodes that information before displaying them on your web pages.

The reason for this is SOME very complex javascript does not always save correctly into the application variables that rotate banners (even when not using the JavaScript Method to display the banners)

This way the javascript or whatever you entered comes out on your web page exactly as you entered it and runs correctly.. but there is little more processing going on to handle the encoding and decoding. But its probably nothing to worry about and won't effect performance at all.

Unless your having a problem don't use this mod. It is not officially supported in any way.

-- DIRECTIONS --

( COPY THESE FILES INTO YOUR ASPBANNER DIRECTORY AND BACK UP ALL THE FILES THAT YOU WILL BE REPLACING ))
(( SO YOU CAN REVERT BACK IF THERE IS TROUBLE ))

If you are wondering if the "appinfo_inc.asp" included has the weight banner bug fix applied to it already. That is a bug mentioned in our forums

ALSO:

(( YOU CAN NOT USE THE INCLUDE METHODS OF CALLING BANNERS WITH THIS CODE ))

(( YOU CAN NOT USE THE JAVASCRIPT METHOD OF CALLING BANNERS WITH THIS CODE ))

(( USE ONE OF THE OTHER METHODS ))

the reason being is because when I do installs I do not touch any of your existing content. I only install the base application and make sure everything in it working correctly and also that the example protected pages are working. I do not integrate it with your existing site or edit any of your existing web content. That is up to you

sorry about that, but it would be way too time consuming and editing people's existing pages is a good way to cause a lot of headaches for me and the customer if something goes wrong. Not only that but everyone uses the system differently and it wouldnt make sense for me to be the one doing that based on access levels, groups.. etc etc  which will all be custom to how you want things set up.

more on installation policies here.
http://www.cjwsoft.com/installation_service.asp

Hi. Chris.  I'm not a programmer of any sorts, so I am not comfortable plugging in the changes you suggested and not knowing for sure if it will "break something somewhere else".  If the programmer tells me "you have been warned", its a pretty good sign its a no win situation. If you don't know, theres no way i can know.

I saw in the code where you mentioned the changes. I don't see where it mentions the last name is required either, but the bottom line is it does require it it the actual new user form.

Thanks anyway Chris. I'll figure something out.

-john

There is nothing built in to the system but it is very doable.
However, you need to be a decent asp coder because your going to have to write some code.

Basically you would want to do a check on the screen where a user uploads to count how many pictures they have uploaded.

Then act accordinly and either let them or dont let them proceed.

On a side note the overall filesize limit of the total of all pictures a user can upload can be set when you edit a user.

Just to let you know that i figured out my problem. I had to modify the connection in the email code and get the correct path from my provider.

I hope you enjoyed your vacation.

Thank you
Adam

I don't believe that the iframe method is supported in a .NET (aspx) implementation, is it?

JDooley

I disagree...

It would be 20 hours + of conversion and testing. Maybe more.

Like I said, I converted a version fo ASPBanner once to work with MYSQL. It took forever to change all the code (2 weeks of messing around) and get it working. There were also a lot of issues with null values in the database, ado update code that had to be rewritten, cursor type issues, recordcounts not working, etc etc that had to be sorted out. There was a ton of situations where things seemed to be working but later on I noticed there were minor bugs to deal with. It was a lot of work.

ASP Photo Gallery has a ton of asp pages. It is a much larger app then ASPBanner. If you convert it to work with mysql I highly doubt you could have it running well with less than 20+ hours of work. I wrote the app and it would at least take me that long and there would still be bugs at that point.

If you think you could your not used to my style of coding and don't realize exactly how much stuff needs to be rewritten.

Granted, you could get some of the basics running off mysql in a few hours or less but there is just so much little stuff that would give you trouble.

The only other thing I can think of if you are not getting any errors.

Is that you may have the path to the server include file correct but ASP server side code is not executing in that part of your web site.

You can do a simple test to tell if it is...

Make a simple ".asp" page in the same folder.

Put only this code in it.

<% Response.Write ("ASP is executing") %>

then run the page via the web browser thru the server..

If the text prints out ASP is running... if you don't see anything it is not

There was nothing wrong with the server configuration. It turned out that the problem was that I disabled the email notification of new user registrations that I continually receive. That appears to disable the authorization email to new users as well.

One other issue. It appears that AOL email addressee's are not getting the authorization email. Does AOL have any blocks to CDONT generated emails?

Ok, I was not aware of this domain controller issue as I have never had a customer have their web server set up that way. It is not a common situation under commercial hosting, thats for sure.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;3151 58

seems it was some sort of bug that was corrected in the the 1.1 .NET framework involving no ASPNET account being created. seems there are lots of work arounds involving making new accounts and editing machine config files. I found quite a few google articles as well.

http://www.kbalertz.com/kb_315158.aspx

http://www.15seconds.com/issue/030115.htm

I actually should have said "the framework installed" not "asp.net"

So, in the meantime I am asking John Evans what he thinks about this and I am going to ask you what version of the framework you have installed ? ASP.NET Framework 2.0 is the newest and you definetely should be running at least version 1.1 and probably should upgrade to 2.0.

I do not know why other ASP.NET code you have works ok. Your other code may not be using the odbc driver dll the same way ASPProtect.NET does. There are lots of possible reasons. At the end of the day I think the basic issue here is still a low level configuration/permissions issue and it can be corrected from what I am reading. It just may require a bit of trial and error regarding local and domain accounts and editing the machine config files... etc etc

Is there a way to upload photos to individual user directories? I don't want all the picture files in a single directory.

Thanks,

Steve

Thanks for the quick reply!

I was thinking it was an ASP config/install issue.

I usually deal with Linux/PHP, so this is all new to me :)

Sounds great, Sold!

Thanks Christopher!