Anti-spam check problems

[Scott]

Script URL: http://www.janeandscott101.com/guestbook/gbook.php
Version of script: 1.33
Version of PHP: 4.3.11
Hosting company: Yahoo
Have you searched THIS FORUM for your problem: Yes, but wasn't clear on the answer.
(if not please do before posting)
If so, what terms did you try: Spam, Anti-spam check, Automated submission

Write your message below:

I am extremely pleased with this script. I'm finding it pretty manipulate which is great since I am new to this and that is saying something. I just have one small problem.

When I get to the anti-spam check page and I enter the code it just gives me another code to enter and never gets past that page. I can't add my comments. If I turn it off it works but I do want the anti-spam feature. I really like that feature of your script because I have seen some pretty ugly stuff done by guestbook spammers.

I am current hosting my guestbook on a different server (yahoo) from the rest of my website (godaddy) because they don't allow you to have write privileges for .php. I don't know if there is an issue with yahoo's servers. I am going to be moving from godaddy but I haven't decided where if there is a known issue with yahoo then they are out too. That's how much I like this script I will choose my server by which one can run it properly. Can you make a suggestion or at least tell me what to look for when choosing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I included this link to the server's php info. I hope I've given you enough information to assist.

http://www.janeandscott101.com/info.php

[Klemen]

Not that's how a questions should be formed - with all the info and you also included phpinfo!

As per your problems I think the reason might be the operating system - freeBSD. I remember somebody had the same problem and was also on a FreeBSD server. I can't be sure though as I never had the chance to test any of my scripts on such a server.

From the phpinfo I see you have sessions enabled, but try this file just to be sure:
http://www.phpjunkyard.com/extras/session_test.zip

I have just edited that Zip archive a bit, there should be two files inside. Upload then open session_test.php in your browser, click the link displayed and the result page should say
$_SESSION['test'] is set to: TRUE

If it says
$_SESSION['test'] is set to: FALSE
then there are some problems with sessions on the server.

Please check that and let me know what is says.

Regards

[Scott]

Thanks for the speedy response. I uploaded the session .php and I did get $_SESSION['test'] is set to: FALSE.

I'm guessing I probably need to find another server any suggestions on what things I should look for in a potential server?

Also, I know this is off topic, but I have seen some amazing things done with your gbook script, like the FruitBeard site. Any suggestions as to where I can get a little more information about customizing?

[Klemen]

Hi,

Since you got the "FALSE" test then there is something wrong with session handling on your server. Unfortunately I have no idea what could be wrong, I'm not a server guy and I have zero expereince with FreeBSD. I suggest you find a Linux server with PHP support. Just make sure they have PHP 4.3.x with all the standard features (sessions enabled, mail() enabled). Some links are here:
http://www.phpjunkyard.com/hosting.php

You can also visit places like www.webhostingtalk.com for info on hosting companies.

As for customizing you will find some info in this forum, check also MBoard forum it uses the same header/footer principe. If you want to do something like FruitBeard (yea, it's a great modification) you will need to know HTML and PHP well as he was editing the PHP files as well.

Regards

[Scott]

Thanks so much for your help. I'll keep those things in mind when looking for a new hosting service. I'm getting pretty good at HTML so hopefully I'll be making a great site like some of the ones I've seen.

[volito]

New here but was having same problem on WIN2K, IIS and PHP 5.05.
I ran the test files above and it came back false. Which lead to sessions problem but was actually NTFS on PHP folder holding session data so I gave iusr write permissions and spam protection worked.

Just figure I post my situation "I know troubleshooting is a killer" maybe it can save someone time

[Klemen]

Thanks for sharing! Much appreciated, especially because the site owner is such a noob when it comes to Windows servers