Counting hits and access to web

[EllenG]

I have FM Developer 6 installed on our web server. My web pages (CDML & HTML)are in the "web" folder and I have my online database in another folder.

The main page is a search page. After results are displayed, a specific record can be selected which then retrieves/displays the detail page for 1 record.

URL to search page: http://www.herdease.net:591/FMPro?-db=Co...h.htm&-view

I have a few questions:

1. What is the 10 IP limitation (is that simultaneous access?), and how can I expand that?

2. Can I create a field in the database, (ie. "Hits"), that can be automatically updated/incremented when that detail record is displayed (selected from search?) Where/how would that counter be updated (what code would I need in the detail page; I assume that's where it would have to be??)

Thanks.

[aaa]

Create Field Viewing_Count as number. Then in the script which shows detail increment this field:

Set Field[Viewing_Count,Viewing_Count+1]

[Martin Brändle]

1. It means accesses from a maximum of 10 different IP adresses within a rolling period of 12 hours. This can not be extended, unless you buy FM 6 Unlimited (which means unlimited IP access).

2. I would strongly suggest against to add a counter field to the database. To update the field, the database must be editable for the public, which is a high security risk. With certain XML queries the whole structure of the database can be read out and a tweaked query can be sent back that can change the content.

Rather use a software that analyzes your web log. A free software can be obtained at http://www.analog.cx/ .

[Garry Claridge]

I've used a separate database to keep "hit" counts and an access log on a couple of jobs. These work well and are quite secure.

The "hits" can be incremented by using [FMP-InlineAction] tags within the appropriate pages.

Good Luck.

Garry

[Martin Brändle]

Excellent idea, Garry.

[EllenG]

This was all very helpful.

But can someone please tell me how to get FM6 Unlimited (it's not on ebay) and is there an alternative (ie. Lasso) that will do the same without making any changes to my application (which is working!!)

If you are using Lasso on the web with your FM6 application, I would be interested in your opinions.

Thanks.

[Steve T.]

Hi, Ellen!

(1) As mentioned, you should get FM Unlimited (I think it's still available retail from FM). There are technologies that may work with client but this might violate the license agreement. Even Lasso would require you to reformat your CDML somewhat, plus, I think FMU would still be required. CafePHP is the only thing I heard of that lets you web publish with FM client. You could always downgrade to FM4 for cheap (client allows unlimited web publishing) at the cost of losing some stability, speed, and functionality, but it has MOST everything Unlimited has.

(2) The INLINE ACTION web log/counter is even given as an example in the CDML Reference DB as how an inline can be implemented and it works great, although I can't remember if the code in the example was accurate or not since I remember something confusing about intra-tag braces { }.

If you have $ for Lasso, you should be able to have $ for Unlimited. We publish only using FMU on an old Mac (300MHz) and are relatively satisfied with its performance. Lasso and other middleware technologies will empower you to do more than you can w/CDML but I miss the speed of development and ease of use of CDML only sites.

--ST

[EllenG]

FM6 Unlimited is not showing as available under the FM website. I found it on Amazon for $990, but it says it isn't available yet?? Nothing on ebay, atomic park, cdw or any of the other software sites I know.

Is there a place on the forum for purchasing old software from other users who may no longer be using it???

Thanks.

[Garry Claridge]

Here is a version of a "PHP Filter" which processes Forms, it can be used with FM until you find FM Unlimited:

 <?php 

if ($_SERVER["QUERY_STRING"] != "") 

   { 

   @include("http://localhost:591/FMPro?" . $_SERVER["QUERY_STRING"]); 

   } 

else 

   { 

   $args = ""; 



   while ($fm_params = Current($_REQUEST)) 

      { 

     $args .= urlencode(key($_REQUEST)) . "=" . urlencode($fm_params) . "&"; 

     next($_REQUEST); 

     }; 



   @include("http://localhost:591/FMPro?" . $args); 



   }; 

?> 

 

You could use a Form like this: 

 <body> 

Hello World<br> 

<form action="fmpro.php" method="POST"> 

<input type="hidden" name="-db" value="combotest.fp5"> 

<input type="hidden" name="-format" value="mypage.html"> 

<input type="submit" name="-new" value="New Rec"> 

</form></body> 

[EllenG]

Hi Garry.

Thanks, but I don't need a form. My web application works, it's the 10 IP limit that's my problem. I am hoping my database will be accessed frequently!

[Garry Claridge]

This just replaces the "/FMPro?" for all access to the database. Hence, only one IP is ever used.

A modifided URL may look like this:

http://address/fmpro.php?-db=mydb.fp5&-format=mypage.html......&-find

You can even modify your httpd.conf file to divert any "/FMPro?" to "fmpro.php?". This would save changing any pages at all.

All the best.

Garry