Actinic PHP / Randomising Products [Archive]

Marci

12-Nov-2003, 12:23 AM

Dunno if this has been covered, suggested or mentioned but is there any likelyhood of a php version of Actinic??

I just like the way PHP-based sites can have randomly displayed products on the front page of the site... or is this possible with Actinic in it's current state? (Where the front page of the site is independent from Actinic such as in my own...)

Mind you... could probably use the Froogle Feed to feed the info into a MySQL table anyways, automate the import job with cron to keep it up to date, and manually PHP script it on whatever page you liked??

(I assume... I don't touch PHP, leave it to someone else to write then tell me how to incorporate it into a page!)

cdicken

12-Nov-2003, 03:40 PM

Hi Marci

I can see an online database + scripting language being a logical direction for Actinic to go for in the future. It makes sense.

If we do go for it I guess the big decision would be whether we should go for ASP or PHP. Although ASP is limited to Windows servers, it does have the largest market share at the moment.

I'd be really keen to hear any opinions you guys might have out there.

Marci

12-Nov-2003, 03:59 PM

Altho ASP has the market share, the number of Actinic Users who are in that level are probably few in comparison to the smaller companies using unix hosting etc etc...

Then there's the issue of the majority of sites now running the free php forums, galleries, and site content systems.

It would make Actinic widely and easily integratable into all the current popular systems.... so my vote goes with php.

craigtubby

12-Nov-2003, 04:27 PM

I would go with PHP as well - PHP also runs on Win servers (under IIS or Apache) so you basically capture both markets.

Again with PHP you also get the free MySQL integrations (again on Win and other servers) so syncronisation would still be possible (although probably not as seemless as an offline access and online SQLServer)

I would also think as Apache is the most used Webserver PHP is likely to have a much larger footprint than ASP.

And finally, Apache/*nix servers are cheaper - OneandOne allow you to hire an apache server for £30 per month, a Win03 server is £50 (not including SQL Server)

But please don't give up the great ability of Actnic not to have to do things online.

NormanRouxel

12-Nov-2003, 04:30 PM

Good to see a positive response from Actinic when PHP got mentioned.

My 10,000TL worth (that's about 2p).

Please nothing that ties us all to Windows Servers only. Keep Unix / Linux / Solaris in the picture. Would you fly on an aircraft run by Windows? I'd rather go by ship.

The Perl scripts (even when compressed) are now around 600Kb. As this is 10 times bigger than the original release of Unix they are definitely getting a bit unwieldy. As for their resource requirements 12Mb memory to add something to the cart is way too steep (Unix originally required 30Kb scratchpad).

Keeping with static HTML product pages but having a PHP / MySQL system for the search, cart and checkout would make a lot of sense. Let the overhead be a common one rather than a per site one. And, of course it wouldn't be too hard to add features like "Customers who bought this...." and "Top 10..", etc.

Norman

Marci

12-Nov-2003, 04:32 PM

The key feature for most stores would be the "here are a random selection from our product range" showing about 8 thumbnails on the frontpage of your site, which can be independent of actinic but with the relevant php code inserted...

printerbase

13-Nov-2003, 04:49 PM

I think you should stick with PHP.

Considering all the problems I hear about in here with people runnning Actinic on Windows servers I think it would be a bad idea to force everbody down the Windows route.

I am now quite excited about a PHP/MYSQL version of Actinic. (Hmmm what a sad life I lead !)

Peter

Marci

14-Nov-2003, 10:07 AM

OK, so in the meantime do we have any PHP specialists here that could decipher the frooglefeed so that it could be imported into a MySQL Database / PHP system?

axpoint

12-Dec-2005, 02:15 AM

I was wandering if anyone is still reading this thread...

If so is there any progress in the Actinic fraternity regarding the implementation of a live system???

pinbrook

12-Dec-2005, 09:46 AM

Given that the vast majority of actinic users host on unix platforms I can see no benefit in going down the ASP route.

Personally I don't use any windows server technology as I prefer the unix/php/opensource approach.

I would have to take a good hard look at using Actinic if it went for a windows platform as I would feel that I was being forced into a platform I have no real interest in using

wjcampbe

12-Dec-2005, 02:35 PM

I have a little ASP.NET programming under way and found it really simple to work with. ASP will run on a *NIX server with a MOD, so there is no force to windows. I would continue to look at both ASP and PHP to see which offers more flexibility/control/functionality.

NormanRouxel

12-Dec-2005, 03:09 PM

Wow! A two year old thread resurrected. No change in my choice. PHP for me.

Also many people use a local server for Cart and Checkout testing and adding PHP to your own little desktop system is very easy to do (and free).

dscontroller

12-Dec-2005, 03:17 PM

Great idea PHP, not so fond of ASP as I haven't tinkered much with it.

Seems that PHP will win all hands down!

David

axpoint

12-Dec-2005, 03:28 PM

Quick note for the Actinic Developers...

Although there are a number of discussions (especially in this thread) regarding the use of PHP or ASP...

But the one point that seems to be more or less unanymous is we all would like to see Actinic DITCH PERL!!!:D

Got my Vote!!!

pinbrook

12-Dec-2005, 06:26 PM

woops didn't notice the start date of the thread

Stunty

26-Dec-2005, 09:27 AM

OK, I know this thread is 4 years old - but, just out of interest, are we anywhere nearer to a version of Actinic with MySql db capability?

TraceyG

29-Dec-2005, 11:57 AM

Hi,

We have just launched Actinic Express which is an entry level php solution with a MySQL database backend. There is more information about this here (http://community.actinic.com/showthread.php?t=18036) or here (http://www.actinicexpress.co.uk/).

I'm afraid that I have no more information of version of the Catalog with MySQL capabilites apart from the fact that it isn't included in v8.

zmagyar

29-Dec-2005, 09:01 PM

Bob Isaac

30-Dec-2005, 05:00 PM

Funny, was just thinking about the possibility of a PHP version earlier today. PHP gets my vote. ASP cuts out the non Windows servers; limits the market for a new format of Actinic.

Bob

wjcampbe

30-Dec-2005, 06:04 PM

ASP cuts out the non Windows servers
This is not true. It is possible to run ASP on Apache using an add-in module.

Bob Isaac

30-Dec-2005, 06:40 PM

Yes, but I have heard that it does not always run well. We have a leased G4 Proliant running RHESL-4 and any add-ons not tested/approved could break the warranty. At the moment I cannot upgrade beyond PHP 4.3.9 and MySQL 4.1.12 without compromising warranty etc.

Bring back two Ovaltine cans and a long piece of cord...:cool:

Bob

NormanRouxel

30-Dec-2005, 09:52 PM

It is possible to run ASP on Apache using an add-in moduleYou don't get the MicroSoft compatible implementation of ASP. Only the possibility to embed Perl statments in your HTML in an ASP / PHP like way.

Here's a note from the Apache::ASP docs.

NOTE: Apache::ASP only supports ASP code already written in Perl. To use Apache::ASP with NT/Windows/IIS ASP pages written in VBScript, the ASP code must be rewritten in Perl.

wjcampbe

30-Dec-2005, 10:38 PM

mod_mono supports ASP.NET on apache and ModVB supports ASP/VBscript and Jscript. Have not got the time to trial them at the moment.

Bob Isaac

31-Dec-2005, 11:12 AM

cdicken

03-Jan-2006, 08:38 AM

That's correct Bob. We will be sticking with CGI for v8.

Stunty

18-Jan-2006, 07:50 PM

Hi,

We have just launched Actinic Express which is an entry level php solution with a MySQL database backend.

I'm afraid that I have no more information of version of the Catalog with MySQL capabilites apart from the fact that it isn't included in v8.

Isn't included in v8?!?!? - why not?

I took a quick look at Actinic Express, thought to myself, "Ahh.. that's what's meant by 'Entry Level'", and immediately checked back out - Call me an old fuddy-duddy, but I prefer the PC based Actinic idea much better..

What are the chances of there being some kind of an upgrade, a plug-in which can translate from a MySQL DB to CGI, or something similar in the future?

cdicken

20-Jan-2006, 08:39 AM

What are the chances of there being some kind of an upgrade, a plug-in which can translate from a MySQL DB to CGI, or something similar in the future?It's interesting. I had a customer on the phone yesterday desperate for the reassurance that v8 wouldn't become a MySQL online database.

An online database is a logical step for Actinic to take, as it allows so many more flexible features in the online store, that we simple cannot achieve with an offline solution at the minute. So all I can say is that we are thinking about it at the moment. Watch this space.