Profiles Database By Smo - Version 3

  All Applications are now available as shareware. There are no limitations or 'nag' screens. If you decide to use the application for more than 30 days you must purchase a license.

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  • Profiles Database By Smo - $10
Profiles Database By Smo
   File Size = 87 kb

  Refunds - No Refunds...try before you buy.

  Technical Support - For registered users only. I check my e-mail often. Its very important to me to offer my clients quality support in a timely manner. I answer all e-mail within 24 hours.

Table of Contents:

About The Profiles Database By Smo

The Profiles Database By Smo will allow users to maintain a profile on your web site. The profile can consist of work information, home information, personal information, custom form one (10 custom fields), custom form 2 (10 custom fields), and photo. The administrator can set which of these categories will be active. The application will run inside a 'template page' (any page on your web site) allowing the program to fit seamlessly into any design. The Profiles Database By Smo is an Active Server Page Application written in the VBScript programming language. Photo upload to database is pure asp...no components needed on the server.

Requirements

1. Your isp (Internet Service Provider) must have the following running on their web server. Its ok if you are unfamiliar with the terms below. Your isp knows what they mean and can inform you if they are available on the server that hosts your web site. These are standard parts of Microsoft's© web site hosting technology.

  • Active Server Pages (ASP 2.0).
  • Ability to connect to a Microsoft Access 2000© database or an SQL Server 2000 database.
  • You will need one of the following e-mail components on your server - CDONTS (Microsoft), ASPEmail (Persits), AspMail (Server Objects), or JMail (Dimac). This script can be edited to support other e-mail components. Editing the script to support your e-mail component is free with purchase of the application.

2. Your web site viewers need to be using Internet Explorer Version 4.0 or higher or Netscape Navigator Version 4.08 or higher. Version 3 browsers work well but have a few bugs. Is anyone still using a 3.0 browser?

Installation

1. Unzip the files - Unzip the files in the profilesdatabasebysmo_v3.zip into a folder in your local web site directory (where you develop your web site before uploading). Be sure to unzip the file with the 'Use Directory Names' option selected. You will now have a folder named 'profilesdatabase' containing the following files...
  • images (Folder)
  • hex_color_codes.htm
  • html_color_names.htm
  • profiles_admin.asp
  • profiles_admin_display.htm
  • profiles_admin_frameset.htm
  • profiles_admin_index.htm
  • profiles_admin_members.htm
  • profilesdatabase.asp
  • profilesdatabase_admin.asp
  • profilesdatabase_config.asp
  • profilesdatabase_photo.asp
  • profilesdatabase_print.asp
  • profilesdatabase_readme.htm (This file you are reading)
  • profilesdatabase_setup_sql_tables.asp
  • profilesdatabase_setup_sql_tables.txt
  • profilesdatabase_template_page_example.asp
  • rename_me.mdb

2. Setup the database - Below are directions for setting up the database.

Access - Rename the 'rename_me.mdb' file making sure you retain the .mdb extension. You can use any name you wish but you must keep the .mdb extension. Also, use only small case letters a-z with no spaces between the words. Here is an example...

rename_me.mdb ...renamed to... mydatabase.mdb

Be sure to rename the file 'rename_me.mdb' because doing so will provide extra security for your users.

Many isps require a special folder be created to hold database files. Ask them to create this folder and to set the proper permissions. You can now upload the 'rename_me.mdb' file (which you have renamed...) into the newly created folder. If your isp does not require a special folder to hold database files create a new folder yourself and upload the 'rename_me.mdb' file (which you have renamed...) into it. Your new folder can be named anything you want. Inform your isp of the location of the folder so they can set the proper permissions. It is always best to have your database folder above your webroot directory to prevent anyone from downloading your databases. Renaming the 'rename_me.mdb' file will also help prevent anyone from downloading your database (you did rename the 'rename_me.mdb' file didn't you?).

SQL Server 2000 - Create a database on the server (or use an existing database). Skip ahead and complete sections 4 and 5. Load the profilesdatabase_setup_sql_tables.asp page and use it to create the required tables in your database. Be sure to delete the profiles database_setup_sql_tables.asp page from your web site after you successfully create the tables to prevent anyone from using the page again and possibly damaging your database.You can also use Query Analyzer to create the required tables. To do so, open the profilesdatabase_setup_sql_tables.txt and follow the directions.

3. Create the profiles database template page - Next you need to create your profiles database template page. It can be a simple blank page but you will most likely want it to have your web site's design. It can contain your web site's templates, library items, asp code, etc. It must be an .asp file. You can take one of your existing htm, html, etc. pages and change the extension to asp. In this profiles database template page you need to put the following code...

<!--#include file="profilesdatabase.asp"-->

...in the place where you want the profiles database to run. Make sure the line of code only appears once in your profiles database template page and that it is not in the title. The profiles database template page MUST be in the 'profilesdatabase' folder with the other profiles database files. An example profiles database template page is provided...'profilesdatabase_template_page_example.asp.' You can view this page with Notepad or your HTML editor to see the code.

4. Open the 'profilesdatabase_config.asp' file for editing - Edit the 'profilesdatabase_config.asp' file with your favorite editor (Notepad works nicely). Read through this file and follow the directions it contains. You may need to obtain some of the required information, such as the physical address of your rename_me.mdb (which you have renamed...), from your isp.

5. Upload Files - Upload all the files to your web site.

6. Link to your profiles database template page - You can now link to the profiles database template page which will run and include the profiles database application.

7. Cookies need to be enabled - Your users must have cookies enabled for the application to run correctly. The application does not place any cookies that last beyond the user's session. If a user does not have cookies enabled a custom error page will inform them of this fact when they try to perform a task that requires a 'session' cookie.

8. Java NOT needed - The profiles database application does not use any Java Script. Unless your template page uses Java Script your users do not need to have Java enabled to use the profiles database.

9. Buffering needs to be on - If you find you get a 'Buffering Off' error when running the application see the trouble shooting section for the fix...its easy to fix.

10. Photos - The photos are stored in the database. The photo MUST be of type JPEG (.jpg extension) or GIF (.gif extension). Photos that do not meet the criteria are rejected. The actual photo is only taken out of the database when being displayed.

11. Customize Icons - You can create your own icons and overwrite the applications default icons. Your icons can be of any size but it is best to keep them the size of the originals or at least close. You can experiment with different sizes to find what works best for your web site. Below are the default icon names and sizes. You will need to name your custom icon the same as the icon you wish to replace and overwrite that original icon in the images folder.

  profilesdatabase_print.gif - Best 30 x 15 pixels

    profilesdatabase_arrowleft.gif - Best 23 width x 17 height in pixels

    profilesdatabase_arrowright.gif - Best 23 width x 17 height in pixels

      profilesdatabase_error.gif - Best 98 width x 17 height in pixels

Using The Profiles Database Administration Page

To use the administration page you simply load the 'profiles_admin.asp' page located on your web site into your browser. It is a stand alone file and does not need a template file or special configuration. You must have cookies enabled to use the administration page. The administration page does not place any cookies that last beyond the session. The administration page does not use a custom error page.

1. Statistics - Displays the Profiles Database statistics.

2. Set Welcome Message - The administrator can enter a custom welcome message. The message will display on the Profiles Database Welcome Page. You can use HTML tags. For example, the following will display an e-mail link on the welcome page...

If you have any trouble using the profiles database, you can send me an <a href="mailto:myemailaddress">E-mail</a>.

3. E-mail Profiles - Create and send an e-mail to the profiles you choose.

4. Set Custom Form One - Use this page to set the field names of Custom Form One. The number of characters the user will be able to enter in the field is noted.

5. Set Custom Form Two - Use this page to set the field names of Custom Form Two. The number of characters the user will be able to enter in the field is noted.

6. Set Profiles Options - Use this page to set the options. All options can be changed at any time.

  • E-mail Component - Set e-mail component.
  • E-mail Server Address - The address of your e-mail server. Provided by your isp.
  • Valid Web Site E-mail Address - A valid web site e-mail address.
  • Web Site Name - The name of your web site.
  • Administrator Name - Name of administrator.
  • Font Face Type - Set the font type.
  • Background Color Of Forms - Set the background color of forms.
  • Border Color Of Forms - Set the border color of forms.
  • Enable Business Form - Enable/disable collection/display of business information.
  • Enable Home Form - Enable/disable collection/display of home information.
  • Enable Personal Form - Enable/disable collection/display of personal information.
  • Enable Custom Form One - Enable/disable collection/display of custom form one information.
  • Custom Form One Title - Set the title of custom form one.
  • Enable Custom Form Two - Enable/disable collection/display of custom form two information.
  • Custom Form Two Title - Set the title of custom form two.
  • Allow Photo Upload/Display - Enable/disable photo upload and display.
  • Photo Maximum Pixel Height - Set the maximum pixel height of photos.
  • Photo Maximum Pixel Width- Set the maximum pixel width of photos.

7. Launch ReadMe Page - Displays this readme file.

8. Logout - Logout and load the main profiles page.

9. List By Letter - Lists all profiles by first letter of last name. Next to the names of the profiles you see (delete / info). Selecting delete will allow you to delete a profile. Selecting info will allow you to view the Name, Profile Id, User Name, Password, and E-mail of a profile.

10. List All Profiles A-Z - Lists all profiles in the database alphabetically by last name. Next to the names of the profiles you see (delete / info). Selecting delete will allow you to delete a profile. Selecting info will allow you to view the Name, Profile Id, User Name, Password, and E-mail of a profile.

11. Search - You can search the profiles database by entering either first name, last name, or country. Next to the names of the profiles you see (delete / info). Selecting delete will allow you to delete a profile. Selecting info will allow you to view the Name, Profile Id, User Name, Password, and E-mail of a profile.

12. Display - Clicking on the name in a list will display the profile of that person.

Trouble Shooting

The application will trap most errors and display them on a custom error page rather than show the server default error page that leaves the user confused about what has gone wrong. The two most common errors for users will be 'cookies disabled' and 'session time-out' (session time-out is set to 20 minutes by the application overriding the server setting). If a user encounters one of these errors the custom error page will help them correct the problem. As an administrator the custom error page will assist you in correcting any problems you may encounter. Below are some common errors and their solutions.

I get the following error:

Data source name not found and no default driver specified

...or...

'(unknown)' is not a valid path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are connected to the server on which the file resides.

...or...

Could not find file '(unknown)'

...or similar...

Make sure the database connection is set properly in the 'profilesdatabase_config.asp'.

I get the following error:

Operation must use an updateable query. (or a 'permission denied' error)

...or similar...

Make sure your isp has set the proper permissions on the folder in which your database resides.

I get the following error:

006~ASP 0159~Buffering Off~Buffering must be on.

Buffering is off. Either your isp has buffering turned off at the server level or the code in your profiles database template page turns buffering off. If your isp has turned buffering off simply add the following line of code to the top of your profiles database template page...

<% Response.Buffer = True %>

If the code in your profiles database template page turns buffering off you will need to change it to allow buffering. The code that turns buffering off will usually be at the top of your profiles database template page and look like the line below...

<% Response.Buffer = False %>

...change to...

<% Response.Buffer = True %>

I get the following error: (The following error will not show in the custom error page but will be displayed by the server using its error handling method.)

The page cannot be displayed

There is a problem with the page you are trying to reach and it cannot be displayed.

HTTP 500 - Internal server error
Internet Explorer

The most likely cause of this error is the inability of the profiles database template page to load the include file 'profilesdatabase.asp'. Make sure the profiles database template page is in the 'profilesdatabase' folder with the 'profilesdatabase.asp' file and that it is properly set in the 'profilesdatabase_config.asp'.

Technical Support

If you find you are still having trouble getting the Profiles Database By Smo running correctly after reading the 'Trouble Shooting' section of this document please send an e-mail to iamsmo@comcast.net explaining the difficulty you are having. I have worked very hard to build a high quality application. I will do everything I can to help you get things working properly. I will reply to your e-mail within 24 hours.

THE PROFILES DATABASE BY SMO IS SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DATA LOSS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF LOSS WHILE USING OR MISUSING THIS SOFTWARE.