Devil Works

As per my previous post I’ve decided to set up a Short URL service.

I went to my usual script hunting haunt, Hotscripts. After looking at a few different options I decided on Phurl.

As per usual I picked a script that runs on PHP and MySQL. I’m not a programmer by any means but I’ve developed a reasonable understanding of the language so I find it easier to fix and change things. It’s probably one of the most basic scripts on offer, but it’s exactly what I wanted. I find it easier to add features in later, than remove ones that I don’t want.

It says it features:

• May handle billion of records (seperated SQL table structure, it depends on your server configuration)
• CAPTCHA (image) verification (configurable)
• Can run with or without mod_rewrite module (configurable)
• Can handle urls with or without http:// prefix
• Duplicate URL record handling
• URL prunning/cleaning via cron-job (configurable)
• Very easy installation
• Simple administration for record deletion
• Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict and valid CSS coded
• Free - Licensed under GPL

At the moment I’ve turned the CATCHPA off, and I’m using the mod_rewrite feature for the shortest possible URL.

The one point I would argue is that it’s a very easy installation. It might be if it had any instructions. I’ve probably been spoiled having mostly done Wordpress installs lately where everything is very easy and much of it is automated. But Phurl had zero info on how to install the script.

So I will present my own Phurl installation instructions. These still probably aren’t as detailed as they need to be for a complete novice, but it’s what I had to do.
Installation

1. Upload the contents of the zip file to where you plan to use it on your server.

2. Create a MySQL database

3. Download the MySQL tables from here.

4 Import the tables into your database (I used PHPmyadmin, you might be clever enough to do it from the command line)

5. Go to install.php in whichever directory you chose to upload the files

6. Fill out the details on this page, select “don’t install database” and deselect “create database” then click the install button.

7. You should be taken to a page that has a couple of configuration files for you. I’d assumed that these would be saved to the server for me but they weren’t. Copy and paste the config.php and .htaccess files into two seperate files with those names and upload them to your server.

8. Now if all’s gone well you should be able to go to your index page and see the form to shorten url’s. Give it a test and off you go.

Overall
Now that it’s working, It’s working just as I expected, but the install was nothing but minor headaches. I’ve still got lots to do to get it how I want it, but it’s functioning and I can build on it when time permits.

I’ve just installed the Barracuda Link Directory Script for a new project I’m working on. Barracuda is PHP/MySQL script that is free if you wish to maintain a link to the script developers. If you don’t want to maintain the link then there is a $39 fee.

They Say:

• Links Directory Script. Create a powerful links directory like Yahoo or DMOZ with tons of modern AJAX-based features.
• Links Exchange Script. Increase links exchange productivity and make your search engine rankings soar.
• Web Marketing Analyzer. Track your site’s positions in Google, Yahoo and MSN. Watch traffic trends. Control backward links.

I’m only planning on using the Links Directory part of the script. So I won’t be offering a comment on the rest of it. I’m not planning on creating a link directory but I found it suitable (with a few template modifications) for my intentions.

My main needs from the script are categories and SEO friendly URLS

Installation

This is where things went a little pear shaped. When I went to the install directory as per the readme.txt file I filled everything out and clicked save. I ended up with the same page except it was unsable page and full of PHP warnings.

I headed to the Expertzzz Forums which is used for support and started looking for answers. While I didn’t find my exact situation I read somewhere that you needed to go to the /install/admin.php file to set the admin password.

So I did that, renamed the install directory (instead of deleting it as the readme suggested) and things appear to be working okay.

Operation

So far it appears to be able to do everything I want of it, actually for what I’m doing it has an excess of features. But a lot of software is like that (MS Office anyone?).

I’ve entered some sample links and I need to get an understanding of the template system and make some major modifications before I launch it. Otherwise things are pretty smooth.

In the built in search box there is an option to search the web, This is already prelinked with someone elses Google search code. I’ll be wanting to fix that before it starts getting hit with traffic. I also need to work out how to integrate my own adsense and any other advertising I decide to put on the site, but I think that will become apparent when I get into the templates.

There are 10 other templates available on the website, they can be purchased for between $3 and $20 dollars. I’m going to work on my own, it might not be the pretties, but it hopefully I’ll get the results I want.

One of the downsides is the very limited documentation that comes with it, it’s practically non existant. I think that’s where the forums will be coming in handy.

The other major downside is that the script was last updated on 1 November 2006, so I’m not expecting any active development on it. The guys at Boonex seem much more interested in supporting their community software.

Overall

I think it’s a pretty decent script and a lot of effort has gone into producing something that they are giving away. If a bit more effort had gone into the installation side of it and the documentation then I’d say it was great.

The real test will come when it’s fully populated and getting some traffic and to see how well it holds up. We’ll have to wait and see.