New website idea - need website script which will search another site's message board.

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Bruiser

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Topic # 7277 3-Apr-2006 10:48

Hi,
I am putting to gether a new website which will need to validate new accounts by using another website's message boards. I can't explain yet why but it is critical as the validation method.

What I'm looking for is a script or server based tool for our linux webhost which will, amongst other database activities, dynamically create a new text string for each new account application. It will send an email to the user requiring them to log onto this other website (yes, they will be a member of that website and no, its NOT geekzone lol).
They will need to start a new message thread in a particular message board on that site. They will use the string created by the script as the title of the new message.

The server script will then be required to log onto the other website and pro-actively search their message boards for that string. If found the script will then validate the account on our host server and add the info into our website's MySQL database.

We need the above to be based on a linux server so I'm assuming the script will be PHP?

I had a programmer writing one for me but he was doing so in MS ASP for a windows server which caused us huge issues and he is employed full time which meant this project has had delays.

I am therefore trying to find a way to do this in a server script which will work on one of our linux servers.

I'm looking for a programmer or somone who knows a script or a programmer who could write one. Prefereably they would reside in in or close to Auckland but this isn't compulsory.

Any help would be appreciated. Pleaes leave a response here. Or you are welcome to email me at bruisernz@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Bruiser

freitasm

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Reply # 32067 3-Apr-2006 10:57

And this board where the validation code would be yours too, or any other board?

I am asking because it would be a not so welcome use of traffic allowance and bandwith - I know for myself I wouldn't like to have my bandwith, which is there to satisfy my readers, to be used as "authentication" mechanism for an unrelated site.

You might want to remove the phone number. We never know what people can do with that.

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chiefie

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Reply # 32068 3-Apr-2006 10:59

so, you got a server that has already got a membership authentication system, but you want a seperate domain to cross domain/server to authenticate users from this primary domain/server?

I could suggest use AJAX form, send login request to primary server via XMLHTTP, and with primary server authenticate and send XML data back/forth to secondary server to get its authenticity.

Look around for AJAX solution, most are happening behind the scene, actively and can be use for quick authentication etc.

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Bruiser

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Reply # 32094 3-Apr-2006 15:23

freitasm: And this board where the validation code would be yours too, or any other board?

I am asking because it would be a not so welcome use of traffic allowance and bandwith - I know for myself I wouldn't like to have my bandwith, which is there to satisfy my readers, to be used as "authentication" mechanism for an unrelated site.

Thanks for your reply.

The site we require the user to log on to has nothing to do with us. However the whole reason for our website's existence is to establish a method of contact of that websites' users that will bypass their anti-member contact policies.

So of course that company won't be happy that firstly we are using a little of their bandwidth to validate their/our members and secondly our reason detre' is counter productive to their very existence!

I've probably said too much but hopefully that will explain a little of what we're about and what we need.

Cheers,
Bruiser

CourierConnect

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Wannabe Geek

Reply # 32373 5-Apr-2006 21:36

Sounds like your about to really piss some people off (and I know about pissing people off aye Tony LOL)...

At least when I done it, it was done with good intentions, your intentions sound less than good for the website your targeting.
Good luck and I hope that court proceedings don't follow, read their terms and conditions carefully. (make sure your lawyer does too) or heads might roll.

cokemaster

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Reply # 32375 5-Apr-2006 21:52

If it gets to that point, its quite a simple matter of banning the IP address of the webserver running the script.

Webserver IP's don't change often for obvious reasons.

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CourierConnect

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Reply # 32378 5-Apr-2006 22:08

Unless the owners of the message board they want to hijack decide to take futher action also. But generally, yeah that would happen, What a waste of time and money to build the script for that to happen aye???

tonyhughes

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Reply # 32379 5-Apr-2006 22:15

After a heads up from Mauricio, then an online discussion with the OP, and his offer to me of a telephone call explanation (which I have not taken up yet, but will), I am confident that there is a relatively legitimate use for the methods/actions he is looking to employ.

Please dont consider this as an endorsement, merely a heads up that all may not be as it seems.

Bruiser... throw us a bone!

cokemaster

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Reply # 32381 5-Apr-2006 22:19

You're the boss.

Sometimes we cast ourselves off in the wrong light. Happens to me all the time.

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Bruiser

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Reply # 32733 10-Apr-2006 18:51

As requested here is the bone.

We have resolved the problem mentioned in my opening thread, with minimal use of the target website's bandwidth. We are just a couple of days away from announcing the whole project at which time you will understand why the need for secrecy.

Simply when a new user registers with our website the script emails a dynamically created string to them and asks that they add this string to their profile on the other (target) website. Once this is done our validation script searches the user's profile on the target website looking for that string. It is harmless, uses minimal bandwidth, and achieves the objectives we have, so all good.

Our website, it's functionality and the script have been legally tested and found to be kosher. That is not to say the target websit's owners won't be entirey pleased with us! And our activities may offend the sensibilities of some (including here), ultimately that is something we are prepared to accept.

We are breaking no laws and the most we have to lose is our own membership of the target website.

I do not expect this post to be universally well received and will accept whatever criticisms and/or comments that are forthcoming.

Thanks,
Bruiser