[thelist] XML as poor man's database?

Mark Groen evolt at markgroen.com
Sat Jan 28 22:56:15 CST 2006


On Sat, 2006-01-28 at 20:18 -0600, Tom Schmidt wrote:

> I am using Typepad as my blogging service.  I am not sure what server or
> access to server side scripting they offer.  My plan is to simply use what
> they call "advanced template set" and insert some fairly basic html, with
> access to a PayPal shopping cart.  That way all the secure work on
> transactions are not handled by me, for a nominal percentage of the sales.

A good way to go imho, doesn't sound like you will be selling a
gazillion widgets a day. Paypal works pretty good now a days, buyers no
longer need to create an account, just have a credit card and it's like
any other shopping cart with the exception that the buyer will be asked
if they would prefer to create an account to make future on-line
shopping more secure, easier, etc...afaik, that wee bit of sales pitch
for their product on their part has not kept any sales from me.

> Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I just despise the idea of anything
> hard-coded into my web page's html.  That was where I thought xml might be
> my solution given the limitations of the blog service I have.  Minus of
> course my concerns.

Use the encrypted feature for the Paypal "buttons" wizard, you have to
put *something* on your html page, or their won't be anything to see or
click on! With encryption, not only is your information unreadable if
someone uses "view source", they won't be able to change it either
without a red flag going off at Paypal.

Typepad knows that users want to do stuff like this, imho there are some
pretty nice people working over there, so if you have problems asking on
their forum etc. will get you answers pretty quick.

Here's how to include the extra wee bit of html code that Paypal will
supply you with, when you use the Paypal button maker or shopping cart,
to cut and paste into your Typepad Notes TypeList item:

http://tinyurl.com/cv2ew

> Just in case I am able to use php or some other server side scripting (I
> have never used that btw), is there a good resource where I can learn the
> basics?  Web site, book, etc.?

iirc, you won't be able to use ssi etc. with them, javascript and the
type of html that you need for paypal buttons are okay.

As others have/will mention, the communal libraries that have grown
along with good old reading the manual at php.net will get you a long
way. Google on a local "php user group" (PUG) and append your city name
to that, there is sure to be a group of people near you that get
together and talk php on a more personal level, a great way to get a
hand up in a hurry.

There are lots of web hosting solutions out there that are fairly run
that will give you full php and mysql access for under $10 a month, (not
a shameless plug for myself really, but...)

www.webhostingtalk.com is a fine place to separate the wheat from the
chaff. Almost every host gets good and bad reviews, but after a while
you'll get to recognize the really good ones repeating. Go with the ones
that don't "oversell", there's an article on the site for that or
Google.

have fun!

-- 
cheers,

        Mark




More information about the thelist mailing list