Re: problem writing files to server

dogboy,

Believe me, I know how frustrating this stuff can be; some times things *do* work better after a good night's sleep (or a few drinks!) and a "fresh start" on a new day.

From the information in your last post, here are a few things I suggest you consider:

1)As for "encrypted" or "open source", there are a couple of issues here you might want to clarify. The program you are trying to run (PHP MySpace Gold Edition 8.04) is represented by those who sold it to you as *not* being "open source" in the GNU/GPL sense, and is subject to a licensing agreement agreement according to the FAQ (though I cannot find a copy of the license for that particular product on the author's website). The fact that you can "read the code" is not really what I meant by "Open Source". What this means in practical sense is that you may/may not be able to legally modify the code you purchased without the author's permission, and you should check your license or contact the author to clarify that point.

Side note: I wonder how long they will be able to get away with using "MySpace" in their product title - especially given that the software purports to be a MySpace clone - I'm suspecting the MySpace "lawyers are on their way!" to visit them soon, and the authors had best bring "lawyers, guns, and money" of their own if they intend to defend themselves)

2) According to the author's FAQ, they indicate that "Most of our software is not encoded in any way, however there are some titles that we have encoded to protect our product." You need to clarify whether or not *any* of the parts of the program you are trying to use are encoded, and if so, how.

3) While you indicate that the program requires PHP5, the FAQ on the author's website states:

I don't see this an an encouraging sign, and I suggest you investigate this issue with them *specifically*. Unless they have provided you with a "PHP5 version", you could always try resetting your domain at Dreamhost to use php 4.4.2 and see if that works. Even *if* they *have* provided their PHP5 version, you might request, and try, their "standard" PHP4 version, and run it under PHP 4.4.2 to see if you have better results.

4)Further inspection of their FAQ, reveals a completely "nonsensical" discussion of register_globals, and an downloadable .zip file containing an .htaccess file designed to set register_globals to "on" - this is "Bad Mojo" for security and the Dreamhost installation of PHP5 is set by default to operate with register_globals set to "off" for good reason. The .htaccess they offer *will not* work on Dreamhost - to get around this restriction (and I strongly advise that you do *not* do so), you will need to compile your own version of PHP5, revert to PHP4.4.2, or use your own instance of PHP5 with a customized php.ini (discussed in the wiki). Using PHP 4.4.2 is easy enough to do, but the other two alternatives will likely prove to be "difficult" for you given your description of your scripting skills.

In summary, what I suggest you do is to gather all the information you can about the Dreamhost environment (I'd run a phpinfo program from within my domain and provide them the output). You can also point them to the Dreamhost Wiki for any additional information they need. They should be able to tell you if it will or will not run in the Dreamhost environment with that information. IMHO, if it will not run on Dreamhost, they *should* refund your money, but these types of companies are often very difficult to obtain refunds from, and their FAQ is not encouraging. I think it is also "uber bad" that they don't show you the license or confirm the encoding status of each program before you buy, but it's a little late to worry about that now

Lastly, and please don't think that I am trying to be "hard" on you here, but when evaluating a script you are considering purchasing, I *strongly suggest* you remember that Google is your friend(tm). The search I linked would be more than a little discouraging to me, as results from the first page show:

it appears to be hacked version of Xoops/e-Xoops, that doesn't work for this poster - one encouraging point: if that *is* true, than maybe you can "argue" that the GPL license applies, which might let you legally "hack" at the code.

more of the same, but with threat of legal action from Xoops developer

myspace clone (Php MySpace Gold) ...from p*pscript.com this time, and it doesn't work either. It is loaded with bugs.

...problem reports from the last 90 days or so, scattered among ads for the product by "affilliates" of every ilk. As you browse/search further the news only gets worse

.

general thread about p*pscripts.com By then, I'd read enough.

I'm afraid that you are going to have to rely upon the people that sold you the script for the bulk of the support you get, and I doubt that Dreamhost will be able to help you too much as supporting 3rd Party scripts is *not* their function. Frankly, I'm still willing to answer an occasional question on this installation in the interests of helping *you*, but this baby is likely to be a mess.

You might try running it under PHP4.4.2, as suggested, and talking more with the people who sold it to you. Good Luck!

--rlparker