Free $97 gift for help

[Anon]

I have a short and simple php script that changes the page content for my homepage. Effectively, it alternates between one page and another so I can test the sales effectiveness of different content.

i.e. visitor one will have index0.htm loaded into index.html and visitor two will have index1.htm loaded into index.html. Visitor three will see index0.htm and so on.

Also, the script sets a cookie so that if the visitor goes to another webpage and then comes back anytime within 3 days, they see the same page again, rather the alternative.

The script is short and sweet and it currently works. But I wish to make improvements and make sure it is behaving correctly.

I have been logging the IP's of the visitors and sometimes it seems as if page 0 or page 1 is being viewed several times in a row.

Therefore, I have the following requirements:

1. Have someone test it thoroughly to see if there are any glaring mistakes in the code that could lead to it not giving a balanced 50:50 display of each page.

2. See if there are any improvements that can be made to make it easier to administer. (Currently, if I want to change it to test 4 different pages instead of 2, I have to alter the code in the php code - not very user friendly).

Requirement 2 is optional. My main concern is that the test is reliable and that each page is shown an equal number of times.

In return? You can have a complimentary copy of The Instant Computer Consultant package (www.instantcomputerconsultant.com) value $97. Alternatively, I have another ebook called Casanova Secrets (www.casanovasecrets.com) value $39.95. These are not pirated copies, as I own the copyright on both.

Please let me know if someone can help, by emailing me at [e-mail]. I just want to hand over the job and have someone take care of it for me. I am at the end of my limited php knowledge.

Thanks,

Jon

[[deleted]]

why not just post the form and we'll all have a look, for free.

[Anon]

Thank you! Ok, the code is shown below and is contained in index.htm (which is parsed as php).

I'm logging the IP addresses of those who go to my two test pages and sometimes I get several people in a row going to the same page. So, I'm not sure if it is working 100%.

Here is the code:

<?php
//Simple PHP headline swapper

//Check for cookie
$ICCTestCode = $HTTP_COOKIE_VARS["ICCTestCode"];
//if ($ICCTestCode && ($ICCTestCode != "")) {
// include("index".$ICCTestCode.".htm");

if ($ICCTestCode != "") {
include("index".$ICCTestCode.".htm");

} else {

if (file_exists('count.inc'))
{
//if file exists..read the last supplied file.
$fil = fopen('count.inc', 'r');
$dat = fread($fil, filesize('count.inc'));
fclose($fil);
}
else
{
//if it doesnt exist. create one.
// in ur code , if file doesnt exist, it wont display any headers. i have corrected it here.
$fil = fopen('count.inc', 'w');
fwrite($fil, 0);
fclose($fil);
$dat = 0;
}

//Set cookie

setcookie("ICCTestCode", $dat, time()+345600);

//using include to display the appropriate page:

$filename = 'index'.$dat.'.htm';
include("$filename");

// my approach for rewinding value of dat..
if($dat > 0) {
    $dat = 0;

}
else
{
$dat++;
}

//now write in the new value...
$fil = fopen('count.inc', 'w'); 
fwrite($fil, $dat); 
fclose($fil);

}
?>

[[deleted]]

Most likely you are having trouble because of the fact taht you are using a file to store the count. Files can only be written by one script at a time. If too many pageviews come in at once, the file will not be written&read properly.
Look at file-locking (flock)

PS:
"Now there's a brand new manual showing you how to make a killing running your own computer consultancy. "

...don't tell me you seriously sell that crap?

[Anon]

Does that mean I will need some sort of SQL solution?

P.S. How do you know it is crap unless you have read it?

[[deleted]]

"Does that mean I will need some sort of SQL solution?"

No, it just means you need to add some file-locking to your script, so that only one script can ever read and update the file at a time. Then all the other scripts must wait for the lock to be removed before they can access it.
That way each script gets a chance to read and update the file, and every script should read/write the correct value.

"P.S. How do you know it is crap unless you have read it?"

Because:
A) There is no surefire method of becoming successfull at anything unless you bluf your way around, and when you bluff your way around, your career has a short lifespan.

😎 there are way too many "wow this is a great book" quotes to make it even remotely credible.

C) if this method is so great, how come it only costs $90 or so?

d) if this method is so great and any shmuck can become a $200/h IT consultant, why are you spending your timetrying to sell the book?

e) If this book is so good, how come it is mentioned in the same breath as a VERY cheezy book about becoming a casanova?

f) If this book is so good, then why is there a link that encourages people to become an affiliate and make money by convinsiing other poor sods to buy the book, who convince other people to buy the book who.... sounds familiar? Yup, it's the famous Pyramid system, which has been outlawed in more than one country.

that is why your book must be crap.

[Anon]

I really like your php comments. Very good.

I feared that if they were file locked, the page would freeze and the surfer would not see a page or it would be slow to load. Is this wrong? Does it just actually (for a microsecond) stop the page being accessable and so you end up not noticing any slowdown whatsoever?

Jon

P.S. All purchasers are asked for their comments, good and bad, 14 days after buying the book. Whatever they appear like to you, they are real. In fact, I have just received one a few minutes ago...

Jon,
You've done a great job. I really don't think you've left a single stone
unturned. I've already recommended this to several other people. Thanks
for doing a great job, being thorough and writing with clarity. Anybody
with any real familiarity with computers and enough desire to take action
can use your system to succeed.

-John W. Thomas

I have loads more that are not on my website yet, but they will be when I have time. The fact of the matter is, they like my book!

In the middle ages, they thought the world was flat and wouldn't dare go near the edges. But they thought that because they never went to find out for themselves. If you haven't read my book, you cannot comment on the value of its contents.

[[deleted]]

"Does it just actually (for a microsecond) stop the page being accessable and so you end up not noticing any slowdown whatsoever"

writing a 2 char file is indeed very fast, you won't notice the slowdown inless you are receiving a VERY high load

PS: lol you really think that posting happy quotes is proof that your book is any good? Why don't you post a few chapters of this amazing book?

Oh, and back in the dark ages, when people thought the earth was flat, there were also people who tried to sell you bottles of merky water, claiming it to be a cure against hair-loss, and showing a person with a healthy head of hair to prove it.

Get a grip, get a life, find a job. I here there is a great book that helps you become a successfull IT manager, and it's only $90. And if you get your friends to buy it too, you get 25% from that sale too!

[Anon]

Thats ok then, file locking it is!

Thanks,

Jon

P.S. Testimonials show that customers are happy. That is a good enough indication of whether or not they are happy with their purchase. If the book was crap, they would not put their name to a testimonial. Would you? Instead, they would ask for a refund. Open your mind. You don't know it all (except php of course - you're pretty good at that!).

[[deleted]]

Well good luck witht he script

PS:
"Testimonials show that customers are happy"

No, they just show that you are clever at making them up. Like this one:

Dear vincent,
I bought the book that was offered on www.instantcomputerconsultant.com and all I can say is that is really is crap. There is not a single useful idea it. I shall be asking for a refund immediately.

--Arnold Swichtenstein, Michigan.

"If the book was crap, they would not put their name to a testimonial. Would you? "

Shall I invest some time and see how many people in those quotes actually exist, and how many actually wrote them?

"Instead, they would ask for a refund"
Yes they would, but logically you don't mention any unhappy customers on your website.

"Open your mind. You don't know it all"
No I don't know it all, but I know enough to know that your book is a load of crap. I've been in the IT management business longer than I care to rememeber, and there is only one way to become a good IT manager, and that is by hard work and experience.
The fact that your book claims to make you an IT manager even if you have no experience is just more proof that it's all a load of crap.

Your book, and indeed the entire website, both of the IT book and the 'how to become a casanova in 5 easy lessons' are a load of purest sh*t, designed only to make easy money off other peoples gullability.

No selfrespecting author would sell his book in the way that you are selling them. I just pity the poor people who fall for your scam.

Anyway, enough of this, the PHP problem is solved, case closed.

[Anon]

If you believe you cannot learn from others, or their experience, why don't you close down all the schools and universities, shut the book stores and close all internet sites with learning content?

For some reason, you think your job is so special that there is nothing you can learn about it in written form, that all previous experience should be discarded and that, like a fool, you can only learn by your own mistakes and not others.

It looks like I am the only one with a balanced argument in this thread.

Jon

[toma42]

No vincent, don't you know that testimonials have been used for years to absolutly prove something is right? (http://www.mtn.org/quack/ephemera/oct7-01.htm)

They are used extensively on the web (http://www.universe-people.com/dil1menu_e.htm) to document facts (http://www.curezone.com/diseases/cancer/cancer_dr_lorriane_day.html).

I found several convincing arguments about another book in the testimonials here: http://www.getandstaywell.com/ so I have no doubt that this book is just as factual and informational.

Isn't everything people put on the web a fact?

[[deleted]]

lol

In violation of my own 'case closed';

"If you believe you cannot learn from others"

where did I say that?

I said that your books is a load of crap because it is not possible to read one book and become an instant IT manager.

This is in sharp contrast to selling junk on the internet, any moron can do that after reading just one leaflet.

"It looks like I am the only one with a balanced argument in this thread."

A balanced argument? fake quotes from 'happy customers'? balanced? A pyramid-style salespitch? balanced?

You really do need to get a life boy.

[[deleted]]

Way to go Tom! 🙂

[Anon]

"If you believe you cannot learn from others"

"where did I say that?"

You stated: "there is only one way to become a good IT manager, and that is by hard work and experience."

"I said that your books is a load of crap because it is not possible to read one book and become an instant IT manager."

The book is not about becoming an IT manager.

"A balanced argument? fake quotes from 'happy customers'?"

Assuming the testimonials are faked. You don't know, do you. Ignorant man.

"A pyramid-style salespitch? balanced?"

Amazon.com use affiliate programs. You are really small minded. It pleases me to see you in your lowly position. lol!

[[deleted]]

lol you really can't take it when someone doesn't fall for your scam can you?

Get a LIFE man...

[Anon]

Since your the geek round here, perhaps you should get a life. lol!

[[deleted]]

Yes I am geek, and proud of it.

And if it weren't for us geeks, you would
not have a webserver to sell your crap on.
Didn't you read that in your book?

[Anon]

I could use some of my sales techniques on the Taliban.

Check out this link:

http://members.sigecom.net/theclan/Taliban.html

Jon

[[deleted]]

lol you didn't have anything to do with those 'how to become a terrorist' manuals they found did you?