getting $user from a standard password popup

[hermzz]

this is a sort of diffucult question to make, so please bear with me.
i have my page in a free server that supports php and mysql, it also gives me the posibility to password protect folders on the server by means of the .htaccess file. is there anyway i can catch the $user and $password if posible variable?
in other words, i want the protected page to display his/her username. i have two options, write a login script in php and do it myself or get the info off the standard login program that comes with all the internet explorers.

[Duey]

why dont u use http auth in your php script instead of using .htaccess?

[hermzz]

i thought of that but since the server comes with the built in .htaccess thing, i thought i might be able to use it, and save some time.

[Duey]

well u cant pass .htaccess vars to php.

[hermzz]

ah ok...
thanks anyway