Need Your Opinion Regarding Older Version of PHP

PlumLoopy

I have a client who uses GoDaddy which runs PHP Version 4.2.2 .

I've created a script that has a central function of uploading images, resizing, thumbnailing, etc. Apparently, GoDaddy is also running GD Version 1.6.2. Because of this, I'm unable to alter GIF files and the JPEG compression is piss-poor. The image quality is unacceptable for my uses.

Is there no hope? Do I need to advise my client to switch servers or is there another way?

And besides the main point, why is a company so prevalent and popular using such an OLD version? Are they cheap? Lazy? Every other provider that I looked at had a MUCH newer version of PHP, and GD 2.0.28.

Thanks for your help,

Chris

dalecosp

There is some consensus on the web that sounds like "godaddy is great for domain registration and the girl in the ad has great knockers, but their hosting sUX0rz...."

Maybe you've got a point of evidence for that statement. I personally don't know. I've got a domain or two registered, but I run my own servers.....

TheDefender

So, you come here, complaining to us (which is fine... that's what we're here for, right?) about GoDaddy's older software... Uhhhh, here's a novel idea, since this site is neither owned, nor operated by the folks at GoDaddy, and I have as yet to meet a GoDaddy employee on these boards... Try posing this question to them directly and keep hounding them until they upgrade... (Just a thought).

PlumLoopy

I'm not just complaining - I'm saying "I'm new to this, maybe the version isn't my problem." I figure experienced folks might simply say to me, "Yeah, it's older, but just because their PHP dates to 2003 doesn't mean that there weren't other ways to do it then. Look into THIS alternative of image manipulation.

Plus I don't have the luxury of time in regards to pressuring them to upgrade.

TheDefender

Well, if it isn't 2.0.28, then it's old... Problem is, even the most recent previous verion is too old, since they only re-established support for GIF in the latest release. Either way, using the GD library is your best bet for image manipulation... Have you ever considered using the PNG format? It's generally usable by all browser types and OS platforms, has support for transpaerency, and is better than the jpg compression algorithms anyhow... Only the oldest of old browsers would be excluded...