Without getting into XML-RPC (or services similar):
Situation:
Users install a msg board package that uses MySQL/PHP. This kit has a user authentication area built in (simply a users table w/ user/pass). In order to post to this board, clients must 'register'.
Unfortunatly, clients must 'register' on every message board they sign up onto (within this kit; different board kits use different table structure).
Idea:
I will host a master server that will host all the user information for any installation of the msg board package. Whenever a new client 'signs up', their information will be hosted on my central server. Then, regardless of the board they decide to post onto, they are already registered (within the msg board package).
Similar to:
Microsoft Passport. Very small start, but I'm looking to add more domains, more packages, all into one central point.
I'm sure XML-RPC would help immensly, but I need to keep the barrier-to-entry very low since I have no control over the users servers.
My problem: how the 'heck' do I get the users servers to connect to mine in order to run the 'authentication' (simply a mysql_query that checks if the user/pass combo is correct)? Should I ask the users to connect to my db, or should I simply run a php-script on my server that sends an auth/noauth back to the users server?
Anyone?
