$_SERVER['http_referer'] returns blank in Internet Explorer
Thought I'd put a note about this as I spent ages rewriting an entire system. The HTTP_REFERER environment variable can be changed by the user anyway but I was using it as an additional validation check.
The only solution is to not use it for verification purposes as it will only work in every other browser except Internet Explorer (more specifically versions 6 and 7...???)
For more details: http://www.webmaster-talk.com/php-forum/19149-_server-http_referer-fails-under-internet-explorer.html
1&1's Kindest Review - Avoid them like the Plague!
I know they've already registered the domain www.ihateoneandone.com/net, oneandonereview.com, oneandonesucks.com (just in case you get any ideas)... Wouldn't be surprised if they also took www.oneandonesuck.com but hey ho, there's always the UK and other country variants... As for .COM, how about ih8oneandone.com? Oh the list could go on but how sad of a company to have to register domains that could be used negatively against it (isn't that "domain-hogging")...
What's the problem?
In October 2009, I realised that 1&1 charged me ~£60 per quarter (every 3 months) for their business package (1 domain name, 20Mb webspace, 2 MySQL databases on a Linux server). This is the same price as my hostgator account per year. 1&1 used to only provide me with 2 databases, a few hundred meg space for a website. Sounds great you say?
Not really. Oneandone used to block my IP when I would try to work on a website because apparently I uploaded/changed more files than average users, so rather than a developer, they saw me as a hacker... Of all my hosts, not only can most people hack websites housed on 1&1 servers (as I experienced) but I learnt how to do this too using their stupid ass website.
Unlike Hostgator who was giving me unlimited space with unlimited databases for less than a fiver a month. Note the price difference. I obviously asked for my package to be downgraded to a "Domain Name Registration" package (where I would only pay the registrars domain name fees). Their advice is to login to their website and use their "switch package" feature... Sorry folks! I'm a webdeveloper, I'm familiar with automation and analysing all interfaces from the inside out but I can guarantee this feature does not work for you. If you're a customer try it right now but don't be surprised if Oneandone refuse to downgrade you.
A picture of the Internet
Just a pretty picture on how hackers have created an infographic of the internet:
Source: BitBucket.Org - Internet Census 2012
About 5 seconds worth of fun
Really not work related but if you know your sharepoint site:
Custom Error
http://<My_SharePoint_Site>/_layouts/MySite.aspx?Error=You%20are%20a%20jerk%20and%20SharePoint%20does%20not%20share%20with%20jerks.
Installer?
Access MySQL databases using Oracle SQL Developer
So this is a quick article on how to install the mySQL add-on for Oracle SQL Developer v3.0.04.
Why?
I've used various mySQL administration tools to manage mySQL databases over the years, all freeware until someone expresses an interest in using it and then the supplier will implement restrictions and trial based versions. Oracle SQL Developer is currently free at time of print (01-FEB-2013).
I also need to use Oracle databases in my day job so the Oracle SQL developer is already a pre-approved software for our work computers. We have SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) as well for our SQL Server instances but it wasn't practical to link this to mySQL databases.
How?