k, i've got the home server set up , but for my site i want to use either .htaccess or basic http authorization. i've tried to get .htaccess to work but it..well...doesnt.

i've attached the two files, if someone could suggest something to do i'd be really greatful.

also does anyone know basic http authirization? i saw one on the internet but it didn't work

<?php
$auth = 0;
if (($PHP_AUTH_USER == "foo" ) && ($PHP_AUTH_PW == "bar" )) $auth = 1;
if ( $auth != 1 ) {
header( "WWW-Authenticate: Basic realm="Authorization Required!"" );
header( "HTTP/1.0 401 Unauthorized" );
echo 'Authorization Required!';
exit;
}
?>

what do i do?

I don't think .htaccess works on Windows XP. You may want to confirm this with someone else who is running a server on it. Anyways which webserver are you running? Apache? ISS?
-dk

apache. so if i can't use .htaccess, then it looks as if basic http authorization is the way to go. anyone know what was wrong with my script above?

Http authorization uses .htpasswd (like .htaccess) so it won't work either. I know! it is such a pain in the *** but apache windows is not designed for security

My advice. Get a cheap linux host.
I am using: http://www.sbyweb.net
and have had no problems. I only suggest them because they give you all the security access to htaccess, htpasswd, and any other security you might need.
-dk
-dk

i don't know the first thing about php coding. can someone take a bit of time just to write this code for me -

$user = admin
$password = syntax

once form is sent -

if $user = admin
and
$password = syntax

go to admin-home.php

if $user does not = admin
or
$password does not = syntax

return message - "Sorry, the user does not exist"

this can just be a simple php script, or it can be a mysql driven script. however it would be better if the script was text based.

cheers

Sorry exams are coming up. No time. Why not invest in a php book and be able to do it yourself? There are hundreds of good ones.
-dk

can anyone recommend a good php book that might also cover some mysql? (written in english) - If so just post 'em below.

cheers

Not a book.... but you could try:

http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/php/
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql/