AOL 5.0 and PHP???

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nufferkay
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Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:27 pm

AOL 5.0 and PHP???

Post by nufferkay »

So someone recently informed me that she can't access one of my sites, which happens to be templated using PHP. When she tries, it just downloads an "untitled" file to her desktop, which when she double-clicks attempts unsuccessfully to open in Acrobat (!).

Here's the rub - she's using AOL 5.0 for Mac b/c her outdated hardware won't run anything more recent - so there's no asking her to upgrade her browser.

Has anyone run into this before? Is it a problem with AOL's browser not recognizing the .php extension as something to display as HTML? Or is it something else?

Any ideas on workarounds?

thanks,
-N
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no_memories
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Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 7:12 pm
Location: New York City

Post by no_memories »

Well,

There is always a solution. AOL binds to all kinds of a computer's TCP/IP resources but you can still run a third party browser - Mozilla Firebird.

The problem isn't so much not being able to use another browser as won't. I tell people straight up about AOL, especially old versions, it's a propriatary Internet software package that isn't completely compatable with web technology.

I know this doesn't address the core issue you mentioned, but this may not be a PhP problem at all. But rather a known bug in that version of AOL software. That's why they are pumping out a "ALL NEW" AOL vXXXX every 6 months. Of course getting a plain ole dial-up for these AOL lovers is just unheard of, lol.

AOL should be banished to the outskirts of hell for trying to strangle the Internet with yet another bloated hunk of crap Internet Service "program".

I would recommend to her she get Firebird for just such instances.
nufferkay
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Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 2:27 pm

Post by nufferkay »

Thanks - I wish I could switch her to a new browser, but she's running Mac OS 8.6, and there is no version of Firebird. The best I could do is convince her to run Netscape 4 (ugh!).

Update on the problem: It's not PHP specifically - she can load Zend's pages. I'm going to have to figure out whether it's the XHTML or something, or maybe a server issue.

-N
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twigletmac
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Post by twigletmac »

Check the file type that your pages are being served as - it may be that the server is sending them out as something other than text/html causing an issue with her software.

Mac
Steveo31
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Location: San Jose CA

Post by Steveo31 »

Yea, I've got AOL 9.0... can't stand it. Runnin Firebird. :D :D
nufferkay
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Post by nufferkay »

twiglet - how do I figure out what the file type is served as?

thx,
-N
malcolmboston
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Posts: 1826
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 1:09 pm
Location: Middlesbrough, UK

Post by malcolmboston »

the extension

index.php -> PHP file
index.html -> HTML file
index.doc -> word file

etc etc
Illusionist
Forum Regular
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Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 9:32 pm

Post by Illusionist »

to all you suggesting Firebird and/or running Firebird, its outdated... Get Firefox!! There aren't as many Extensions, yet, but they're comming!
malcolmboston
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Posts: 1826
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 1:09 pm
Location: Middlesbrough, UK

Post by malcolmboston »

why the hell would anyone ever get AOL!?

even there free trial is a rip off, constant disconnections super lag on gaming, awful ISP, seriously awful

and 'chosen' mail servers only mean major head ache for PHP programmers when trying to send e-mails to gy@aol.com

take my advice - stay clear
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