PHP Scripting
What would you say if we said you could add a photo gallery to your website, a forum or maybe a blog? It seems that many of our members would say “when can I have it?”, and I’m happy to answer: sooner than you think! You spoke, we listened, and soon we’ll be rolling out PHP scripting support to a small group of users for a controlled beta test. Here’s Gordon, a manager in our technology development group, to tell you a little bit about it. - Rochelle
There’s been a small but steady buzz from members asking for the ability to add dynamic content to their websites with PHP scripting. PHP allows you to add pages to your site that change whenever the underlying data changes. It’s an excellent way to manage data that changes frequently, like lists and pictures of products, or comments from your customers in a user forum. A PHP application organizes your data and displays it in a crisp, professional way that can really enhance a website.
For the controlled beta test we’re enabling PHP support for four of the most popular applications: WordPress (for blogs), phpBB (for user forums), Image Gallery (guess what that’s for) and MediaWiki (the engine that makes Wikipedia work). Other apps are under review; if you have a specific recommendation, please let us know about it.
We’re excited about the PHP program and would like to get started quickly, so if you’re interested in participating in the beta test please visit us at http://phpsupport.homestead.com Fill out the form you’ll find there and tell us what your interests in PHP are, and how you’d like to use it. For those who aren’t yet ready but would like to know more about PHP and dynamic website content, give us a call, we’ll be happy to help you.
Thanks!
July 26, 2007 at 6:21 am
Finally. Of course you think it’s a just ’small but steady buzz.’ Actually I believe that there are way more of us out here. Some just gave up on you already and got other hosting for their blogs, others just don’t know about this blog of yours yet so they haven’t given you any feedback here, many more may just be silent (it’s not like you took a poll to determine actual numbers), and I bet you’ve lost a lot of customer sign-ups because you are offering this service only now.
Blogging has caught THE WORLD by storm. You must have known that years ago when you added the feed reader to the Sitebuilder. Time Magazine selected YOU (meaning US) as Person of the Year because of all the blogging and sharing that was going on.
I did sign up for the Beta Program because I’ve been asking for these features for a long time now, although I now maintain about 5 blogs using WordPress and another hosting company just for my blogs. Blogs are important because they provide fresh content and are good for SEO (Yahoo loves new pages added weekly — and you can’t do that always with a static website) plus site visitors love the opportunity to comment. The cheesy homestead guest books just aren’t working for me or my site visitors.
July 26, 2007 at 11:23 am
I’m not really familiar with PHP, but it sounds cool. I’m looking forward to experimenting with it when it’s available.
July 30, 2007 at 11:57 am
i do hope this works out coz i am having a hard time switching from websites. i carry two sites here at homestead…
http://www.mahryska.com
http://www.theweddingweavers.com
i would love to be able to link up directly and support my blogs which are currently at wordpress.
thanks!!!
July 30, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I am one of those that got tired of waiting on a forum here…..I use the “PHP”….I would like to use the Image Gallery as I have a ton of photos currently at Photobucket
July 30, 2007 at 3:22 pm
We are not very familiar with the actual programming of PHP yet we know that we must have it. We have much planned for our site with online customization of our custom poker tables and I believe PHP will be there to help.
http://www.nollgaming.com
July 31, 2007 at 1:43 pm
You (Homestead) gave birth to Photosite and then they went off on their own — I used it extensively to share photos on several of my websites.
Now their quitting and I am trying to decide where to transfer my photo albums — Would love to try this PHP as a solution.
July 31, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Kinda about time dont you think?
July 31, 2007 at 7:35 pm
BTW.. What you guys need to do is revamp the look of your current tools ( guest book , polls…….) Those are just ugly and unusable. Its amazing to me that you do not take the time to do this. ty
August 1, 2007 at 5:45 am
yeah definately! would also love to have my photos here at homestead. so im looking forward to this. hopefully it will be user-friendly, too!!
August 2, 2007 at 6:23 am
I am VERY happy to hear this. Both the blog and photo albums will be used heavily by me. Thank you!
Oh, and, I send that idea of making the guestbooks more visually pleasing. Please? Thanks!!
August 4, 2007 at 9:41 pm
This addition will greatly benefit Homestead’s clients (Blogs, Forums, Reservations..etc.), and I hope that Homestead will continue to keep up with the ever-evolving web/internet technology and trends.
August 5, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I for one was in the process of setting up a new host for a forum and my web pages. I fully intended to drop Homestead once I found a programmer to set up my site with the forum. If you are going to offer a forum that will meet my needs, I would prefer to stay with you for my site(s). I have years with Homestead (new again this year) and years ago.
In my book Homestead has always been number 1, but as time goes by you were slipping in keeping up with the rest of the world. I hope you add the forum features soon. I need one like yesterday.
If you have a test on the forum that I can sign up with, let me know as I really would like to transfer my new domain to you and place everything with you.
Thank you again for the great service you provide.
August 6, 2007 at 1:55 am
I am definately interested in the PHP compatability. I would really like to have a blog for my site and on my site and am also interested in experimenting with other features of PHP.
I am not to familiar with it, but I know it can be a very powerful tool for my business. So lets get it rolling.
August 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I am in desperate need of a photo program now that PhotoSite is going out of buisness. I use Photosite to display a client’s portfolio and have not been able to find another program that works as well. Any suggestions? I would appreciate your input.
Thanks!
August 9, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Hi, Tracy,
With PHP, you can add a photo gallery to your website. If you’re interested in participating in Homestead’s PHP beta test, please fill out the form at http://phpsupport.homestead.com.
August 13, 2007 at 8:41 am
Dear Homestead CEO/FOUNDERS
I have clung on to homestead since 2000 when your homestead services where free! I have been a member since the day you first started Homestead. I grew with your services and for a long time I awaited for you all to offer a more advance scripting such as php and others advance codes. As for many homestead members i know have left Homestead due to no advances in your homestead features. Youdonkey.com is a prime a example. I honestly felt like giving up because I felt stuck not being able to expand in my business needs. I just could not complete my websites because Homestead never offered the remaining tools I needed. All my websites are 1/2 completed. I am still awaiting and clinging on to Homestead for that advance that so many hosting services are offering today. I’m still here, I really would like for Homestead to have available a script where you can self post. For instance, a program that allows a visitor to upload a photo to your site and a posted message on site such as like an online classified. I would also like log in database for members to log in to their own page I create for them. You all will be the best hosting service since you have a wonderful site builder program if you just add the remaining features. I will wait patiently, but please hurry I have so much time left to complete my college courses and I would like to use Homestead as a business from home. I would like to build websites for companies and promote your services by signing up my costumers to your monthly hosting fee. I hope I can still be able to participate in your Homestead Builders Program. I have notices that it is no longer available. Please let me know on how I can get my old builders program account back soon. Thanks so much! May your hosting services advances succeed and your staff be blessed with many new ideas and advance progress this year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bilboat
( A True Homestead Member)
August 17, 2007 at 10:02 am
Dear Mrs. Bilboat,
The Homestead Builders Program no longer exists, but you might be interested in our Affiliates Program. For more information, follow this link.
http://www.homestead.com/affiliates/
Best,
Michelle
August 18, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Great news! I’ve learned a great deal from Homestead and I can’t wait to learn PHP with the use/help of the Site Builder application. Indeed the question is “When can I have it?” Thanks!
August 19, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I recall opening a free account a long long time ago back when I was in 6th grade (currently in college), but like Mr. Bilboat I have been waiting a long long time for you to offer something… anything, but you kept waiting… and waiting… and waiting…
I now run about 13 different websites and consume around 5 Gigs of space, but it’s all elsewhere because you took too long to come up with anything!
I still have my original homestead account which I use for a local photo club as it’s easy for them to work on when I can’t make changes, but I have always felt held back because of your services.
I even help another group that spun off from my account to it’s own, and they have run into the same problem with the lack of abilities to do things.. They used to post all their pictures on their site using your service, but the amount of time (2 hr per 100 photos just in site builder) (Before Photosite)
They never got into photosites which is a good thing, but they have been forced to have someone else put their pictures online for them. At any time that person could leave and they would be stranded again with several thousand photos on the floor so to speak.
I happened across your blog and found this post and it’s gotta be the best news I have heard in the last 2-3 years! All I can say is Finally something.
You still have SO MUCH to catch up on I can only hope you don’t go outa business before you start to support some of the stuff.
For example you only give me 5 email addresses for 19.99 a month when for that same 19 I can get an account with 3 domain names and unlimited email address on each of those domains…
One would think marketing perk… 1,000 email addresses for that 19 oh goodie another point to sell people!
100 MB of space… again for 19…
Can’t you afford to give someone a gig or two? I can get a free email account with 2.5+ Gigs of space…
Ok, I will give you credit you offer unlimited web pages, but for the amount of money you want it’s a wonder your still in business…
Oh, you also have that easy to use program which works good if you have an account.. (A drop down of accounts you use frequently would be nice for those supporting 2+ accounts….)
Yea, you have PHP support coming, but I must still wonder if it’s too little to late…. I know you already lost 13 sites plus all the extra money for space and bandwidth…
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Patrick
August 27, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Hi Rochelle,
Any idea of when the trail process would begin, or when is homestead planning to actually implement the php support?
I know that these kinds of additions require some time, but it would be great if we could be provided with an aproximate timeline of when we could expect the php support to be implemented.
I’m really glad and happy that homestead has finally decided to upgrade their services, but, like Patrick (above), I’m having a bit of a diffcult time staying with homestead; considering everything that other hosting companies are offering - for the same amount of money.
I’ve just opened an account with mediatemple.net where I’m planning to slowly transfer to, but my hopes are that homestead will try and speed up this process because, as many others have noted, these types of services are way over-due.
You have a solid and loyal client base. I also understand that majority of them may not have much knowledge regarding web development and design, but for those that do know a thing or two and need more (in order to keep up with the rest), please do your best to keep up with todays web technology and trends.
Best regards,
- Damir
August 27, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I’m planing to refresh my web site. I’m very interesting in photo gallery since I’m a photographer. Do you know when this PHP will be ready?
September 15, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Hi,
I’m really glad to hear all the good news with the PHP coming but I have to agree with everyone else… When? I have had my account “forever” but haven’t done anything with it because the features I wanted just haven’t been there! I have built my sites elsewhere and have 3 blogs too! To be honest, my husband continued to pay the bill and I never got around to cancelling the service! I just put this site up because some friends need the site up quick and I said I could do it, so I did. Let’s just say they weren’t very picky and didn’t want any bells and whistles. Come to think of it, they wouldn’t know a bell or whistle if it hit them on the head so it really didn’t matter! I let someone else enter some stuff and they made one hell of a mess! So much for “I know Homestead!” I don’t even know where to start in fixing those pages! I swear I’ll never let my laptop out of my sight again!
Anyway… I hope the changes come faster than the next millenium. I have a new idea and another site would be nice. And since I’m a little warmed up with this last fiasco, well… It may worth trying another.
September 20, 2007 at 8:59 am
I too have been a long time Homestead Customer and while I welcome the new PHP stuff and the rounded corners as enhancements, the enhancements are too slow in coming.
I keep waiting and waiting for new more advanced features to be added - I simply can’t and won’t use most of the banners and other items that are available thorugh the Homestead program as I think they just look too junky and don’t project a professional image that I want - all the birthday stuff and what not is of no interest to me -
I’m still hanging in there with two sites I have through homestead - but there are so many other features they could and should incorporte into the system -for one - I have to so often use 3rd party apps to subscribe to - for example, I host a site for a homeowners community where people need to create a user name and password to log into the homeowner only section - I can’t maintain password and id’s via homestead so I have to subscribe to http://www.authpro.com to manager this piece of it - keep up the good work homestead, but please please start adding enhancements with more frequent regularity - thanks.
September 22, 2007 at 10:21 pm
I was chosen as a beta tester for the php blog. I wasn’t told when this would begin or how I would be notified the blog had been installed. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have build php sites in the past and I am looking forward to using php with my homestead account.
Thanks
November 20, 2007 at 7:52 am
I want to thank the Homestead PHP Beta team for installing a WordPress blog on my Homestead site. The blog is working like a Swiss watch, and I’ve started writing decent posts this week.
The benefit of having a real blog on MY DOMAIN is huge. After being a “guest” on other sites (blogger.com is only one example), I am very happy to use my own domain and my own file system for the blog. It also makes a difference when you’re thinking of search engine marketing, search engine optimization etc..
Thank you PHP beta team - you’re the best!
[virtual ponpons]
November 21, 2007 at 1:55 pm
i have signed up about ten times and never herd back.
November 22, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Going up for the future
December 3, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Will these features be available for storefront users as well? I am trying to expand my site beyond just a store by offering articles and helpful information. Dynamic content would be icing on the cake for building customer loyalty.
December 4, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Unfortunately, our php beta program is not currently available for StoreFront customers. However, we have heard this request from a number of Store customers and we’re definitely keeping it in mind for future releases.
Thanks!
-Rochelle
December 5, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I have five databases.
Regards,
CMS,
Sergio’s World Beers
Email : generalmailbox@sergiosworldbeers.com
http://sergiosworldbeers.com
December 27, 2007 at 9:13 am
I am very excited about php being realeased….I am wanting to have rss feeds on my site that are in php and not javascript….I am also very exicted about having mysql. When do you think that this will be released?
Thanks,
Brittani
December 29, 2007 at 4:01 am
Our program is still in the midst of the Beta process, and although we don’t have a release date yet - we’re working to release it as soon as we can. We’ll definitely be blogging about it when the program is launched, so keep checking here for updates!
January 2, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I am also interested in php support to do blogging and place rss feeds into my site. A photobucket like application would be great too.
January 19, 2008 at 2:24 am
I’m a long time Homestead customer also. I’m so glad that I read your blog because I’ve been thinking about changing hosts. I just hope that you will release this very soon because I’m in need of my wordpress blog and a forum on my site. I would hate to have to find another host.
April 1, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I was a Homestead user back in 2001-2002. I found that the site builder was quick and easy to make webpages. I am currently using it as a landing page, but would really like to use php for building a database.