PHP Flat File Guestbook Documentation
List of files and their uses
Below is a list of files that are needed for this script to function, and what each one does.
- Files found in the 'www' folder:
- ffgb_config.php
This file is used to store the Configurable Settings for the Guestbook.
- ffgb_replace.php
This file allows you to add or edit the smilies (and other replaceable words) the Guestbook can recognise. For example, you can use this page to add a bad-word filter.
- ffgb_count.php
This file stores the current number of Guestbook files. Once a Guestbook file has been filled, a new one is created.
- ffgb_admin.php
This file is used to allow the Guestbook owner to manage comments.
- guestbook.php
The Guestbook file itself. You will want to point your visitors to this page to read existing comments and post new Guestbook entries.
- Folder: ffgb_comments
This folder stores Guestbook files. Once a Guestbook file is filled with comments, a new Guestbook file is created.
- ffgb_comments/ffgb_1.php
The first Guestbook entries file. New ones will be created when necessary, and will receive the same name but with the number increased by 1 each time.
- ffgb_config.php
The Guestbook's main page
The main page of the Guestbook is the page your visitors will see and reply on.
- The Pagelist.
If your Guestbook has more than one page, links to each of the pages will be shown here, as well as a basic "Forward"/"Back" navigation link.
- A visitor comment.
Active comments that have not been disabled or removed will be shown like this. They will have the subject at the top (if one has been provided); the date and time the comment was posted below; the visitors URL if one has been provided and they have been set to be displayed; A block of text which is the visitors comment itself, and then the visitors name and (optionally) email address at the bottom right of the comment. If email addresses are shown and the visitor has provided one, the visitors name can be clicked on to send them an email.
- The new comment form.
If your website accepts new comments, a visitor can fill out this form and click "Post Comment" to add a new visitor comment to your website.
- The Manage this Guestbook link.
This link takes you to the Login form for the Administration area.
The Administration area login form
The Login form to access to Administration Area. This can be accessed by providing the username and password provided via the ffgb_config.php file (see: Configurable Settings).
The Administration and Management Area
The main Administration Area lets you manage posts on your Guestbook. Posts can be Activated or Deactivated, Removed or Un-removed.
- The Logout link
This link simply removes you from the Administration area and removes the saved authentication information from your computer (important if accessing the website from a public or shared PC).
- View comments By Book
Select the book from the drop down list, and click the "View Book" button to show all comments in the selected Guestbook.
- Searching for Comments
You can search for comments by IP address, Subject, name or email address. For each of these, wildcards '*' can be used. For example, search where the "Email Address" is "*@hotmail.*" would find all comments where the visitor provided a hotmail email address.
- The matched comments
The comments matching the search criteria or in the book you are viewing. Inactive comments are marked in grey, and removed comments are marked in red. Checking the boxes for the desired comments allows you to modify their status.
- Modify selected comments
Comments that have had their checkboxes ticked can now be modified. you can select the Activate / Accept comments (make them visible), Deactivate (make comments invisible), Remove (Count comments as refused), or Un-remove (undo the refusal of comments). Deactivated or Removed comments are not shown to visitors.