Development Quality

Sending PHP MimeMail with Embedded Pictures

Floh — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:58:30 +0000

When using commercial signatures regularly, company logos and even the personal picture are sent with them. Frequently, you find the picture as attachment and not within the text but as by far more important application possibility, the MimeMail class can be integrated into a newsletter system. For editing, one field for a text message and one for a HTML message is available. At last, all necessary pictures are embedded accordingly. Besides it is also possible to enclose real attachments to the e-mail and to send it to many different recipients.

The PHP MimeMail class offers the following advantages:

Sending of text-based e-mail
Sending of HTML-based e-mail
Embedding pictures
Further other attachments
All these functions combined
Header information can be manipulated or amended
Setting the priority of an e-mail

The biggest advantages are that a mail client which is not HTML compatible only displays the text version, that all files are embedded in HTML e-mails and do not need to be reloaded from a possibly blocked server. The script was tested with the well-established e-mail programs, amongst others Mozilla Thunderbird, Opera Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Mail, KMail, Mac Mail.

Here, I would like to show you how easy an implementation is. Already a few lines of source code are enough to use the class:

/* create new MimeMail */
$mime = new MimeMail();
/* set sender of the e-mail */
$mime -> setSender( "$name <$email>" );
/* set recipient of the e-mail */
$mime -> setRecipient( "$name <$email>" );
/* set subject */
$mime -> setSubject( $subject );
/* possibly add another new header */
$mime -> addHeader( "Organization", "PYADES Technologies GmbH" );
/* set the priority of the e-mail */
$mime -> setPriority( "3" );
/* set HTML area */
$mime -> setHtml( $html );
/* add embedded files – the correct pictures are allocated through  - the IDs are continuous */
$mime -> addEmbeddedAttachement( $file, $mimetype );
/* set basic text area */
$mime -> setPlain( $plain );
/* add further attachments */
$mime -> addAttachment( $file, $mimetype );
/* send the e-mail */
$mime -> sendMimeMail();

Furthermore, you will find a detailed description of the function in the file.

Determination of the Position using Google Maps

Floh — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:06 +0000

Using Google Maps you have new possibilities for displaying content at defined positions. The most difficult part thereby is to generally define and use the position correctly. The following figure shows a position search as well as a preview of the created content which can additionally be positioned per drag and drop on the map. The exact coordinates are displayed which can be processed further later on in order to create an overall view of the map. It is also possible to integrate this created content into the system on Google Maps.

Live view:

The manual for the installation itself can be found in the download section. Due to the delivered documentation it is very simple to integrate this application adjusted to the needs of everyone.

Data Migration of Different Systems

Floh — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:17:16 +0000

It is increasingly becoming more important that various architectures work together smoothly and with time savings on different systems. There are divers configurations where a migration could be reasonable. I would like to introduce a possibility to find a solution by using a day-to-day problem.

Different data structures with various operating systems and multiple-shift usage

They access various databases from different clients. The various databases as well as the different operating systems are thereby causing problems, as the base is in a non-consolidated state until manual or automatic migration. Multiple-shift usage additionally loads the network and demands more from the user as should be necessary. Please look at the following configuration, which can be frequently encountered:

We can offer a real-time solution to this problem. Depending on the database and the complexity of the clients, such a project is usually realizable within six months on average. Savings are guaranteed immediately after restructuring as we pay attention to constant functionality during the development. Approved functions from all systems are adapted intelligently. Certainly, your own functions can also be implemented during the same step and can be advanced according to your needs. After a migration, your system will look as follows:

When directly comparing, you can determine that dropping out database servers and different client software can lead to massive savings.

Certainly, the migration of databases is a long-term investment – however, I also offer a reliable solution therefor. You will have a small risk when performing an analysis of needs within your company at a fixed price of 1,500.00 euro plus VAT per day. Depending on your system’s size, an analysis on-site with respective contact person usually takes one day. Thereafter, you will be assured about the real scope and you will also have an analysis regarding cost reduction.