just need to know what this nasty little message means

[mikeybabe]

Still Struggling with this:


Here is what I'm seeing



Warning: mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Unknown MySQL server host 'http' (1) in /home/pythoni/public_html/CMS100/Connections/localhost.php on line 9

Fatal error: Unknown MySQL server host 'http' (1) in /home/pythoni/public_html/CMS100/Connections/localhost.php on line 9

obviously means something is not right but what ?

[Jason Byrnes]

It means that the MySQL Host address you entered in the localhost.php file is not correct.

double check the value you have given to the following variable:
$hostname_localhost

Check with your host for the correct address to use for the MySQL Server.

[mikeybabe]

I should put my domain name between these quotes is that right ?

and is the syntax

http://www.mydomain.com

or is it

http://mydomain.com

or is it none of the above

[Jason Byrnes]

No, it is not the domain name. It is the address for the MySQL server.


Check with your host for the correct address to use for the MySQL Server.

[mikeybabe]

That would at least give some clue as to how this looks

I have contacted my host done everything they said

and it still doesn't work. I have now spent 3 days on

this for no results ?

[neilo]

Have you tried:

$hostname_localhost = "localhost";

That should work fine assuming you have uploaded the localhost.php file to your server.


[With mine, while I'm testing on my local machine, I use:

$hostname_localhost = "www.mydomain.com"; (mydomain is my domain name)

I'm able to use that on my local machine because I have set my username in mySql preferences in my control panel to allow % - which is a wildcard symbol means that it will accept connection from any source.]

But just localhost should be fine for a page that's been uploaded.

[neilo]

Incidentally, what did your hosting provider tell you to do?

That might help the people here to help you check if you're doing it right.

[mikeybabe]

They told me to use localhost as you suggest.

But "that suggestion" should be in the notes to give newbies

like myself some clue as to what they are on about and

at least vaguely what it looks like?


They should say something like typically this is "localhost" but

check with your host . . . blah blah.


Thank you for your help though Neil and your information was

quite correct although I don't totally understand your access on

your local machine and you sound like your on a PC I'm on a Mac

anyone who says Macs are easy to use is having themselves on ?


But aren't all computers COWS ?


Ciao,


Mike

[mikeybabe]

It means that the MySQL Host address you entered in the localhost.php file is not correct.

double check the value you have given to the following variable:
$hostname_localhost

Check with your host for the correct address to use for the MySQL Server.

Mike said:

$hostname_localhost="localhost"

was the reply from the host and the value

[neilo]

I agree with you entirely Mike,

I sometimes feel that the techie types - especially at WebAssist - are genetically incapable of understanding the difficulties that starters have with all of this stuff. Hence the length of some of these threads - when people have to keep posting back to try to get the 'pros' to explain what their last explanation actually meant. It can be like trying to get blood from a stone around here.

Someone from WebAssist could have simply said, 'have you tried: '$hostname_localhost = "localhost";' ?'

But no, that would be **** obvious for these guys.

Good luck

And yes, computers can be cows.

[Office Guy-172461]

Sometimes it's difficult to remember what you had to go through many years ago. I started when we had to figure out everything on our own.

I write articles explaining things as I discover the need so I don't think it is really fair to complain about the quality of the free help.

Here's a couple to get you started:
Logging into a MySQL database
http://www.ipvac.com/kb/entry/149/

10 Tips for getting quick help from a support forum
http://www.ipvac.com/kb/entry/145/

[mikeybabe]

Lighten up.

You've got to let us have a bit of a WINGE after all this pain we go through ( laughs )

And yes I found your articles very useful so I'll say thank you to YOU office guy because

in actuality you should take all credit for that because it was your article that helped me

solve that issue.


When I come home tonight I'm going to print it off and file it with my other power CMS

notes so that I never forget it.


But to be fair you are right. I feel that I am now getting some value for my money but

these programs do take some knowing initially so you can understand our frustration

at least I HOPE !!!!


Ciao,


Mike

[Office Guy-172461]

Wasn't directed at you Mike. In fact did you notice I adopted the handle you hung on me. :)

I don't need any credit. I own my company and the boss is very happy with me. :)

[neilo]

Sometimes it's difficult to remember what you had to go through many years ago. I started when we had to figure out everything on our own.


. . I don't think it is really fair to complain about the quality of the free help.


Yes it is difficult to remember, but then this is a support forum, and as WA is marketing their software as simple to use for non-tech types, then perhaps they should employ people who CAN remember, - who have the social as well as the technical skills. Or else they should market their software as 'not for beginners'. They can't have it both ways, sorry, but they just can't.

You don't think it's fair to complain about the free help. Rubbish. Support is always implied or specifically marketed as part of the product price. Show me a for-purchase software product that says "You're on your own once you've bought it." If the support for a product marketed as suitable for beginners is difficult to understand by that beginner, then he has a right - (I would say duty) to complain about it.

The advisers here are tech whizzes - we get that - we also get the whiff of impatience when we're slow to grasp what you guys take for granted. Good on you. But for many people their first business could be something far-removed from geeking at the computer - something that these tech guys know sod-all about, and they are just looking for a simple tool to help with what - for them - is their primary concern. They don't want to get bogged down in technical instructions, no matter how brilliant the instructors are.

I know you are a volunteer - and I appreciate and am in awe of the time you put into these threads. But I also think that you're in a perfect position (not being instrumental in developing the WA software) to understand the frustrations that people have - especially in a thread such as this where where one of the WA technical geniuses was incapable of instructing a beginner on a basic issue, to allow a customer - who just wants to get on with his job - to waste three days of his time, just because the technical genius couldn't bring himself to provide a simple answer to a simple question.

I know that you get that.

[neilo]

And I DO really appreciate the help that you give these forums. You provide good links and advice - and I feel you are slightly more in touch with the needs of the average punter around here than others seem to be. Thank you.

[Office Guy-172461]

But I also think that you're in a perfect position (not being instrumental in developing the WA software) to understand the frustrations that people have -

So what would you suggest I do about that - write articles that explain common problems, maybe?

Did you ever stop to think about how hard it is for the WA engineers to keep track of the individual's skill level as they bounce from thread to thread? Did you know that the average computer phone support tech burns out in less than a year?

Do you think criticizing their efforts is going to increase their desire to invest more time in an issue?

I have a major advantage. I can just walk away shaking my head whenever I want. They have to stick it out no matter how much abuse they get.

There is no way to make all of this stuff easy for any level of experience. I've earned a living at this for 30 years precisely because people were willing to pay the big bucks for someone to take care of their computer problems for them. It takes time to learn anything worth learning. People are willing to help along the way if they are given a chance.

[neilo]

So what would you suggest I do about that - write articles that explain common problems, maybe?

No, I expect WebAssist to write articles that explain common problems, definitely.

Did you ever stop to think about how hard it is for the WA engineers to keep track of the individual's skill level as they bounce from thread to thread? Did you know that the average computer phone support tech burns out in less than a year?

No, of course I don't, and neither should any of the beginners who bought the products because they were marketed as 'seasy to use' and 'no coding knowledge required'. Why should they (I) care about techies' burnout? Do you lose sleep over the burnout I'm having at MY job? Do you give a **** what MY job is? No, - because you shouldn't. That really is a lame point. FYI, I don't worry about the problems my postman, doctor, or the local fire crew are having either.

Do you think criticizing their efforts is going to increase their desire to invest more time in an issue?

Maybe it might encourage them to rethink their strategy. Hire some people who have both the technical skills AND an understanding of the frustrations that paying customers might come up with, not to mention the diplomatic nous to combine them both.

I have a major advantage. I can just walk away shaking my head whenever I want. They have to stick it out no matter how much abuse they get.

The're getting 'abuse'? Haven't seen any. Did you mean criticism? Well yes, - thats the nature of the job. They also get the cash. That's the deal.

There is no way to make all of this stuff easy for any level of experience. I've earned a living at this for 30 years precisely because people were willing to pay the big bucks for someone to take care of their computer problems for them. It takes time to learn anything worth learning. People are willing to help along the way if they are given a chance.

Sorry, - so now you're saying that people should be hiring experienced people to be doing the work for them, instead of kidding themselves that they can get the job done by buying a few extensions? Now you've really lost me.

People are willing to help along the way if they are given a chance.

Yes, I know. I've already thanked you personally for that, and I am grateful to anyone who is generous enough to freely offer their time and knowledge, out of kindness.

[Office Guy-172461]

Hey, as soon as you find some of these perfect techs with superb people skills and years of tech experience, let me know and I'll hire some. We all know how easy it is to write documentation for all skill levels and cultures, so I'm sure that will come with the package.

The best techs I've known, were not even allowed to have contact with the public. It tends to be opposite sides of the park.

Someone from WebAssist could have simply said, 'have you tried: '$hostname_localhost = "localhost";' ?' is helpful - But no, that would be **** obvious for these guys. is not.

so now you're saying that people should be hiring experienced people to be doing the work for them, Isn't that why people hire web designers? If everyone could master everything, there would be no professionals.

The're getting 'abuse'? Haven't seen any. Did you mean criticism? Well yes, - thats the nature of the job. They also get the cash. That's the deal. Believe it or not, cash does not make up for all things. I instruct my techs to immediately report any unprofessional behavior on the client's part, and leave the site if they feel it's necessary. I would rather lose a client than a good tech.

I'm not asking you to "give a ****", I'm hopping you'll see that you will be the one that benefits from giving them some slack.

[neilo]

The best techs I've known, were not even allowed to have contact with the public.

Well, I can certainly understand that.

I wish I had a first name for you, OfficeGuy.

Look I'm not in this for an argument with you or anyone, although it's a long time since I felt compelled to post a point-by-point rebuttal, I'm just trying to explain to someone who will listen just how frustrating it can be for a beginner when assumptions are made about his technical ability.

We have to begin from a standpoint that many - if not most - people who buy these extensions do so because they are assured that they are easy to use, and require no coding. Would you agree with that? We can deduce from that that many - if not most - of these people (I am one) will have some problems with the very basic stuff.

I appreciate the highly skilled nature of the tech's work - but perhaps that is part of the problem; perhaps those with the greatest technical computer skills should not be here explaining things to the entirely unskilled, their talents would be better placed improving the existing, and creating new products.

I truly believe that there should be some people who have <em>sufficent</em> skills to cover the bulk of the support work - and that this should be their <em>only</em> role with WebAssist. Any problems that they cannot handle, they can then refer to the likes of Ray and then report back with the solution.

This would release WA's prime resource to do what they do best, and leave us with advisors who can truly grasp what we're going through, they may remember the experience of going through it themselves. I can imagine that for someone who is in the process of creating reams of code for a new project it must - as you suggest - be a skill-shock to have to answer a question about localhost.

This is a serious, well-meant suggestion, not a pop at WebAssist for the sake of it.

I don't know what you're getting at with the 'unprofessional behaviour on the client's part'; is that for me?

I take your point about "I would rather lose a client than a good tech". But then one presumably has to ask (as a professional) "How many clients am I prepared to lose over an un-empathic support team?

I've said elsewhere on these pages that I don't know what I'd do without my WA extensions, and I've said that I do appreciate the help that is given here. It is just a bit painful to see the occasional thread where people come with the same problems that I have been through, looking for the same advice that I looked for and being given the same complicated jargon that I got.

That's all I have on this, I don't mean to offend or criticise for the sake of it, my intention is ultimately to be helpful - mostly to newcomers like myself, but also circuitously to Webassist through passing on my perceptions. I don't think it's entirely possible to suggest improvements without hinting at failings, but I will try to keep it on the positive side.

Neil H