Active Content On Cache Pages?

[+Huga]

I recently set up a cache for a bunch of caching friends at a barbecue, that can be seen here: http://www.iancowley.co.uk/caching/cachepage.shtml.

 

If you refresh the page, you'll see that the clues for the multi are different every time.

 

The page is generated by server-side PHP embedded in the shtml file. Basically, there's a list of clues that the script can select from to get each required digit, and thus the page is randomly generated, but still correct.

 

The idea behind developing this was so that when 20 people went off looking for the cache, they all had a different journey.

 

Now, I've turned this cache into a permanent GC.com one, but I can;t get any active content to work. I've tried JavaScript, PHP, SSI (shtml stuff) and none of it works. So for the time being, the cache has become a traditional.

 

So my question is: Is there any way to get active content into GC.com pages? I guess in this case it's static active, but you know what I mean...

[+Mopar]

I can;t get any active content to work. I've tried JavaScript, PHP, SSI (shtml stuff) and none of it works. So for the time being, the cache has become a traditional.

 

So my question is: Is there any way to get active content into GC.com pages?

Cool idea, but I sure hope the answer to your question is no. Nothing against you personally, but I really don't want unknown servers unexpectedly pushing content without my permission.

[+WindChill]

And, what would get generated in the PQ? Presumably nothing, so the paperless cacher has none of the clues.

[Jeremy]

Javascript injection is a big problem online. You can do all sorts of nasty thinks to people when they browse a page and javascript is running. Since I can't tell the good stuff from the bad stuff, I opt out of it entirely.

 

My suggestion would be to allow people to make their own choice on a cache by making it a mystery cache and forcing people to visit your page in order to run it. I would ask, however, that you would refrain from making the page look like the geocaching.com site, so people are well aware they are no longer on our site.

[+Huga]

Yeah, I agree that Javascript is evil in all its forms, but what about PHP?

 

PHP is a server-side script, exactly like the .asp that generates cache pages in the first place. Server-side scripting such as this *cannot* do anything nasty to the user browsing the page, as all it does is generate HTML.

 

Can we have PHP enabled maybe?

 

That would also circumvent the PQ issue (I think...), as the PHP generates the relevant HTML whenever it is accessed from the server.

[Jeremy]

So can I give you the ability to execute code on my web servers? Are you kidding me?

[+pcmike]

So can I give you the ability to execute code on my web servers? Are you kidding me?

[ju66l3r]

Why not just put this on your cache page here at GC.com:

 

-> Go here to get the clues to the offset: [insert website link here]

 

Then link to where ever you choose to have the dynamic page running (after altering it so that it doesn't look like GC.com).

 

Your clues are still generated and you're listed here.

[+trippy1976]

If you're good at coding with PHP you can have a script on your server produce a graphic with the clue actually in the graphic. Then you just include the graphic in your gc.com page as you would any img tag.

 

<img src="yourimgscript.php"> will plop the image right in the page. If the image script randomized the output, each time the page loaded and the graphic is called - you'd get a new clue.

Edited August 3, 2004 by trippy1976

[Jeremy]

That's sort of what I was getting at. Link elsewhere so you have full control of your puzzle generation.

 

Unfortunately a disconnected GPX file will not pull that data when you are paperless caching, so that may limit the number of people who will do it.

[+kayakanimal]

OK...kind of off topic but...

Was looking at the cache page and noticed your note...

 

May 29 by Huga (1,209,234 found)

Go get it!

 

1,209,234 FOUND??? Someone has been a busy boy!

Edited August 4, 2004 by kayakanimal

[+GeoBlank]

You might be able to add an Iframe (floating frame) in your descritiona and the source culd be on your own web server. The end user would not know the difference if you marked it up correctly.

 

<iframe width="90%" border="0" src="http://my random page that outputs html"></iframe>

 

This gives you a dynamic piece of realestate that you control.

 

(of course this goes against the grain of making it not look like gc.com since it would be embedded).

 

It would also not help anyone that is browsing offline...

[+planetrobert]

You might be able to add an Iframe

iframes i believe are disallowed

[Jeremy]

IFRAME is disallowed because it allows the same thing, except now you're actually giving someone a window for someone else to inject whatever they want,

[+planetrobert]

i think that the idea of linking to an image created with a php script at random is the best solution if it is allowed here.

 

also i am a pq user and if i was out caching and noticed a problem with a cache that i needed a printout then I would go the old paper method for this one. just because some of us PQ search doesnt' mean we forgot how to use a printer.

[Jeremy]

Yeah, referencing dynamic images from other locations on the 'net on cache pages are fine.

[+garri]

i think that the idea of linking to an image created with a php script at random is the best solution if it is allowed here.

 

also i am a pq user and if i was out caching and noticed a problem with a cache that i needed a printout then I would go the old paper method for this one. just because some of us PQ search doesnt' mean we forgot how to use a printer.

I don't want to waste 40$ buying a color cartridge for my printer yet!

 

Use Plucker!

[+garri]

Forms are also disallowed in cache pages.

 

Has anybody doing nasty thinks with a single form with inputs and a single submit button?

[Jeremy]

Has anybody doing nasty thinks with a single form with inputs and a single submit button?

Yes. But I'm not going to give you any evil ideas.