Setting Up passwords and Usernames

[razorsharp]

Hi,
I need to know how to set up user names and passwords. I know about the Password protect directory on Hostmonster and I set up a user name and password for myself. It sits in .htpasswds in the FTP. I need to know what I need to make that become interactive with the main page. I want a user name password box to appear. If the user has a subscription they enter their info and move about the site. If not it loads the main page with many links disabled which acts as a preview. Does Hostmonster let me do this? What extra code do I need? Of course I only want them to imput their indormation once per login.

[esabogal]

Normally I go with the easy way by using a content management system like: Mambo or Joomla. You can install them via Fantastico on the CPanel.

[charlesgan]

you can setup password protected folder from cpanel.

here is sample of how it is done in BH
http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/kb/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=267

[razorsharp]

Thanks,
I plan on learning some of those fantastico programs as I am sure they are very useful. However right now I'm a little pressed for time. I am due to launch my website tomorrow and I just needed something set up and quick as this was pretty much my last detail. I think I have it figured out. I had seen that info before, Charlesgan but thanks for resposting the link it forced me to think that I could work with that as it is dead simple. I had followed those steps the first time but got nothing untill I set up a striped down guest page with a link to the real page. When I clicked on that link I was asked to give the name/password I set up for myself. So I think it works.

[sjlplat]

Take a look at http://www.hotscripts.com for some pre-built user management scripts. I've used a handfull of the login scripts and there are some pretty good scripts available for free.

This is something I'm planning on writing for public release in the near future.

[sjlplat]

If you're still looking, I've released my authentication script. It's available for download on my website, and you can evaluate the demo before you download. http://www.myphpscripts.net/scripts.php