Jon Bauer’s Blog

Just ran into a snag with this new php5/mysql4.1 app we’re working on. Here is the issue and how I fixed it, however I hope someone out there can verify I fixed this correctly, and maybe this will help someone else facing the same issue.

The Problem:
The app was built with php5/mysql-4.0x.
The Live server has mysql 4.1
User Logins didn’t work with 4.1, when they worked fine with 4.0.

The Diagnosis:
MySql 4.1 has this nifty thing called Collation. This allows you store different char types and sets. Anyway, Mysql 4.0 defaults to storing data as “latin1″. Fine. No big deal, it usually “just works” for Western char sets.

The problems arise on 4.1 because the default Collation that goes with char set “latin1″ is “latin1_swedish_ci”. Don’t ask me why.
(see: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/charset-map.html)

This meant that any data i was storing on the Live db, like username/password was being stored with latin1_swedish_ci Collation.
When my app went to authenicate, it gave up trying to match the two and thus never let anyone in. (it’s been a fun day )

The Solution:
Using phpMyAdmin, I was able to Alter the db, table, and field Collations from “latin1_swedish_ci” to “latin_bin”. Now everything works.

This link may help any mysql adminstrators out there http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/show-collation.html

Help!:
Does anyone out there know if “latin_bin” is correct??? I know this “works” for me now, but I’m curious to know if this is the correct setting or if there is something better? I realize utf-8 would be better, but for now, I’m still working in a mixed 4.0/4.1 enviornment.

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I first heard of Speakeasy several years ago when I started getting into Linux. They hosted/sponsored rpmfind.net, and invaluable resource for updating Red Hat machines (before RHN or Yum). This sort of community branding stuck with me, even if I didn’t know they were an ISP. Years later, when I was sick of SBC support (or the lack of), and big corporate lies, my co-worker mentioned he had Speakeasy DSL. I called that day, signed up, and have been continually impressed with every single interaction and transaction since.

And then, last week, I noticed they had created a Speakeasy FireFox plugin! Now I can easily go to the Speakeasy Account Management System to pay my bill, or check on network status, or even test my connection speed. And the links they provide by default are a great indication on how “in” these guys are. They don’t have links to Amazon, they have links to ThinkGeek. They even have a link to Waste. I applaud Speakeasy on exposing community based goodies to the rest of the world, and for not being afraid to give their users “just what they want”.

Maybe I love them because they gave me a free IPod when i signed up. Or maybe it was the absolutely flawless transition from SBC, where because they have such a brilliant account managment system, I never once felt the need to call and check up on the switch. Or maybe it’s their incredible support staff, that seems to be completely fluent in PC, Mac, and *Linux* issues, and even call me right back if the call disconnects. Maybe it’s the fact I get a 4.9Mb / 638k always on connection, or 8 IP addresses (if i ever need them). Maybe it’s the three mouse clicks it takes me to pay my bill each month. Maybe it’s the fact the CEO writes quasi-personal emails to subscribers and frequently asks for honesy feedback. Maybe it’s the fact that feedback actually seems to matter to them? Dunno, I guess they just kick ass.

Folks, this is a company to watch. They get it. Speakeasy is the first company I’ve been a customer of, that is truly Transparent. Transparency is an amazing experience for a customer, and any company that continues to ignore it’s power will perish in the next economy.