Wow... I posted... something I rarely do here (actually, it's my first time), considering I do a lot of work... However, I've noticed that the releases of IP.Converge are encoded using either Zend or IonCube. I'm wondering if we're ever going to see a non-encoded version of Converge, as my web host doesn't have IonCube installed, and as far as I recall, he doesn't have Zend installed either.

There have been many topics about this, and to be honest, its not really in their interest to release an unencoded version. The way IPS have made IP.Converge basically eliminates all need for the end user to go looking around the source files, therefore, having it encoded doesn't really matter!

However, in some cases like yours, the web host doesn't have either of the PHP engines installed, but im sure that they wouldn't mind adding the extension if you asked them...most hosts will be happy to enable the Zend Extension at least...

my host went as far when i asked for ioncube to actually install on all his servers. not just the one i was on! its not to much to ask to have something so common installed... if your host refuses. seek another host.

We stopped releasing the zend-encoded version FYI, as Zend-encoding was recently "hacked".

Many times you can simply upload the included ioncube folder and ioncube scripts will run. When that's not the case, your host needs to update php.ini and restart Apache. I'd say a good 95% of hosts will do so. Encoded scripts are not uncommon, and as more and more applications move web-based they will only become more common over time.

Brandon is correct (as usual )

Im a Hostgator "Shared Plan"customer. On my space I simply created a folder in the forum root, and copied the contents of the ioncube zip file directly to it as instructed.

Used the checker file to see if it worked, and it did, just fine.

You can't hurt anything by trying, if I read the docs right. Just install it.

If it isn't going to work, the checker file will say so (and it won't break anything if that's the case) but then you then need your Host (Admin) to perform some tasks as outlined in the instructions.

Ah, thanks Brandon. I didn't know if that worked, and wanted to get a professional opinion before I tried it. Nonetheless, it's working fine, though in regards to its use, I'm a bit befuddled. =P

We need to run Converge, but our host refuse to install Ioncube. Are the any security risk with this product? Is it expensive for the host?

IONCube loaders are free for installation. As far as I am aware there are not any security risks. The loaders just allow the server to run encoded files.

The full IonCube program is quite expensive, but the loaders that come with encoded scripts (like Converge), allow you to run the script on a server which doesn't have IonCube.

Hence, the server you're on doesn't need IonCube, so long as you upload the loaders to the appropriate location.

Kudos to those who informed me of this. You know who you are.

I told this to my host, but they are not even willing to discuss it. This will cost me a significant amount of money since I will have to move all these domains to another host.


Could you please give some more details on this?

The ioncube ZIP file can be extracted to the root (public_html) of your domain, as the instructions tell you to do. (The files only have to be at the same "level" as the applications requiring them, but root is as good a place as any.) I transferred the entire zip to a temp directory, then copied as necessary. If you have to transfer individual files, make sure you use Binary mode with FTP.

Following the extraction and installation, note how you can test your installation with the included "helper" files.

Do so. If it's going to work, the helper file will report success and you are then ready to go.

If it fails? Then you might be up the proverbial creek.

Your host's outright refusal to even discuss it smacks of arrogance. Or plain ignorance. Moving might be the best thing that happens to you, though I'm sure it doesn't seem that way.

Hope that helped.

RV

Many thanks! Unfortunately the helper script tells that I cannot use runtime loading since php safemode is enabled and the host refuse to change this also....

Host is very ignorant. The support people have been told by the technicians that changing any of the server settings is out of the question, thus they wont even bother to ask about ioncube, they just say NO....
I'll try to get my money back and move to another host.

You need to drop that host fast - no zend, ioncube and safemod on - That's not a host, thats a prison and you are wasting good money staying with them

I've checked with a couple of other (cheap) hosts, none of them are offering Ioncube loader either...
Wonder why IPS use it for Converge, when IPB, blog etc. are uncoded.
Safemode is relativly common on web hotels.

Most of the time the runtime loaders work, so your host doesn't have to install anything. Our hosting is relatively middle-ground I'd say, and we will install ioncube upon request. Most hosts will.



Converge is a free product, and has little functionality that would require or promote modifying the software, so we felt it best to encode it.



Actually.....no it's not. And safemode is being removed from PHP entirely in PHP6. safemode gives a very false sense of security and severely hampers how php functions. I sometimes find it amazing that IPB works in safemode.

try to say that to the host in question...
All the host I've asked use safe mode. And since they refuse to touch php.ini the loader doesn't work.

My experience is that its very difficult, or more correctly, impossible, to get a host to adjust something on their server. We have to use 3 character fulltext search and the only way was to run our own server.

Godaddy.Com and WebsiteSource.Com supports both on there shared hosting. No runtime loaders needed. Encoded scripts will work out the box. Website source is more premium with cpanel and lots of goodies (and they will transfer your site and databases free). It's only a few cents more than godaddy. PS. None of the hosters I listed use safe mode on.

Thanks, but I prefer to use a local host. (I'm in Norway)

Why?

He has no choice. If he tries to go with a company outside the Norway... His goverment will issue him a fine and sentence him to service with original hoster minimum 5 years on charges for trying to obtain better service and pricing.

*snicker*

All kidding aside, his country's legal system may well provide far more "Consumer Protection" with a local host, than if he goes "overseas" for one. I know absolutely nothing about Norway's legal system, however.

I gave him a couple suggestions for US hosting in a PM. One of them has a HUGE foreign userbase, too.

And I thought it was forbidden to suggest hosting companies other than IPS? (Hey, it's THEIR sandbox, in which we are guests, so I'm not complaining if that's the case.)

RV

ehh, would you have used a Norwegian host?
there are some advantages, better consumer protection, support in your own language.
But I will of course look for other alternatives if I cannot find a solution over here.

Usually in China, 70% of the ISP will install Zend but I can hardly find any ISP provide Ioncube. And ustally if a user want to buy a script and he find that his ISP will not support the Zend or Ioncube, he may changed his choise and buy other products. It is better to have the products run on any PHP host but not depend on platform like Zend , Ioncube or so, I think
So I think if the product will be encodeed by some software that just mass the code but not need to install the envirment is the best choise.

And also I think if I want to buy a product ,I do not just mean the product but also the support and service

Converge is free, there's nothing to buy.

But since its' free, and the encoding cause problems for IPB customers, why not release it uncoded?

My plan was to buy 2 more IPB licenses, but because of this trouble I have to give it a second thought. (A host with ioncube is 4 times the price of one without)

Ummm.... unless I'm misunderstanding, you don't need a host "with Ioncube".
All you need is one that doesn't have Safemode turned on.
(The two hosts I PM'd you about both work just fine with the above-mentioned Ioncube loaders, and neither of them use Ioncube natively.)

Sorry, I mean host that either support the loader in php.ini or dont use safe mode. I've checked around and it's possible to get this, but to another price.
I can run IPB at the cheap hosts, but not converge.

Why don't you just get IPB hosting then... You are here everyday and that would just resolve all your problems

So is there any other valid reason (security, etc) other than "Well, we didn't think people would need to access the source" for having it encoded?

There is no reason to release it unencoded really. The decision may or may not change at some point in the future, but setting aside the fact that we see no reason to release it unencoded, we're really quite busy with IPB presently anyways.