[rybrns]

Previous posts recommended Mambo Server as a solution to user authentication. I looked at that software, but it's really an entire web development system.

Is there anything smaller that can be used as a module (like formmail, for example) that supports user authentication including registration, updating a profile, changing email addresses and passwords, etc. that doesn't involve an entire web development package?

My hosted server supports PHP and mySQL and I have access only to a cgi-bin folder at my site's root level. I'd like to add a section to the site, which is totally public, that is accessed through a login.

Any help would be appreciated.

[jaeusm]

If you know PHP, just write your own login script.

[rybrns]

I'm nowhere good enough to do that. I was hoping that something had already been written to do this.

[jaeusm]

Do you have any programming experience? If you do, then this task is probably much easier than you think.

[rybrns]

That may be true, but I try to avoid the wheel re-invention trap. If there's a module already written and published, it's likely that it's been debugged fairly well, and all that.

[jaeusm]

If you're not an expert, then "wheel reinvention" is an excellent way to increase your skills and understanding. It's not a difficult task, so give it shot. If you run into problems, post your code and we'll help you out.