1. Is it difficult to create a web site where you have to have a password to access the pages with Frontpage 2000?

2. Is possible to attach a charge to it like 5 dollars a year so paying members can join? Is this possible with Frontapage.

If not, what are simple, easy safe and mega reliable solutions?

Easiest method is to host on a Linux webhosting account that uses CPanel as the control panel, then just set up a password protected directory for the area of your website that you want to restrict access to, using the control panel. It's real easy.

You can add new username/passwords using the control panel too.

Whilst it's possible for Windows, you either need to set up users in Windows itself (for which you need server access) or use an add-on product (such as an ASP component).

Frontpage has nothing to do with it -- just use Frontpage to design your website.

If you want to charge for access you need a method of collecting the payments: one of the credit card processing companies for example.

The only problem with payment is what happens if you get 200 people say joining via paypal, then you would have to send them separate emails or add them to a mailling list to give them the passwords so they can view the web site.

Any short-cut methods?

If you're running FrontPage on Linux, setting up password-protected directories is pretty easy (it's funny how the FrontPage security features work better with a Linux-based server than a Microsoft-based server). Open your website directly with FrontPage (choose File > Open Web and enter http://www.yourdomainname.com as the location). Create a new subweb. Double-click the subweb to open it. Then choose Tools > Server > Permissions... You can create username/password combinations from there.

If you want some kind of automated solution that processes the payments and creates passwords, you're going to have to do some programming, find a pre-built script, or hire someone to do it for you. This is not something built in to FrontPage.

If you think your site is going to be popular, you may want to look into something like Digibuy.com. If you're just starting out, your best bet is probably to use PayPal and enter username/passwords by hand.

Paypal offers an automatic username/password feature under the Subscription option "With Subscriptions Password Management, PayPal can generate unique usernames and passwords for your subscribers, enabling them to access "member only" content on your site.

Note: Subscriptions Password Management is not required to use PayPal Subscriptions. This feature requires installing a Perl script on your server. If you are not comfortable writing or editing Perl, or installing scripts on your server, do not enable Subscriptions Password Management when you set up your subscription."There is a link to download the Perl file on that page. Might be what you're looking for

Originally posted by wallaby
Easiest method is to host on a Linux webhosting account that uses CPanel as the control panel, then just set up a password protected directory for the area of your website that you want to restrict access to, using the control panel. It's real easy.



Last time I check cpanel uses flat file text for storing authentication information. While this is enough for small number of users (5-20), it would be a performance problem for a lot of user. You need to consider using DBM based authentication.

You should be able to find a powerful script solution to manage any password protected areas of your web site at www.hotscripts.com

CPanel simply uses .htaccess to manage passwords. While is this perfectly fine for a couple of members, it isn't a true user management system.

Flatfiles may be inefficient, but can still be in the question. Just create a directory above your public_html [meaning not in that] directory and chmod that 711, then have a flatfile database of passwords there. Use session cookies as well. A powerful DBM solution would work a lot better.

As for billing, you may want to use some kind of merchant account.