Comments Module and Captcha problem

[Bob]

Hi helpful folks!

I'm using CMSMS 1.0.4, and I'm pretty sure the most up-to-date relavent modules (I just installed them)

I've added the comments feature to my "News", it works fine except when I try to use the "Spam Protection" feature in the "Comments Options", and to do so, have installed "Captcha", but I get what you see below on the site

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209
Unable to save captcha-image.

On a side note, I'd like to set up the site that will allow multiple users, with limited permissions, to be able to post something, and be able to delete or keep replies. For instance, One of my clients will be allowed to post something on a designated page, and will be able to allow or delete comments. I plan on having multiple clients like that on one site. I don't know if the Comments Module can provide this, but any help would be greatly appreciated. And of course, I'd like a little security... required valid emails, or something to avoid major spamming on the "Comments", or a way for the "editor" to make it harder for a "troller" from regularly posting.

Any help would be greatly appreciated... and as always, Kudos to the CMSMS team! This is the best system for a newbie like me!

[cyberman]

but I get what you see below on the site

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxx/domains/xxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209
Unable to save captcha-image.

As error message said server cant write a file cause he has not permission for that. Have you set write permission for captchas dir (chmod 777)?

[Bob]

Thanks Cyber for the quick reply... my chmod was 000, (that threw me for loop  ) so I did change it to 777, but I still get

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxxx/domains/xxxxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxxx/domains/xxxxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209

Warning: touch(): Unable to create file /home/xxxx/domains/xxxx.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/images/captchas/hn_captcha_counter.txt because Permission denied in /home/xxxx/domains/bobrozza.com/public_html/modules/Captcha/lib/hn_captcha/hn_captcha.class.x1.php on line 209
Unable to save captcha-image.

I made sure my Admin Group was checked off for both Comments and Captcha

BTW, what exactly does Captcha do? Is it a random series of letters/numbers in the funky colored background  that visitors have to type to post? Sorry for being so ignorant, but I don't know how "captcha" works... is there an example link that someone could send me?

[cyberman]

but I still get

Strange. Have you tried to set another umask value (menu site admin > global settings)?

BTW, what exactly does Captcha do? Is it a random series of letters/numbers in the funky colored background  that visitors have to type to post?

Yep. But letters, colors and background will be transformed to an image so this value can't read by another script. It's for spam protection.

is there an example link that someone could send me?

Please look here

http://www.fewo-schellerhau.de/index.php?seite=kontakt

[Bob]

Thanks Cyber for the reply

Strange. Have you tried to set another umask value (menu site admin > global settings)?

Yes, I did according to the wiki site... changed it from 002 to 022 (or vice versa), and still got the error.

Thanks for the example page... that's what I thought it did, and that's what I'd like for the comments.

BTW, (Semi on Topic) is there a way to make the email field required? And maybe add additional fields such as age, city/state, gender.

I'm guessing this should be pretty easy... I haven't had a chance to dig more. If that's possible, could it be easy to track for marketting purposes? Not names or anything, just general tracking (i.e. how many people in a certain age group are commenting) Obviously it not great scientific research, but it could give my clients a semi idea of the people visiting their site.

Thanks again!

[cyberman]

BTW, (Semi on Topic) is there a way to make the email field required?

With patching source that's not really difficult.

And maybe add additional fields such as age, city/state, gender.

That's not the problem, but ...

If that's possible, could it be easy to track for marketting purposes?

... that, cause you have to modify database and add some code to evaluate this values.

[Bob]

Strange. Have you tried to set another umask value (menu site admin > global settings)?

OK, I'm still kind of new at this, is there any specific unmask value I should try?

[Dee]

The webserver must be able to create files (and modify those) in the modules/Captcha/images/captchas/ folder.
It will create a counter.txt file and the captcha images there.
Setting chmod 0777 on this folder (and all files inside) should be enough (with umask 000).
Maybe there is a counter.txt file present you uploaded by FTP and the webserver can't overwrite it?
Chmodding the file to 0777 (or deleting it) should fix it in that case.

Look here for more info on how the umask works.

Regards,
D

[Dee]

See also this excellent "quick lesson in unix file permissions" by calguy1000.

Regards,
D

[Bob]

Setting chmod 0777 on this folder (and all files inside) should be enough (with umask 000).

Thanks Dee! I left the unmask at 022 though, but I CHMOD the folder you mentioned, and it looks like it works...

I'm sorry though, the links regarding masks and such scared and confused a simple caveman like myself

Thanks again for your help!