Self-hosting applications and services is more popular than ever, but it comes with a big challenge: how do you safely expose those services to the Internet without compromising your network?

Traditionally, exposing a service involved opening ports on your firewall or router. While simple, this method can create major security risks if not configured perfectly. Exposing open ports directly to the Internet increases the attack surface for bad actors to find and exploit vulnerabilities.

Introduction

Welcome back to GregVedders.com, where we reveal the definitely-not-secret secrets behind CatPosters.us, the world-renowned gallery of photorealistic cat images. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the “complex” and “technologically advanced” processes that bring these feline masterpieces to life. Spoiler alert: it’s not as magical as it seems!

The “State-of-the-Art” AI and ML System

At CatPosters.us, we don’t just rely on any old technology—we use the finest buzzwords money can buy, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Specifically, we’ve harnessed the power of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), or as we like to call them, “Fancy Digital Cat Conjurors.”

I recently wanted to see if ChatGPT could take some sample code I created for a class I was teaching in PHP. I simply asked the ChatGPT to “explain what this code does” and it quickly output a response.

ChatGPT’s Response

For users with older browsers, a conditional statement is in place. If someone visits the page using an outdated version of Internet Explorer (version 9 or below), special scripts are included to ensure that the modern features of the webpage still work as intended.

The webpage’s layout is further enhanced with custom CSS styles. These styles add padding to the top of the page and center the content within a designated area known as the “template.”

Now, let’s get to the main attraction: the Magic 8-Ball functionality, implemented using embedded PHP code.

As a user, when you interact with the webpage, you have the opportunity to ask a question. You’ll notice a section with a text input field and a button labeled “Ask.” This is where you can type in your question, just like you would when using a real Magic 8-Ball.

Upon submitting your question, the magic begins behind the scenes. The PHP code embedded in the webpage starts its work.

First, the code checks if you’ve actually asked a question by examining the submitted form data. If you have indeed asked a question (meaning the “question” field in the form is not empty), the code proceeds.

It generates a random number between 1 and 8. This random number will determine the answer you receive. The code then displays your question on the page, making sure to add a question mark to the end if you didn’t include one.

Based on the random number, the PHP code selects one of the predefined answers that the Magic 8-Ball is known for. These answers range from positive responses like “It is certain” to more ambiguous ones like “Reply hazy try again” and even negative ones like “Don’t count on it.”

Once the answer is chosen, it’s displayed on the webpage, completing the Magic 8-Ball’s response to your question.

But what if you haven’t asked a question yet? The PHP code accounts for that too. If the question field is empty, the webpage will simply wait for you to type in your question and click the “Ask” button.

All of this interactivity and dynamic behavior is brought to life by combining PHP, HTML, and a touch of JavaScript. The JavaScript part is responsible for incorporating Bootstrap’s interactive elements, and it’s sourced from content delivery networks to ensure smooth functionality.

In summary, the “PHP Magic 8-Ball” webpage provides a virtual version of the classic fortune-telling toy. It lets you ask questions, generates random answers, and presents them to you in an engaging and visually appealing format, thanks to a blend of HTML, PHP, and JavaScript technologies.