Well, it's all come down to this - our beloved PHP has snuck one past us. According to the latest DevShed.com article, PHP can talk to Microsoft COM objects just fine as well. I know, I know - it'll be okay, but do check out this article - there's some pretty cool things that you can do with the COM objects and PHP (COM is Component Object Model for those not on the know). The samples they give you (all for Windows, obviously) include a simple script to make Excel work, a script to list Word files and link to opening them, and, finally, working with Access. COM objects, if used right, can be quite powerful - and it is cool that PHP can interface with them. For more info on these, see the manual or the Microsoft COM webpage.

Also today, over on the SitePoint WebmasterBase website, they have a new article that discusses how to make your site more "search engine friendly" by formatting the copy on your pages so that search engines pick up what's important and not the pages and pages of fluff you wrote to make your site seem important (heh). They mention several points, including keywording, placement of these keywords, meta tags and, one thing that some people take for granted, the title tag.

And, last but not least, I just want to make a mention of all of the hard work that's gone into making the PHPDN all that it is today. We've grown beyond our core sites, with two great new resources (PHPClasses.org and PHPAdvisory.com), and several advancements towards making the network "whole" (including the Unified Forums). I'd like to thank Jason (of NewbieNetwork for all the time he's put in, as well as the EvilWalrus guys for the time they've spent on this project...and especially for all of you out there - This network would be nothing without a community to surround it. We all thank you for helping us make the PHPDN come alive.