Too Much Media, the makers of NATS, are currently seeking a few people to beta test our newest application, SPARTA.
SPARTA is an Apache Module which takes over the work systems such as mod_auth or the like normaly handle. It does NOT use HTTP auth for authentication, but instead uses a 128bit session key which stores user data. It also lowers load on your servers by not checking the password on every single connection, but instead only periodically. Of course SPARTA also includes anti password sharing and anti brute force measures to benefit the specific needs of adult industry.
Logins take place via a normal HTML form rather than the popup box provided by HTTP auth. In addition to the username and password fields you may add a verification string in an image. This is the random string of letters shown as an image that a user must type in order to login. You often see this on the registration forms of many sites to avoid repeated automated registrations. Now this can be used to greatly reduce abuse by brute force hacking, etc.
A sample verification string image similiar to what would be shown on the login page and typed by the user along with their username and password to login:
With the use of session auth rather than HTTP auth the viewing of videos by a member will be made easier. The video player will no longer have to ask the user to login again and reauthorize them when they try to view a video.
Currently while in testing SPARTA only supports apache v1. v2 will be fully supported once testing is finalized.
We are looking for roughtly 3-5 beta testers who will receive lifetime use of the program for free.
Any feedback or feature suggestions from anyone at all is greatly appreciated.
You do not need NATS in order to use SPARTA. However if you are a NATS customer SPARTA will communicate with NATS to simplify and expand member management. Login statistics and other valuable data and features will be provided to NATS by SPARTA and vice versa. For example, fraud scores will increase for resellers with a higher than normal percentage of members that do not login and SPARTA will log everything associated with a member in his surfer stats inside of NATS.
Another benefit to using sessions instead of HTTP auth for member authentication is that the session can carry data other than simply username and password. If you are a NATS user along with SPARTA once a member logs in you will have access to his Name, Zip Code, Join Date, etc. within your members area to further personalize and enhance the member's experience.
If you are interested in beta testing this program please contact albright * toomuchmedia * com and I will be back in touch with you on Monday or Tuesday or feel free to icq me over the weekend at 5596373.
Thanks everyone!