In Practical PHP Web 2.0 Applications, PHP, MySQL, CSS, XHTML, and JavaScript/Ajax development techniques are brought together to show you how to create the hottest PHP web applications, from planning and design up to final implementation, without going over unnecessary basics that will hold you back. This book includes must-have application features such as search functionality, maps, blogs, dynamic image galleries, and personalized user areas. It covers everything in a practical, tutorial style so you can start working on your own projects as quickly as possible.

Quentin Zervaas is a web developer based in Adelaide, South Australia, where he has been self-employed since 2003. After receiving his bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Adelaide in 2001, Quentin worked for several web development firms before branching out on his own, developing a wide range of custom web applications for customers all around the world. Quentin has recently started a new company called Recite Media (http://www.recite.com.au) with two partners. Recite Media develops web applications primarily for other development or design companies to resell. Its flagship product, Recite CMS, is being used by some of Australia's largest companies. Quentin also runs and writes for his PHP development resource site, phpRiot (phpRiot.com), which provides a number of useful articles on a wide variety of PHP-related topics. After completing his role as the technical reviewer for Beginning Ajax with PHP: From Novice to Professional (Apress, 2006), he decided to undertake writing Practical Web 2.0 Applications with PHP.

Application Planning and Design.- Setting Up the Application Framework.- User Authentication, Authorization, and Management.- User Registration, Login, and Logout.- to Prototype and Scriptaculous.- Styling the Web Application.- Building the Blogging System.- Extending the Blog Manager.- Personalized User Areas.- Implementing Web 2.0 Features.- A Dynamic Image Gallery.- Implementing Site Search.- Integrating Google Maps.- Deployment and Maintenance.