The good news is that you can create your own URL shortened PHP scripts in just a few minutes on your own. All you need to do is setup a basic text file on your server that you can edit pretty easily. Once you get the INI file in place, you simply put the short link on the left and the full link on the right. You choose the short slugs yourself.

Are There Services That Can Do This?

If you’re not comfortable with the coding that it takes to create your own short URLs, there are some services available on the internet today that can help you replicate a TinyURL. Here is a look at a few of the best.

1. Yourls.org – http://yourls.org/

This is free and open source software that is just a small set of PHP scripts that will let you run your own link shortening service. You can set your links to private or public, get bookmarkets, and have access to all of the stats you need to keep track of clicks and referrals. It has a good plugin architecture as well so that it’s really easy for anyone to install this on their system.

2. WordPress – http://wordpress.org/

If you’re using a WordPress hosting platform for your website, then every post that you make automatically has an option to create a short link. It’s up at the top of the page, just underneath the title of the page you’re creating or editing. You just create the short link and then share it across the different social media platforms that you have. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

3. Phurl – http://phurlproject.org/

If you want one of the easiest interfaces that can be found on the internet right now, then Phurl is the PHP URL shortening system for you. It only takes a couple minutes to get yourself setup and there’s a functional admin panel that will help you know when there are new versions to download and use. One click shortening is possible with the browser bookmarklets including and an installation wizard makes it possible for almost anyone to use the service. Phurl has been around since 2006, so there is some reliability in the longevity of this system as well.

4. PHPKobo – http://www.phpkobo.com/

With one click, you just download the script and you’re ready to go. It’s a GPL license and you can test the demo of the script for downloading it if you want. There’s a guest area and an admin panel to try out and you’ll get the chance to specific a specific URL or generate a random one. You can also edit, search, and delete URLs from the admin screen.

1. Proquiz – http://proquiz.softon.org/

Proquiz has a really simple interface that will let you generate all different kinds of quizzes in not time at all. It supports a variety of question categories, including multiple choice questions. It’s also fully customizable and will deliver a detailed summary report of the quiz results when you want them. There is also a timing chart display and you can track online users.

2. Savsoft – http://savsoftquiz.com/

Although it is designed more as a test interface, Savsoft is also a really great application that helps to create an online quiz for fun or feedback. Short answer questions are available in this format, as are true/false questions and multiple choice. You can also put in negative marks and the multiple choice questions can be answered with radio buttons or check boxes.

3. GooQuiz – http://sourceforge.net/

This is a pretty small tool that is web based. It requires a bit of technical know-how to get it to work since it isn’t completed, but it does have a lot of benefits if you can get it to work for you. It has open MySQL interfaces so that it can be used in a traditional business intranet format. The admin panel is handy and you can set the different configurations you need through the .config file.

4. Els PHP Web Quiz – http://aspnetpower.com/elsphpwebquiz/

This is an open source piece of software that is web based. It will help you create quizzes or surveys if you prefer and then help you migrate them to your system. It’s really easy to use, works with Google Chrome, and also integrates with MySQL 5, PHP 5, or Apache. You’ll get all of the options you need without any of the bells and whistles, which makes it perfect for the average user.

5. MultiWebQuiz – http://www.phpkode.com/

Available to run on any server with PHP 4 or higher, this is a freeware online quiz management system that features multiple choice questions. All you’ve got to do to install the file is to download it and follow the instructions that are included, so anyone can really get it done in just a few minutes. In return, you’ll get up to 6 answering options per question and there’s a quick quiz area where you can create up to 20 questions in just moments. There’s even automated table creation and data configuration available that easily integrates with your existing tables and databases.

1. A Simple, Basic Script

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to just add your own script to the existing PHP file that you have so that you can get the backup done. No matter what platform you’re using for MySQL, the following line can be added to your PHP file so that you can run the backup by visiting the PHP URL through your browser.

/user/local/www/vhosts/YOURDOMAIN.COM/private/BACKUPFILENAME.sql”);
?>

2. Use MySQL Hotcopy

If you are performing a backup on your server and the tables that you have on that server are all MyISAM tables, then you can use MySQL Hotcopy in order to do the backup as well. This process gives you a number of different options to backup the tables, including the ability to keep the target direct name intact, insert checkpoint entries, or even reset the binary log after you lock all of the tables.

If you have anything on your server besides the MyISAM tables, however, you won’t be able to use this process.

3. Use Exec() For External Commands

Depending on the system that you are using, you may need to utilize an execute command in your scripts to be able to successfully get the file dump to start. That’s typically seen in Linux systems and it would also allow you to run it directly from the internet. In this instance, your script would look like this instead.

exec(‘mysqldump -user= –password= –host= DATABASE_NAME > /path/to/output/file.sql’);

4. Use Shell Commands

In the open source MySQL system, you might want to setup the option of being able to download something specific instead of having to download the entire server. This is especially beneficial if certain tables are updated daily, while others might be updated weekly, monthly, or on a different timing system. To do so, you might consider utilizing the Shell commands with your script, as you can see below.

shell> mysqldump [options] database_name [table_name]
shell> mysqldump [options] -databases name
shell> mysqldump [options] -all-databases

If you want to dump an entire database, then just don’t name any tables following the database name. You can also use the all-databases option if you prefer. It is important to note that the mysqldum won’t include the information-schema database unless you specifically name it in the command line and you’ve got to use the skip/lock/tables option to do it.

1. Free Contact Form – http://extensions.joomla.org/contact-forms

One of the advantages of a good PHP form mailer is that it gives you the opportunity to include your branding to a user one more time. You’ll be able to get a fully customized script from Free Contact Form if you wish, but there’s also a simple form that you can literally copy and paste into your website. You’ve just got to change the file name contact within the bare bones script and you’ll have the mailer you need up and running. From there, you can also edit the style of the form to better match your style.

2. Tutvid.com – http://tutvid.com/

One of the most effective places to get your PHP form mailer scripts is Tutvid.com. Not only will you be taken through the creation of your script line by line, but you’ll get a deeper understanding of how to customize your script so that it is very inviting for your users to send you feedback. You can give yourself the chance to gather customized information through the various fields, process the information quickly into a useable form, and receive it in your preferred email address – not just the webmaster address.

3. Form To Email – http://www.freecontactform.com/

How about creating your own customized PHP form mailer in just three minutes? Form to Email is a cloud-based form processing center that eliminates the need to do any PHP programming. You have everything processed in the cloud and then it is run through your control panel. You can also create forms to use in plenty of fields, use your own HTML or forms, or use their stock forms. It’s perfect for the beginner who needs a form mailer right away and may not have the code knowledge to correct a copy/paste error from a sample code from elsewhere.

4. Bell Online – http://bellonline.co.uk/

One of the best mailer scripts that is simple to install can be found through this UK site. You just download the mailer script for free and it’s super easy to customize it to meet your needs. Your users will also be prompted to enter random validation codes so you won’t get flooded with automated submissions that will just waste your time.

There’s no script editing involved either – you just change the config file based on the prompts that are already included and then you’re ready to get going. You won’t get extra fields or drop down menus for the free code, but you can get your coding fully modified by Bell Online for a reasonable price if you don’t want to do it yourself.