SimpleXMLElement and EntityRef XML parser

I am using the PHP class SimpleXMLElement to take care of parsing some XML data that I am sourcing from 3rd parties. It had been working well for a while, but I just discovered an error that was popping up frequently. This error was "XML parser error : EntityRef: expecting ';'".

This error comes about as a result of XML input data being improperly encoded. Two data sources I was using had encoded things like "&", "<" and ">" by leaving off the semi-colon. In other words, the ampersand had been encoded as "&" instead of "&". SimpleXMLElement doesn't like this and throws a warning fest.

To fix the problem, I added a line before calling SimpleXMLElement:

$xmldata = preg_replace('/&(amp|lt|gt)([^;])/', '&$1;$2', $xmldata);
$obj_xml = new SimpleXMLElement($xmldata);

The preg_replace fixes the encoding problem and adds the ampersand for you. Just a note, this will only fix the encoding for the three characters I specified above ("&", "<" and ">"). If there are others that are causing problems, you'll have to add them to the first argument of preg_replace().

Here is another blog/article that helped me discover the underlying issue.

Computer Backups

I use Backblaze to back-up my computer's files. Let me explain why...

It is always important to have your files backed-up. And to have those files backed-up in a location that is secure. That is, away from your computer and locked and/or encrypted. There are a few big players in the online backup service sector. Carbonite and Mozy are both good examples.

It is important to have all my files backed up, especially on my work computer. If something were to happen, like fire or theft, I need to have a backup copy of all my files so I can get back to work as soon as possible. The great thing about online back-up services is that your back-up happens automatically, whenever you have an internet connection. The more automated the better!

I've been using Carbonite for the past couple of years for my laptop. It has worked pretty good. I like how they add a little icon in your file explorer on top of each folder and file that is backed up. It is a great visual cue that helps me to see exactly what is backed up and what is not.

HOWEVER, over the past few months my computer fan will turn on really loud, even when I am not using the computer. Looking closer I found that Carbonite's software was eating around 50% of my processor, causing my computer to heat up and the fan to turn on. As soon as I disabled Carbonite, the CPU utilization fell and the fan turned off. That's not right!

Well, I finally broke down and contacted their technical support. First, their technical support sucks. They have a crumby web interface, their emails are formated all funny, and the people on the other end take forever to get back to you. But, the worst part is that after I jumped through their hoops and they finally got back to me, all they said is that I use my computer "too much." Seriously!? It runs at 50% even when I am not using my computer.

What a waste of my time.

SO, now I am using Backblaze. I heard about them a while back through this Slashdot article about how they had made their hardware design public. Very cool: open-source hardware. Now that's an innovative company. And, as a double bonus, they will encrypt my files in a way that is extra safe. Only I can open my files. (I have a feeling those tech guys are Carbonite can browse my personal files whenever they'd like.) Last, but not least, when I need to restore my backed-up files, they will mail me a physical disk with all my files on it. Awesome!

And, I must mention this because I am a web designer, the Backblaze website is WAY better looking. Nice work, guys!