The Application will function just as it did before, with some validation and security measures in place:
- Will only accept letters in the Real Name field
- Will check for a valid email address in the Email field
- Will accept only properly formatted date in the DOB field
- Will prompt applicants to select either Male or Female.
- Requires a Character name be entered, but does not validate beyond that.
- Any text written, cut, paste, etc., into the five (5) text boxes is sterilized via a few filter and conversion methods, rendering any scripts or other such nonsense inert before uploading to the database.
- Lastly, it requires the applicant to check the box that they have read and understand the terms listed on the application.
An email is automatically generated and sent to the appropriate officer based on the applicant's choice of game.
That email includes a link that the officer may click which will bring up an Accept or Deny page, from which includes a summary of the applicant's information (the same provided in the email).
If they are Accepted, the applicant's information is copied to our roster, as a Recruit, with a timestamp. They also receive a letter under the officer's name informing them of the acceptance and supplying links to the site, the validation code for the forums, as well as how to contact their officers, the HC, find the podcast, the newsletter, etc.
If they are Denied, they receive a letter stating this, and offering some possible reasons for the denial, in addition to an email to ask additional questions.
The only reason that this hasn't been uploaded already is that I'm doing some server housecleaning and updating to the code (with a lot of help from a talented programmer), who is giving my somewhat half-assed, humble '74 pinto code the corvette overhaul. It's far better organized, streamlined and more efficient, and I believe, anyone coming in after us to look at the code will have no trouble navigating it.
It will be virtually invisible to the members on the site. It won't look any different, but the code behind it is a lot cleaner and i will have dumped the trash on the server.