I guess I already know the answer to this, but I checked the EE system requirements with my web hosts, and they came back with an okay on everything… except that they said “MySQL server runs in Strict mode for security purposes”.

Does this categorically mean that I’m outta luck? (I’m on shared hosting so I can’t see them changing the server mode just for me). Am I really going to have to look at Wordpress or some other solution after all?

Only the Windows installer for MySQL defaults into Strict mode because a great number of apps are not compatible with it, and it is rare to find a non-Windows host running MySQL in Strict mode.  (There’s not anything more “secure” about Strict mode, incidentally; security comes primarily from the application, not the database)  ExpressionEngine 2.0 will be compatible with Strict mode, and that is where our development time is focused.  Hopefully you will be able to find a suitable environment that is not running in Strict mode if you wish to use the current version of ExpressionEngine, but I’m afraid it will not function otherwise.

Thanks for that Derek.

Unfortunately I think it means I’m out of the game on this. I checked with my hosts (1and1 Internet Ltd) and they were adamant that they could not run the MySQL server in non-strict mode for security reasons. I hear what you say about the security myth, but since I’d never even glanced at MySQL until about 3 days ago, I’m in no position to mount a convincing argument about that.

It’s a real shame though, because having looked closely at both WordPress and Expression Engine I know that EE is the one I would much prefer to use. But, since I changed hosts only a few months ago (and that was a nightmare) I’m not exactly anxious to start that all over again. So I can’t see any option but to pass, I think.

Bleugh.

Odd, there are a number of users running ExpressionEngine who use 1and1 as their host.  Could be that the particular server they have you on has that limitation.  Are you using their Windows or Linux hosting?

Linux. I’ve got a ‘Business’ web hosting package with them.
Maybe 1and1 in the US has a different policy than in the UK?

It’s UK users who I specifically remember.  You might search the forums for 1and1 and either post to the threads where these users mention using it successfully, or private message them to see if they are still using them.

Good idea, and thanks for the info. I’ll see what I can dig up, and if I find anything worth reporting, I’ll… report it.

Ok, good luck!

Well, it was a good plan until I discovered that they don’t appear to have a user forum.
I’ll keep at them by email and see what gives.

Sorry, let me clarify: I mean searching our forums for the term ‘1and1’.  You’ll find a number of users reporting success.

Uhh, yeah, that wwould make more sense. Sorry, it’s been a looong day, and it ain’t oveer yet.
Not by a long shot.

I think we’ve all had those day.  :-D

From 1and1 tech support:

MySQL 5.0 added a strict mode where by it follows standard SQL in a number of ways in which it did not previously. Support for standard SQLSTATE error messages was also implemented.

So that’s that I guess.
Hmmm.

Update:
Apparently 1&1;‘s managed servers (as opposed to Shared Hosting, which I’m on) run MySQL4, which doesn’t have the strict mode. But switching to Managed servers is maybe a bit more of a jump than I’m ready for at this point (5x the cost). And then there’s no guarantee that they wouldn’t soon upgrade the managed servers to MySQL5 and I’d be back to square one.

So I think I’m still going to have to decide whether to jump-ship (host-wise) or simply adopt a different blogging/CMS engine.

PS. Thanks to Simon Rudkin for his helpful input (off-forum) on this matter.

Thanks for the update, Rick!

That’s odd, we have a client site hosted on 1and1, presumably it is a shared hosting environment (professional package). The database is mysql 5, and runs EE fine…

The mystery deepens

Hmm.
Butcher: Is that 1and1.co.uk? Or elsewhere?

**cough cough**

EngineHosting

**cough cough**

I was under the impression that Engine Hosting is based in the US. Is that not the case?
I need a UK-based (or at the very least EU-based) host, to comply with UK data protection legislation. I think.