Seeking Some Advice - Users & Passwords & Intergration

[Micky-D]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking for some advice and answers to a couple of problems / questions I have.
First of all I will just mention that I am using OsCommerce and SMF (Simple Machines Forums) although my questions are not directly about these products.
I am setting up a small store of downloadable mp4 vids.. I have my downloads directory password protected by a htaccess file currently, but I have since decided I want to add a new feature for any customers I get and will now need access to the downloads directory. What Im looking to do is set up a small subscription based play service. I want to dissalow people from browsing the directory where I keep my mp4's but still allow them to be played in a player, but to do this currently requires the input of the htaccess user and pass.

But I want to be able to take subscriptions so that people who want to, can subscripe and play the files I have but not download them. So I require a way give people an option to subscribe and have a script generate a user and pass somehow... any body got any ideas?

My overall needs are that...

1. No one can get direct access to the directory or files to download them, but the directory is accessible to play the files
2. The script is / can be intergrated to my oscommerce store so that I can upgrade people from there or have an auto upgrade upon payment.

I should point out that Im not looking for someone to do this for me just wether or not this would be possible.

Another question I have which I will ask here as well as at the home sites of the products I am using is,

Is it or would it be possible to intergrate the user and pass Database of Oscommerce and SMF so that one user pass and registration would serve for all? Ie a user signs up / registers at my store and this also creates an account automatically at the forums using the same user and pass and also so that when a user clicks a link to the forums it takes him there and they are auto logged in?

Overall I would like the whole system to be one user and pass for all and log in to one, login to all. If possible it would be nice if that same system worked along with my first questions about subscribers.. that same one user and pass works for the subscription idea too providing they had paid their subscription of course.

Also, One Very Last Thing.. If I did Hire Someone to do this for me, what would you think a fare rate or price would be for the completion of this task.. I only ask because im just a novice - intermediate web master / designer and have never had to pay for this kind of work before, but this task will require manipulation of the Databases and thats well well well beyond my skills looool

Any Thoughts or comments any 1?

Thanks guys

[Sagaris]

I don't really have any experience of OsCommerce yet (something I am looking to get more familliar with in the near future), so I can't help you on those but I might be able to help on the issue of preventing users browsing your video directory.

You might want to consider creating a directory to store your videos in outside of your web root (if your host allows this), this will prevent any user browsing the directory but any script running on the server should be able to access and use them.

[masonbarge]

I think you're asking too much here -- you really need a comprehensive plan.

I do have one hint. Creating an index file (mysite/downloads/index.***) in the directory will prevent people from accessing the directory map, even if it just consists of a header. Then you can put password/payment protection in front of any files in it.