I'm making a PHP package for the RaQ550. I started with PHP 4.2.3 source
and am using checkinstall to make an RPM.

PHP cuts off the first four characters of form submissions. I believe
this is a bug with my specific configuration. This bug is reproducible
with register_globals both on and off.

Here is my phpinfo(): http://server3.simpli.biz/info.php

Here's a test where you can enter form field information. 
http://server3.simpli.biz/form_field_test.php 
(Source: http://server3.simpli.biz/form_field_test.phps -- "view source"
to see it properly)

Notice that I'm posting the raw post data as well, so you can see that
all of the characters do get passed properly to PHP.

I'm using the php.ini-recommended with register_globals turned on for
testing purposes. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Don't configure using --enable-mbstr-enc-trans.
Search the bug db/php-dev list for more background.

Oi. What a nasty bug. I went ahead and voted for the other submission.

So what now? Downgrade to 4.2.2? I'm reluctant to implement the fix
suggested because it hasn't been approved by the PHP developers. What
are your thoughts?

Oh, forgot to mention that I do need mbstring functions in there,
because I do have Japanese clients, and I am going to be distributing
the package to several others who will probably need it as well.

Just don't use mbstr-enc-trans; it has been broken for a couple of
releases, and that chances are very high that none of your users will
ever think of using it.
Do you understand what it is supposed to do?

This has been fixed in the 4.2 branch and in head.

I missed your comment about Japanese clients.
You could roll your own package from the 4.2 branch in CVS,
although it's probably worth waiting to see about the file_exists bug
before you distribute it; we might release a 4.2.4 yet -> ask on
php-dev.

This PR is closed because the bug has been identified and fixed.