local-transcription/server/QUICK_FIX.md

# Quick Fix for Multi-User Display Issues

## The Problem

Your PHP SSE (Server-Sent Events) setup isn't working because:
1. **PHP-FPM buffers output** - Shared hosting uses PHP-FPM which buffers everything
2. **Apache/Nginx timeouts** - Proxy kills long connections
3. **SSE isn't designed for PHP** - PHP processes are meant to be short-lived

## The Solutions (in order of recommendation)

---

### ✅ Solution 1: Use PHP Polling (Easiest Fix)

**What changed:** Instead of SSE (streaming), use regular HTTP polling every 1 second

**Files affected:**
- **Keep:** `server.php`, `config.php` (no changes needed)
- **Replace:** Use `display-polling.php` instead of `display.php`

**Setup:**
1. Upload `display-polling.php` to your server
2. Change your OBS Browser Source URL from:
   ```
   OLD: https://your-site.com/transcription/display.php?room=ROOM
   NEW: https://your-site.com/transcription/display-polling.php?room=ROOM
   ```
3. Done! No other changes needed.

**Pros:**
- ✅ Works on ANY shared hosting
- ✅ No server configuration needed
- ✅ Uses your existing setup
- ✅ 5-minute fix

**Cons:**
- ⚠️ 1-2 second latency (vs instant with WebSocket)
- ⚠️ More server requests (but minimal impact)

**Performance:** Good for 2-20 concurrent users

---

### ⭐ Solution 2: Use Node.js Server (Best Performance)

**What changed:** Switch from PHP to Node.js - designed for real-time

**Setup:**
1. Get a VPS (or use free hosting like Railway.app)
2. Install Node.js:
   ```bash
   cd server/nodejs
   npm install
   npm start
   ```
3. Update desktop app Server URL to:
   ```
   http://your-server.com:3000/api/send
   ```
4. Update OBS URL to:
   ```
   http://your-server.com:3000/display?room=ROOM
   ```

**Pros:**
- ✅ Real-time (< 100ms latency)
- ✅ Handles 100+ users easily
- ✅ Native WebSocket support
- ✅ Lower resource usage
- ✅ Can use free hosting (Railway, Heroku, Fly.io)

**Cons:**
- ❌ Requires VPS or cloud hosting (can't use shared hosting)
- ❌ More setup than PHP

**Performance:** Excellent for any number of users

**Free Hosting Options:**
- Railway.app (easiest - just connect GitHub)
- Heroku (free tier)
- Fly.io (free tier)

---

### 🔧 Solution 3: Fix PHP SSE (Advanced - Not Recommended)

**Only if you have full server control and really want SSE**

This requires:
1. Apache configuration changes
2. Disabling output buffering
3. Increasing timeouts

See `apache-sse-config.conf` for details.

**Not recommended because:** It's complex, fragile, and PHP polling is easier and more reliable.

---

## Quick Comparison

| Solution | Setup Time | Reliability | Latency | Works on Shared Hosting? |
|----------|-----------|-------------|---------|-------------------------|
| **PHP Polling** | 5 min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1-2s | ✅ Yes |
| **Node.js** | 30 min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | < 100ms | ❌ No (needs VPS) |
| **PHP SSE** | 2 hours | ⭐⭐ | Should be instant | ❌ Rarely |

---

## Testing Your Fix

### Test PHP Polling

1. Run the test script:
   ```bash
   cd server
   ./test-server.sh
   ```

2. Or manually:
   ```bash
   # Send a test message
   curl -X POST "https://your-site.com/transcription/server.php?action=send" \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{
       "room": "test",
       "passphrase": "testpass",
       "user_name": "TestUser",
       "text": "Hello World",
       "timestamp": "12:34:56"
     }'

   # Open in browser:
   https://your-site.com/transcription/display-polling.php?room=test

   # Should see "Hello World" appear within 1-2 seconds
   ```

### Test Node.js

1. Start server:
   ```bash
   cd server/nodejs
   npm install
   npm start
   ```

2. Open browser:
   ```
   http://localhost:3000/display?room=test
   ```

3. Send test message:
   ```bash
   curl -X POST "http://localhost:3000/api/send" \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{
       "room": "test",
       "passphrase": "testpass",
       "user_name": "TestUser",
       "text": "Hello World",
       "timestamp": "12:34:56"
     }'
   ```

4. Should see message appear **instantly**

---

## My Recommendation

**Start with PHP Polling** (Solution 1):
- Upload `display-polling.php`
- Change OBS URL
- Test it out

**If you like it and want better performance**, migrate to Node.js (Solution 2):
- Takes 30 minutes
- Much better performance
- Can use free hosting

**Forget about PHP SSE** (Solution 3):
- Too much work
- Unreliable
- Not worth it

---

## Files You Need

### For PHP Polling
- ✅ `server.php` (already have)
- ✅ `config.php` (already have)
- ✅ `display-polling.php` (NEW - just created)
- ❌ `display.php` (don't use anymore)

### For Node.js
- ✅ `server/nodejs/server.js` (NEW)
- ✅ `server/nodejs/package.json` (NEW)
- ✅ `server/nodejs/README.md` (NEW)

---

## Need Help?

1. Read [COMPARISON.md](COMPARISON.md) for detailed comparison
2. Read [server/nodejs/README.md](nodejs/README.md) for Node.js setup
3. Run `./test-server.sh` to diagnose issues
4. Check browser console for errors

---

## Bottom Line

**Your SSE display doesn't work because PHP + shared hosting + SSE = bad combo.**

**Use PHP Polling (1-2s delay) or Node.js (instant).** Both work reliably.