Accounts & repository

Hi, I'm trying to create a web site that allows a user to log on with name and passwd, then based on this name, they can perform searches and so forth on a database of their documents.

I have previously written a registration system using C and mySQL, so I think I could cludge my way through this, but I know there must be an efficient way with many canned tools available.

I already have a login system--BUT it is through a Perl CGI and just allows the user to access their "directory," so I really don't want to take this approach. I would rather give them access to their db and consequently perform queries (searches) on their documents (which will be stored in a table in the db).

So, based on what I want to do, what is the best approach and what are the best tools to use? If there are any tutorials/howtos around may I have the location? Or will someone offer their expertise/experience?

This needs to be a secure enviroment (I already have ssl set up) so this must be a clean and elegant system...

Thanks very much.

Read http://www.webmasterbase.com/article.php3?aid=228&pid=0 It has an incredible amount of info in it.