Now to the point:  I am working with code adapted from the Device Locator example on page 87 which involves communications with a server using the loadStrings(url) function.  Basically what happens is that when the loadStrings(url) function runs, the server does not execute the php script from page 344, preferring instead to send the php script contents.  I know this because the "Last Server Message:" printed is "<?", which is the first line of the php script.  

The server is a rented Mac mini and I have full access to the machine.  I purchased and installed Server.app from our friends at Apple and have been using that to administer the server's Apache program.  I can provide code snippets of how I have used the Device Locator code in my code upon request.  

I think I will try running the example itself next, though I expect the same results - we shall see!  Any help will be greatly appreciated.