Trying to retrieve data from a webpage shouldn't be that hard in PHP, and it isn't. I've been using Curl to do just that. It comes with tons of options and lots of help and references.

Trying to install it on the other hand was a bit of a challenge... but if you follow my solution to the Call to undefined function mysql_connect() problem, you will automatically have solve this issue as well.

As I mention in the article; the PHP executable installation does not come with all the extensions. If you followed the steps and installed them, then all you have to do is add one line in your php.ini file, and you're set:

extension=php_curl.dll

Easiest way is to check the C:\PHP\ext directory to make sure the 'php_curl.dll' file exists. If it does, you're done.

If for some reason you don't or can't do the above steps, then head over to the curl project page, for some pretty hairy instructions.

Good luck.