$input = urldecode($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']);

Deleted

$input = urldecode($_GET['textarea']);

or (but less eficient)

$input = preg_replace('#textarea=(.*)&#si', '$1', urldecode($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']);

The $_GET and $_POST arrays are urldecoded automatically.

if i used the POST method of passing variables how would i grap the information from the address bar using

$input = preg_replace('#textarea=(.*)&#si', '$1', urldecode($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']);

thanks

Post vars do not go through the URL :) You would have to use $_POST or $_REQUEST. And Adam is right the $_GET array is automatically decoded. I forgot about that.