title: Convert string to UNIX timestamp
body: <p>I'm trying to convert the string <code>11/24/2011 @ 01:15pm</code> to a UNIX timestamp. The format is <code>m-d-Y @ h:ia</code></p>
  
  <p>I can't seem to get <code>strtotime</code> to work with the string. Is there a way to reverse the data function? Is my only choice to create a new non-default php function to convert the string?</p>
  
  <p>The server is running CentOS 5, Apache 2.2 and PHP 5.2.17.</p>