# File lib/rhc/rest/client.rb, line 8
      def initialize(end_point, username, password, debug=false)
        # use mydebug for legacy reasons
        @mydebug = @mydebug || debug
        logger.debug "Connecting to #{end_point}" if @mydebug

        credentials = nil
        userpass = "#{username}:#{password}"
        # :nocov: version dependent code
        if RUBY_VERSION.to_f == 1.8
          credentials = Base64.encode64(userpass).delete("\n")
        else
          credentials = Base64.strict_encode64(userpass)
        end
        # :nocov:
        @@headers["Authorization"] = "Basic #{credentials}"
        @@headers["User-Agent"] = RHC::Helpers.user_agent rescue nil
        #first get the API
        RestClient.proxy = ENV['http_proxy']
        request = new_request(:url => end_point, :method => :get, :headers => @@headers)
        begin
          response = request.execute
          result = RHC::Json.decode(response)
          @links = request(request)
        rescue => e
          raise ResourceAccessException.new("Resource could not be accessed:#{e.message}")
        end
      end