Use CGI to Automate Your Web Site
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Shelley Lowery December 22, 2004
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Are you taking
advantage of the powerful automation technology available on the Internet?
Common Gateway Interface, better known as CGI, is one of the most widely used
server applications on the Internet. This software resides on your server
and automatically performs specified functions on your web site.
If you've been on
the Internet for a while, you've probably seen many examples of CGI use and
didn't even realize it. Search Engines, Directories and Forums all use CGI
scripts. Scripts can run everything from a form on your web site to an affiliate
program. They can give you the power to completely automate your web
site.
There are scripts
online that can automate all of the following:
* Make your product
available for download * Take the customers order * Approve it right
online * Send your customer a password * Send you a confirmation of the
order
You can sell your
products around the clock and never lift a finger.
SuperScripts - http://www.superscripts.com/
If you have a
subscription box on your web site, then you're already using a program to
process the information. That's a good start however, there are many additional
ways you can use this powerful technology.
Here are some great
scripts to get you started.
The Master
Series:
Master
Form
This form will
enable you to have the results emailed to you or to a specified address. It can
write your information to a database file and even enable you to have a
personalized thank you page. In addition, you can even have multi-page forms
with no limit on the number of pages.
Master
Feedback
Allow your visitors
to provide you with feedback. Master Feedback enables you to add your own
information fields with radio buttons, checkboxes, dropdown lists and text
fields. The great thing about using Master Feedback is that it helps you
spam-proof your site by not requiring your email address anywhere on your
page.
Master
Recommend
Word of mouth is
one of the best forms of advertising. Master Recommend will enable your visitors
to ecommend your web site to a friend. This great script is multi-lingual, which
means that the emails sent can be written in any language.
Master
Subscriber Pro
Enable your
visitors to subscribe to multiple ezines by checking the boxes beside the
publication they wish to subscribe. They'll only need to enter their email
address one time and won't be forced to leave your web site.
The great thing
about this script is that it is compatible with ezines hosted with Egroups,
Topica, etc., or any ezine that uses an email address for
subscriptions.
Master
Syndicator
If you write
articles, Master Syndicator will enable you to syndicate your content. You
simply copy and paste your article into a form and click on submit. Your article
will instantly be ready for syndication. To display your content, webmasters
will need to place two small lines of JavaScript within their web page where
they'd like the article to display. Each time you update your article, every
web site using your code will automatically be updated.
The Master Series
scripts can be found here: http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?wsnet/willmaster
WebBBS
This great script
will enable you to set up your own forum. Unlike most bulletin board scripts,
WebBBS stores messages as simple text files and creates HTML pages as needed.
This great script
supports automatic quoting of message text and email notification of those who
want to be informed of new posts. http://awsd.com/scripts/webbbs/index.shtml
WebAdverts Set up a rotating banner
system on your web site and track response rates. WebAdverts will enable you to
not only set up a rotating banner system, but if you'd like, you can set up your
own banner exchange. Banners can be displayed on your pages using SSI tags,
IFRAME tags, or standard IMG tags.
The great thing
about this script is that you can include banners on CGI-generated pages. In
addition, you can filter the banners by allowing certain banners to appear only
on certain pages. This script is a little complicated, but well worth
it. http://awsd.com/scripts/webadverts/index.shtml
Links
If you've ever
wanted to set up a directory, this great script will make it simple. It is
modeled after Yahoo and inspired by The CGI Resource Index. It can be completely
customized to match the look and feel of your web site. http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scripts/links/
POD
The Personal Open
Directory script will enable you to pull the contents of the Open Directory
Project into your own web pages. It is completely customizable and will enable
your visitors to have access to this great directory without leaving your
web site. http://grohol.com/downloads/pod/dmoz/
Learn more about
CGI: http://www.howstuffworks.com/cgi.htm
Locate CGI
Scripts: http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/
If you're not
utilizing the full benefits that CGI has to offer, you're missing the boat. Not
only will it save you a great deal of time, but it will also process your
information around the clock. Scripts can assist you in making your web site
an interactive community and bring your site to life. |