Will Bontrager Blogs Web Site Techniques
CGI Articles
Common Reasons For Internal Server Errors
In relation to Perl CGI scripts, the Internal Server Error can have any one of a number of different reasons. Here is a short list of the most common.
Redirect pages are useful tools -- they can provide a vehicle for counting the CTR on ads, and initiate downloads of your ebook or other files. With this redirect page generator, you can create a redirect page with the ability to cause click logging and/or to send an email with each click. This system can be used for automatic downloads as well as for "normal" redirects
One of our most valuable software titles is free to download. And, it is frequently forgotten. Master Pre-Installation Tester.
PayPal Link instead of "Buy Now" Button
Let me show you how to bypass the hassle of creating a new PayPal "buy now" button every time your selling information changes, and protect your email address at the same time.
50 Things You Can Do With Master Form V4
Download this visual ebook showcasing 50 things you can to with Master Form V4
This is in response to "how can I make a form to upload ..." questions. The reponse is a script with a file upload form and upload confirmation message integrated within it.
Rotate Content with Ease, Elegance, and Style
Content Carousel has superseded Master Merry-Go-Round as the premium content rotator of partial pages and whole pages.
Sometimes you don't want to reveal your email address. But you need to send an email. I will show you how to get it done. Two things have been happening recently that pushed me toward making a no-reply email sending form.
Links to both the new CGI forum and archived answers from the earlier implementation are here. Over a thousand threads with good stuff.
Setting Up Auto-Submission Protection (Without CAPTCHA)
Auto-submission protection is available from Master Form V3 version 4.5 and later.
A Web Notes System for Bloggers and Other Web Publishers
With the Web Notes system, select text you want to quote and drag it into the Web Notes form. Even the address in the browser's address bar can be dragged into the form. Web Notes saves your notes and can email them to you, for use in your blog or article or other document. It can't get much simpler than that.
Yesterday and today, I developed a method of taking notes while surfing that I think you will really, really like.
Site Recommend / Tell-a-Friend Forms
How to build a secure site recommend / tell-a-friend form -- let Master Form V4 handle it. (Link to form generator enclosed.)
What To Do About CGI Installation Error Messages
Here are step-by-step rundowns for solving annoying server error messages you might see when you install a CGI script.
New Automatic Form Submission Prevention System
Automatic Form Submission is troublesome and annoying. I've been working on a prevention for some time. And, now, I am happy to announce the new auto-submit prevention system!
Banning Names or Emails From Any Form
When someone uses your form to harass, and the same name or email address is used consistently, JavaScript can be used to block that use of the form. As the title implies, this will work with any web page form.
Using Master Form V4 From Many Domains
A frequently asked question about Master Form V4 is whether or not a separate license must be purchased for each domain it will be used on.
When you need to see what information is actually received by a script, this will do the job quite nicely. It will accept information that arrives method GET or POST and print whatever it receives in the browser.
Forms in Email and Master Form V4
Master Form V4 can handle form submissions from email just as well as from web pages. But there is a caveat: The email reader the person is using must be able to handle the form in the email.
Four Common Database File Formats
Some database file formats are good for certain things. Some are good for other things. Four are addressed here. Two are plain text formats and two are special formats accessible only with software.
Backup/Restore & Export/Import & Server Move Perl DBM Database Tools
Imagine opening a database file and manipulating it as easily as you would a normal Perl variable. In fact, you can use the same code as you would if it was not a database file. This blog post will provide the tools to back up and restore Perl DBM files and the means to move the information in the files to other servers.
A Game with a New Software Prize
Situation: Many people know about us. We have an excellent reputation. Yet, with dozens of software titles, it's a tough job keeping interested people informed about what each title does.
The Multi-Action Form Submission System
We received 3 inquires, each spaced 2 days apart, about how one would go about submitting a form to more than one CGI program. A solution has been found.
Master Form V4 as a Web Page Mailer
With it's versatility and sophistication, Master Form V4 from http://www.willmaster.com/mfv4 can easily be used as a web page mailer — the "email this web page to yourself or a friend" idea.
New Max Size Limits for Email Recieved by Autoresponders
Master Autoresponder Bank now has the ability to ignore incoming email larger than a size you specify.
Installing Multiple Copies of the Same Software
For multiple installations of a software title, I would recommend a separate subdirectory for each installation.
The Upload Pal (Possibilities Article)
Easy to use free software. Optionally brandable, with unlimited distribution rights. Software you and your clients will love. Limited branding discount link in article.
The Upload Pal for Our Customers
Of you're a Valued Customer Club member and you haven't received your VCC email, here is FTP-bypassing CGI software for you.
1800 Visitors, and Nobody Said a Word
I ensured that all interlinking was to the hyphenated domain name. Then changed the DNS of the articles domain name. Little did I know that the software that delivers the free readings was retrieving the readings template using a non-hyphenated domain name URL.
Did you know you can paste a few lines of JavaScript into the source code your web pages and a subscription form is published in that spot?
An Alternate Method of Testing Web Site Availability
Sometimes it happens, a web site isn't available. You know it should be there, but your browser doesn't find it. Reasons vary from IP being blocked to very busy server at the other end to parts of the Internet infrastructure being in trouble.
Custom Error Page for Master Recommend Pro
Master Recommend Pro provides a generic error page to the form user when applicable. Here are directions on how to insert the error message into your own page.
A few lines of JavaScript code can save a lot of time when creating forms for CGI programs. I use it for pretty much every form processing CGI program I create.
Automated Form Hijack Vulnerability Testing
For over a year, I've been thinking that spammers will develop robots to test forms for vulnerability to hijacking. The robot would surf the 'net and try every form they find. Such a robot would be easy to make.
The free stuff is for those who don't have the cash and still need the functionality.
Master Syndication Gateway V2 Content Syndication Software
The soon-to-be-released, like tomorrow or the next day (only the documentation needs to be finished), Master Syndication Gateway V2 from http://www.willmaster.com/master/gateway1/, was provided to several clients, yesterday, who had been hopping around on one leg anxious for the upgrade so they could syndicate content with PHP as well as with JavaScript.