The One-Script Advantage
There are many reasons to rely on one CGI script to perform
a variety of functions on your web site: reasonable cost,
familiarity with the script, no extra installation issues.
Probably the biggest advantage for the busy webmaster is
the speed and ease of getting your forms functioning.
So what can you do with our versatile script? Check out
these ideas.
~~ Subscription
Let's suppose you want a subscription form on your site;
not the generic one that your list service provides, but
something that asks for additional information such as the
subscriber's favorite color and whether or not s/he is
interested in paper airplanes.
An email would need to be sent to the list server to
record the new subscription. To accomplish that, the
email's "From:" header line would need the email address
of the subscriber and maybe also the subscriber's name.
You could put your own address in the "Cc:" line to have
a copy of the form contents emailed to yourself.
No problem. We have a "one-script" solution.
You might want the subscriber's email and other form
answers stored in a tab- or comma-delimited flat file
database for later importing into the database program
on your computer. No problem. Database formats are
customizable, too.
~~ Sweepstakes
Let's suppose another form you're wanting is a sweepstakes.
You're limiting one entry per person, so you want some way
to catch the cheaters.
You can log the IP address along with email, name, and
other form data in a flat file database, like above. Later,
you can import into your own database program, sort on the
IP address field, and spot duplicates.
If you want to be really picky about duplicates, you could
use some JavaScript cookie code to insert a unique
identifier into a hidden form field. The hidden form field
can be made "required," which would cause an error message
unless both JavaScript and cookies are turned on. Later, if
more than one instance of the same identifier is found in
the database, you've spotted yourself a cheater!
~~ Recommend
Maybe you would like a "recommend me" function for your
site.
The "one-script" solution makes it easy.
Simply customize the outgoing email message to your liking,
possibly with a spot for a message the site visitor may
write to the friend. You can "Bcc:" yourself, if you want,
and/or store the emails, names, etc in a database for later
retrieval.
~~ Auto-responder
Let's suppose you have several auto-responders set up, and
you would like a form with checkboxes so your site visitors
can request more information.
Specify the value="_____" for the form checkboxes to the
email addresses of your auto-responders. Then the selected
addresses can be listed on the "To:" line separated with
commas.
~~ Paper Forms
If you have a copy of a paper form on your site that
people can print out, an apartment rental or product
distributorship application for example, then you might
want to fill in some of the blanks for them before they
print it.
Have them fill out a web page form with the required
information and then present a custom "thankyou" page
that is actually the off-line form simulation with the
information already inserted.
~~ Multi-page Forms
If you have a form asking for so much information that
the page is really huge, it might be more palatable to
your site visitors if it were presented as multiple pages.
Or, your form may have logical groups that are better
presented in multiple pages, such as a genealogical
questionnaire where each parent of a family is asked to
provide similar types of information.
~~ Feedback
Visitor comment or feedback forms are commonplace, allowing
site visitors to communicate kudos, suggestions, and other
comments to site owners. For this, or any of the
above-mentioned types of forms, a "thankyou" page
personalized with the visitor's name can be presented
whenever the form is used.
What it Is
What is this magical script? Master Form, one of the
favorite commercial CGI programs in the Master Series. [Note: the current version of this software is Master Form V4]
Master Form doesn't do file uploads. *Yet.* It doesn't do
mathematical calculations on specific form fields. *Yet.*
Those features are planned for the next version.
[The upgrade has been completed. It now has those features.] But it does just about
anything else related to collecting, storing, emailing,
and presenting form information.
A Closer Look
One way to grasp the potentials of a program is to read
the manual. Master Form is very versatile, and its manual
reflects that fact.
At the product description page, you can also play with a demonstration
and/or download an example multi-page form with
personalized "thankyou" page.
Simplify your life!
Question:
Did you find this article interesting and understandable? How can it be improved?
Your response is anonymous.
When done typing, click anywhere outside the box. [more info]
Will Bontrager
©2001 Bontrager Connection, LLC
Please note:
Articles on this website are presented "as is". However -
If you have a question about a CGI script, HTML, CSS, PHP, or JavaScript
Ask one of our Experts and you'll have your answer!
Click here for details.
