Stories about the use of the hotlink detection HotlinkALARM software.
Central Prices File For Easy Site-wide Changes
Here is a way to manage product pricing from a central repository. Make a price change in one file and the price is automatically changed on all web pages using the system.
"Tip Jar" Software
for a
Custom Paypal Donation Link
I will show you how to make your very own custom designed tip jar, and hide your email address.
Making Graphical Bars On The Fly
Code to make graphical bars on the fly for web pages.
You've seen the "previous" and "next" links on some web pages with multi-page articles. The site owners are not hand-coding all those links, not if they're smart. Here is a smart way to do it.
PHP lets you deliver custom web pages to your site visitors. But, how does it do that?
Last week's featured article in Possibilities ezine was A File Download Counter. Clicking on a download link launches a web page a to initiate the download.WebSite's Secret members have access to a PHP download counting script that is a direct download, no interim web page.
Sometimes you want to know how many people use the download link you provide. This article provides a PHP script to get that information. Link to a PHP script instead of to the downloadable file.
What Are People Really Looking For At Your Web Site?
Knowing what search terms folks use to find your web site is one thing. Knowing what they are really looking for is quite something else.
Simple and Effective PHP Log-In Page
Log-in authentication system for PHP control panels/dashboards. Easy to implement.
PHP Include Files Save Website Maintenance Time
PHP is available on most web servers, now, and even if you don't know the PHP programming language, the "include" functions that PHP offers are easy to implement.
Would you like to know which search terms visitors use to find your page? The search word or phrase can be printed on the page itself, logged to a file on the server, or emailed to you.
Installing PHP software is straight-forward: Upload the script files into a public directory of your server. And a few more things to be aware of.
Getting Status Code and Server Type with PHP
Status code information can useful while testing software. Knowing the server type where a client's domain is on can be useful when recommending software. The article provides a copy 'n paste PHP script to snoop on servers.
Have you been spammed with your own forms? We'll talk about how that can happen. You'll learn about things that can be done about it.
The Conception and Birth of Hotlink ALARM
Hotlink ALARM is image theft prevention software designed to thwart image hotlinking except by authorized domains. Various things can be done to the web page where unauthorized hotlinking is taking place. Protection is site-wide.
Changing Link Referrer Information
Let's suppose you have a secret web page. And it has links. When a link is clicked, your web page is no longer secret. Because it is the referrer, the destination server and web page know where your no-longer-secret page is located.
Mari wanted something like a news headline ticker for our websites. So I made one. We named it Attention Ticker because it's good for so much more than just headlines. And, we are making it available to you at an appealing price.
Dropdown Navigation List Generator
Creating clear and effective navigation links for large web sites can be a real challenge. One solution is dropdown lists. Here is a dropdown navigation list generator.
I'll show you how to run PHP on certain web pages, without the hassles of renaming pages, whatout breaking incoming links and putting up redirects for search engine spiders.
Repeat Visitors See Content Change With PHP
Sometimes you want to say one thing when a person first visits a page on your web site, and a different thing when they come back or when they visit another page.
ViralMeter for Measuring Viral Marketing Reactions
You release an ebook. It goes viral. The free ViralMeter is designed to answer those question of what made it go viral.
Setting and Viewing Cookies with PHP
Here is a fun way to learn about cookies by setting them and then viewing them.
When SSI content must be included within a PHP web page, and the content can not be retrieved with PHP, this technique can work.
When you want to know what type of server your competitors use for their domains, or your friend across town, who you gonna call? Bontrager, of course.
Real Time Reader Feedback Within Your Articles
This article describes a way to enhance understanding of a reading audience. Understanding an audience is key to writing content the audience easily understands.
Publishing Information Collected by Web Form Directly To A Web Page
Content submitted with a form can automatically be added to a web page. The example in this article adds member contact information to a web page when a form is submitted.
Directory Zip is such a useful tool. Every Saturday, it compresses our sites into a ZIP file and sends us an email. The email has a one-click download link.
Using Changing Content With Tab Panels
Tab Panels are an attractive method of organizing a lot of material on your web page in an accessible format. Changing the content with one or more these methods makes maintenance easy.
Your Form Knows URL Of Previous Page
You have a web page with a recommend form or a form to request more information. You have links to the form at various web pages. And you want the form to know which web page the user came from. This article shows you how to give the form the URL of the web page where the link was clicked.
Unsubscribe Link With Master Form V4
When you need to publish an unsubscribe link in emails, the Master Form V4 form handler can be used to record the unsubscribing addresses. The addresses can be put into a database file and/or emailed to you.
Now, Go Short URL software makes short URLs with your own domain name in the URL.
Mari created a software vending machine and it is now live. Ten software titles are available.
Automating DNS Change Propagation Check
Today, I changed the DNS settings for a client's web site. I wanted to do a thorough check of the site's blog, scripts, and links as soon as I could after the change. So, I automated it instead of manually checking it from time to time.
Recommend forms on web sites can hold privacy concerns for your site visitor. This article presents a practical option, the affordable Email .This. Link software.
When web pages are moved or their files remaned, it is good to put a "redirect 301" line into the .htaccess file of site's directory where the web pages are moved from. This gives visitor's browsers and search engines the information they need to determine the web page was permanently moved to the new location.
The Information You Want, When You Want It
Let the reader control when (and if) the next email in a sequence will be sent -- instead of sending the entire series at pre-determined intervals.
Automatic Copyright Year Updating
Soon, the new year will be here. And there will be a scramble to update the copyright year printed on web pages. Would you like to update your web pages' copyright line for one last time? No more yearly chore?
Many feel certain a secure server connection means information is secure. But that's not so. With a secure server connection, only the transmission of information between browser and server is secure.
For link checking, I found Integrity from http://peacockmedia.co.uk/ (for Max OSX) to be better than Xenu from http://home.snafu.de/tilman/ (for Windows). Not that you have a choice, unless you use both operating systems.
How Can Forms Make Sure JavaScript Is Turned On?
Many forms use JavaScript to validate user input, prevent double-clicking, prevent auto-submission, and dynamically change field values. Among other things. Without JavaScript, those forms don't work right.
Running Many With One cron Command
It is possible to run many scripts -- CGI, PHP scripts, anything with an http://... URL that can be loaded into a web browser window -- on one or more domains with one cron command.
Automatic PayPal Payment Email Response
Today, I'll show you how to set up an automatic response to payment received notification email from PayPal.
The main article shows you how to make a one-click poll for plain text (or HTML) email.
When you need to log certain activity on a web page, consider using JavaScript. A JavaScript call with parameters to a CGI Perl or PHP script can log the parameter information.
Inserting Images Into HTML Email
Images can be displayed within HTML email without physically inserting them.
Troubleshooting Email Sent From Scripts
Your script is supposed to send an email to you. Yet, you never receive it. What's the problem?
Meta Description Content Instead Of Title In Search Results
For a freebie, Master Search does a pretty good job. There is no keyword or pre-crawled content database. Any changes on web pages are available instantly as each search scans the web pages anew.
Set Up Once for Repeat Visitors Forever
Setting up a service as described in this article, or variations thereof, can automatically and with near-zero maintenance, bring people back to your site, again and again, for as long as you make the service available.
Automatic Subscription Submission On Survey Results Page
Now you can collect email address (and other information) in conjunction with a survey and automatically subscribe the email address to your ezine or autoresponder.
Master Survey and Mailing Lists
Master Survey version 2.6 (Jul7 17, 2006) can automatically send subscription email to list servers.
If you could give your visitors their preferred link style choice, would you?
Creating Alternate Ads for AdSense and Clicksor
PPC ads like Google AdSense and Clicksor are a great source of income for many web site publishers.
If It Can Be Automated, You Shouldn't Be Doing It
If it can be automated, you shouldn't be doing it.
Master Survey Upgrade Facilitates Display of Results from Many Surveys On One Page
The latest upgrade of Master Survey (version 2.5) lets site owners specify the URL of an alternate web page -- instead of the usual custom-generated acknowledgement/results page.
Pro.Rate(TM) has a near instant feedback mechanism. It allows site visitors to rate an idea or story or product with minimum interruption.
The "no page reload, instant gratification, minimum interruption, easy to implement" rating system is here!
It is easier and faster to just click a link to answer a survey question than to use a traditional form. This type of one-click survey is excellent for plain text (and HTML) emailed newsletters and autoresponder messages.
I've long avoided participating with "rate this" features at web sites because they required a page to reload after providing my vote. Same with surveys and other web page interactions.
Rate the New Rating Software Blog Post
New software running at WillMaster.com lets you provide your rating of blog posts *without* causing a page reload. JavaScript and CGI is combined to make it a pleasure to provide your opinion.
Should you wish to send a WillMaster blog post to a friend (or to yourself) a handy "email this" link is at the bottom of every post. It's safe. It's easy.
'Roll Your Own' JavaScript and PHP Syndication
When you have content on your web site that you wish to make available for others to publish, yet want control of what is published, it can be syndicated with JavaScript or with PHP. Let me stress that you can control *what* is published, not *if* it is published.
FormJobber(TM) was built so forms can submit to more than one CGI program.
Form Info Attached To 'Thank You' Page URL
A friend wanted to send a gift to those who recommend his site. The gift requires the form user be redirected to a third party site along with the user's email address. Question: How do I insert the email address into the URL?
Printer-Friendly Results Page with Master Form V4
We noticed a problem during testing of the new http://TellThePresident.US/ site. In the printer-friendly letter page, paragraphs were all globbed together in one big block.
It's easy to start a blog. But effort and consistency are required to maintain one.
Quick 'n Easy Deception Spoiler
There is a risk associated with linking to other people's web sites in mediums where you can't maintain control. These would be such things as ezines that get mailed out or ebooks that are distributed.
What Exactly Are You Recommending?
One "recommend this web site/page" form can be used to recommend any number of individual web sites, web pages, products, services, and ideas.
Master Merry-Go-Round has been updated so content can be inserted with with JavaScript and with PHP, in addition to the SSI and popup methods the earlier version was limited to.
The Infinite Autoresponder Loop
A user of the free Master Autoresponder asked what could be done to prevent an infinite loop when someone subscribes an autoresponder address to the autoresponder.
Dynamic External JavaScript Files
Dynamic external JavaScript generation, customizable with parameters used to access the web page. The article will explain it :)
Context Sensitive Link Box for Stock Ticker Symbols
If your blog or other web site content includes stock ticker symbols, you'll want this. "This" is Stock Ticker Box, a system that causes a link box to appear when your site visitor's mouse hovers over a stock ticker symbol.
Dropdown Selects Email, But Hides Address From Harvesters
Let's suppose you have a contact/feedback form with a dropdown list of people the form user can send messages to.
Unique Style Sheet For Printer-Friendly Page
Web pages that look good in a browser aren't always ideal for printing.
Downloading and Redirecting From the Same Link
Yesterday, I was asked if it would be easy to make a script that starts a download and then redirects the browser to a different web page.
B-Mailer is awesome and easy to use.
When you're on a Unix/Linux server and you want server software to launch at certain times and dates, you use cron.
Are In-Form(TM) Subscriptions Too Low?
There has been some suggestion that the claims we make might be unbelievable in view of the low price for the service.
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.
Convert System Time Number To Human Readable Date
You have one, several, or many pages on your web site that you want to make available only to those who sign up for your membership. You get a list of addresses and, in exchange, you make certain special web pages available. The web pages are not restricted to certain directories. They can be anywhere on your domain that browsers could normally get web pages.
There may be times when you need to block access to a document directory. (A document directory is one that Internet browsers and spiders/robots generally have access to.)
There is a lot to know about security. Many of the things to be aware of during Internet use and web site management are common sense. Only three are addressed here, pointing out some common sense issues, not as comprehensive treatments.
A Master Secure Form Processor
Master Form V4 is a good choice for processing secure server forms. Install Master Form V4 on the secure server where the web page form is at. The form submission will be secure.
Backup Critical Directories with Directory Zip
Directory Zip is critical directory backup software. It is a back-up system for every directory with content site owners can not afford to lose.
URL Masking - Attainment and Prevention
This article does two things: It tells you how to do URL masking. And, it tells you how to protect yourself if someone is masking your web pages without authorization.
As of this writing, almost 2000 hotlink detections have been reported by users.
Hotlink Alarm Detects 284 Hotlinks Shortly After Installation
HotlinkALARM detects 284 hotlinks shortly after installation, one of which leads to a hotlinking malware site.
Risks of Linking to Others' JavaScript Files
Hotlinking to JavaScript files on other peoples' web sites can be dangerous -- scary dangerous.
A Quick Demo of Blocking Image Hotlinking with HotlinkALARM
Hotlink ALARM can send replacement images or other files to a remote web page (or browser viewing the page) with hotlinks to your stuff.
Harvest-Proof Autoresponder Email Addresses
Ever have your autoresponder's email address hijacked? Some spammer spoofed it as a return address? There are two ways to harvest-proof your autoresponder email address.
Rogue robots might use the robots.txt file to determine where your secret pages are. Here is a method of hiding files from even those critters.
This article will show you how to make a link to download any file on your server without revealing the file's location.
Password Protect Any PHP Page With MMO
Password protect any PHP web page. Anywhere on your domain. Password protect as many individual web pages as you want. The latest version of Master Members Only (version 3.5) lets you do exactly that
Master Members Only can now password protect any individual PHP web pages on your domain. Protect as many as you want, wherever they might be located. Individuals who logged into your Master Members Only web site can access these pages. Others can not. The latest version is 3.5. It is a free upgrade.
Regarding Master Syndication Gateway V2: Could a system be devised to allow some specific parts of content to be published on remote sites but not published on his own site, without requiring the creation of two different files?
A Good and Strong Password Generator
This article presents a few concepts that, if kept in mind, can result in better and stronger passwords.
Using Temporary Download Links Effectively
Giving away free stuff? Giving purchase bonuses? Providing incentives? You'll want to read this article.
Removing Referrer Information From Links (Perl CGI version)
Say you have a web page restricted to certain people, and you link to other web pages. The URL of the web page with the link is likely to be recorded in the destination domain's server logs. There goes your secret.
With regular type="hidden" form fields, anyone who can view the web page source code can see those fields. It's nobody else's business, really, whether or not you have an email sent to you or if you store the form information in a database or what your server paths are. Right? Right
Differences Between Automated Submission and Form Hijacking
Automated form submission can be a nuisance. Form hijacking can be dangerous to financial health. Although the latter includes aspects of the former, the differences in potential consequences are huge.
Boxes with shadows can be visually pleasant and even elegant. They are relatively easy to make with CSS.
Popup Format Different Than Parent Page
When a document goes into a popup, styles may be different than when the content is published on the parent page itself. Here are some solutions.
The CSS overflow property tells the browser what to do with excess content, content that won't fit within a specific area.
Relatively Simple Form Spam Prevention
Form spam happens when a robot or other remote software automatically fills in the fields of your form and submits it. JavaScript is used to detect whether or not the form user is human. If a click in a form field is detected, human is assumed. Otherwise, the form user is assumed to be software.
One-Click Content Reveal and Image Swap
Wonderful things can be done with JavaScript and CSS. Today, you will learn how to reveal a block of content and swap an image with one click.
Floating Layer At Cursor Position
This post shows how to implement layers that will display content over existing content just below and to the right of the cursor position.
Here is copy 'n paste JavaScript and easy instructions for creating a floating div layer that can be shown or displayed with a click or a mouse-over.
If you've been holding off on creating sections of your web page to show or hide on demand because you were uncertain exactly how to implement it, hold off no more. I'll show you an easy way. The JavaScript is copy 'n paste.
How To Message Users with CSS Turned Off
If your web page is a mess in browsers with style sheets turned off, here is a way to nudge those users to turn style sheets on. [more]
Here is a neat trick for exact spacing between blocks of content.
How To Keep a Style Tag From Spilling Onto the Entire Page
How to limit the scope of the STYLE tag.
An Unusual But Not Gaudy Link Hover Effect
Cause both an underline and and over line when user's cursor hovers over link.
PHP Script To Test Form Submission Data
A handy PHP script to see what information, if any, a form sends when it is submitted.
Stripping Invalid Characters From Currency Numbers
Currency symbols, commas, spaces, and other characters can wreak havoc with currency calculations. Here a way to strip invalid characters from string values for 3 different programming languages, Perl, PHP, and JavaScript.
Debugging Code that Can Save Hours of Frustration
Some servers just don't provide very good messages in error logs. And some hosting companies don't give their clients access to their error logs at all. This debugging code comes to the rescue.
Debugging Email Generated with a Script
When you suspect that email isn't received because the document being generated in the script is defective somehow, have the email printed to a file where it can be inspected.
The 'Empty Files Creation' Debugging Method
Here is a debugging method I sometimes use when I just can't otherwise find out where a problem is.
Converting form submissions into URLs
Some form submissions can be converted into clickable links or bookmark URLs.
HTML Character Codes at Your Fingertips
HTML Character Codes (HTML Entities) are the codes that make those useful symbols that I often can't recall how to make. An example is the © code for the copyright symbol character, which prints a "c" in a circle. This article puts the codes at our fingertips.
2 Actions. 2 Thank-You Pages. 2 Buttons.
How To Build a Form Like That
I will show you how to build a form that will submit to two different action URLs depending on which of two buttons is clicked. And, I will show you how to change the thank-you page URL at the same time.
Form Answers Confirmation Page with Master Form V4
Master Form V4 makes it easy to present a confirmation page with all the answers the form user provided. The user can then click a button to confirm the answers.
Images Instead of Bullets for Lists
Sometimes an image is more appropriate than the normal dot or disk for list item markers.
Retired Newbies Making Web Pages From Scratch
A month or so ago, I started holding a weekly 2-hour class for basic web page creation. If your business means interacting with Internet newbies, listen up!
Using a mailto: Link When Soliciting Recommendations
There seems to be heightening resistance to giving out email addresses, resulting in a slowdown of "recommend me" form use. Here is an alternative to using a form.
Tooltip flyovers used judiciously can provide help at the very moment it's needed. Supplementary information can be provided for images, form field labels, or certain blocks of text, as examples. The information can be professionally and elegantly presented.
Switch background images like a slide show.
Ajax Content From Other Domains
Ajax has a restriction allowing it to retrieve content only from its own domain -- the domain where the web page is loaded into the browser is the only domain Ajax can retrieve content from. I show you how to get around that restriction.
Here is the source code of an Ajax engine you can use over and over, on many different web pages. With instructions how to use it. The focus is to make Ajax available even to those who have learned no programming skills.
Logging Syndicated Content Page Loads
I'll show how - and provide the means - to do your own logging of content you syndicate to other web sites.
Forms Copied And Pasted To Unauthorized Web Sites
This post is specifically oriented for those who are having problems with others copying their forms and pasting them on unauthorized web sites. The concept, however, can be applied to other web page features -- search boxes or cookies, as examples.
Form text fields may themselves contain a prompt indicating what information is expected. When the field is clicked on, the prompt disappears.
A colored bar extends and contracts, built entirely with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Changing textarea Box Size On-The-Fly
The user can change a textarea form field to any size desired, if you so allow. Ever run into a textarea box that was designed way too small? Or maybe even too big? It can be frustrating. Put your form users in control. Let them change the textarea box size to fit their needs.
One Way to Block Form Submission Robots
They pollute forums, inundate email boxes, corrupt databases with loads of wrong information, and vie with legitimate traffic for use of the Internet. I don't know how to keep them off the Internet. But I can tell you about a way to block them from auto-submitting your forms.
Right-Click and 'Select "[See Article]"'
Downloading the file requires the user to right-click on the link and then save the file. Different browsers have different right-click menus. This JavaScript will print the correct menu item for some of the most popular browsers.
Yes, the code for using Ajax really can be just copy 'n paste. The article linked to in this post provides exactly that.
I'll show you how to prevent pretty much any JavaScript function from running more than once with a cookie.
Use JavaScript to deliver ads to web sites where you are advertising at. I'll show you how.
Reliable "JavaScript-Required" for Forms
There may be times when a certain form may not be used at all except by browsers with JavaScript enabled. The answer is to use JavaScript to publish the submit button. With no JavaScript, there will be no submit button.
When folks fill out your forms, sometimes they type their name in all lowercase letters. And sometimes they type them all caps. Names are personal. Correct capitalization might be a little thing. But it can mean a lot. The JavaScript accompanying this article will adjust capitalization of names.
You've seen images swapped when the cursor moves over a link or the image itself. Today, I'll show you how to do a DIV swap. The DIVs being swapped can contain anything DIVs can contain -- images, text, forms, whatever. The article contains a complete example. Code is included to copy 'n paste into your web page to see it work.
Effectively Requiring Cookies With All Browsers
If you have any web pages that must not be viewed unless a certain cookie is set, this article contains the means to make it so.
Cache-Independent Imported JavaScript Files
Browser caching of content can be a problem if the content is subject to changing between page loads. Here, I describe a technique that works on every browser I've tested. And you don't need any cache-inhibiting meta tags.
Detecting a "Back" Button Click
Certain events can be detected (page load, page unload, page re-focus) and, depending on which order they occur, determine with some certainty whether or not the "back" button was clicked.
Multiple Function Calls with One Onclick Attribute
Once in a while we receive questions like, "How do I run more than one JavaScript function with one onclick= or onsubmit= call?"
A Printer-Friendly Web Page with Non-Printing Elements
Here, I will give you a copy 'n paste example of how to let your site visitors print certain parts of a web page and exclude certains parts from printing.
Multi-Page Forms with JavaScript and Cookies
If your form processing software does not have multi-page form capability, this article shows you how to carry the information from one form page to another using JavaScript and cookies.
Changing Form Action URLs On-The-Fly (an Addendum)
The reason an action URL with a query string rarely works is because a method="get" form, itself, generates a query string for the action URL. The result is a query string attached to the end of a query string.
The intent of this article is to make setting and reading cookies with JavaScript an easy thing for you to do.
Sometimes it is prudent to cloak links by controlling what the browser's status bar displays.
Publishing Content with JavaScript
These are 3 good reasons: (1) To hide your forms from spammers' robots. (2) To publish content pulled from remote files. (3) To hide certain content from search engine spiders.
A Personalized "Thank You" Page With Any Form
When your site visitor uses a form, the "thank you" page can be personalized. The personalization uses information the site visitor provided on the form. Personalization occurs when the "thank you" page is loaded into the browser, whether immediately after the form is submitted or later on.
A tab panel is a panel of content, often bordered, with tabs above it (or on the side of it). When tabs are clicked, different content is displayed for each tab.
Catching Illegal File Extension *Before* It's Uploaded
You have a form that lets people upload a file. The files you want to accept are only certain types — with extensions ".gif" or ".jpg", for example. It would be nice to have something that checks the file name extension right at the form, *before* the file is uploaded.
How to Make a Link that Does Nothing
When an anchor tag is used only for JavaScript functionality, an href attribute is still required. It's a link, after all. This post shows how to keep the browser from visibly reacting when the link is clicked -- the browser won't go anywhere, won't reload the page, nothing.
Mari and I were talking this morning and we came up with a Feeling Lucky button idea. Clicking on it redirects the browser to one in a list of our most popular web pages.
Simulating a Form Submit Button
Form submit buttons are limited in design choices. For example, suppose you want to put a smiley on the button that winks when it's clicked.
Pre-Fill and Multi-Page Forms with JavaScript
When information is passed in a URL parameter to a web page, JavaScript in the web page can pre-fill form fields.
Using JavaScript To Change Form Fields On-The-Fly
Sometimes a hidden (or other) form field needs to have its value changed depending on which, if any, radio button is checked or if something is typed into a certain form field. This post shows you how.
New JavaScript Demonstrations Index
This is a new index, not new JavaScript demonstrations. Yet, it contains JavaScript that you might have long ago given up ever finding.
Resizing Form Fields with JavaScript
Some websites can benefit from a touch of "Wow"; something fun to catch the visitor's attention.
Quick 'n Easy Double-Submit Blocker
Okay, people are clicking your submit buttons more than once, and you get double emails or double database entries. The fix is quicker to implement than it is to read the post.
When a mouse hovers over a link, the link URL is clearly visible in the browser's status bar. Sometimes that is not desirable. This article shows 2 ways to hide link URLs.
It's a Cookie! Get Outta Here!
When a page has performed it's purpose, a cookie can be set to redirect the browser to a different page on subsequent visits.
Making a 'Next' Button or Link
A "next" button or link at the end of an article or a section can be a convenient way to lead the site visitor to the next page in the sequence. This post shows you how.
Hiding a Page From the 'Back' Button
Need to hide a page from the back button? This is one way to do it.
Auto-Filling Billing Fields With a Click
This will show you how to make the shipping address fields in a form be copied to the billing address when a checkbox is checked.
How To Make an Image Roll Over with JavaScript
You've seen images on web sites that putting your cursor over an image causes the image to roll over into another image. This article shows you a method that also tells the browser to preload the second image.
(1) Limit the number of characters that can be typed into a textarea field. (2) Give IE/Win users the ability to switch textarea word wrap on/off.
Spamming You Through Your Own Forms
Are you getting spammed through your own web page forms? If not, remember willmaster.com for when it does happen. They have a solution.
Looking back, I notice that every three years I write about another method of providing instant information. The latest is about the Stock Ticker Box. The complete article is at http://www.bontragerconnection.com/library/library42.shtml
When a form has a dropdown list to select a year, the form creator often extends selections way into the future. Recently, I saw a form with a baby's "expected delivery date" dropdown list containing year selections for every year current to 12 years into the future.
Making It Easier And Faster To Promote A Web Site
Four things good for promoting web sites take a lot of time and are not easy. Until this service came along. From one central place, submit articles, videos, podcasts, and press releases.
Yesterday, I obtained a copy of Patrick Pretty's "Simple PDF News Release Strategy For Internet Marketers," a how-to manual with examples.
Jackie McCutcheon is now applying her creative talents to ebook cover design. Check out her samples. She has a contest going for a free cover design.
Some of the Best Ways to Reduce Spam
Late last year, Steve M Nash interviewed me on the subject of "The best way to reduce spam in 2007 and beyond?" You'll find useful answers about how to deal with spam.
Search Engine Optimization with SEO Fast Start
SEO just isn't one of my talents. I slowly accumulate knowledge and experience from different sources and actions. Day before yesterday, Dan Thies sent me his SEO Fast Start (see http://www.seofaststart.com/ ). It was late in the day when I received it. Within a page of reading it, I knew this was going to be good.
Web-Source.net for Web Site Design and Development Information
Shelley Lowery of http://Web-Source.net has published some of our articles since soon after the Willmaster Possibilities ezine was first published. Her site is a real find for many who happen upon it for the first time.
As of this writing, I subscribe to no less than free 4 ezines published by copywriters. My favorite is Copywriter's Roundtable.
Deborah Bailey and the Barnstormer Design Group have helped many small businesses in Maine, USA, develop or enhance their web presence. They are willing to assist with design, development, maintenance, and marketing.
DL Perry's Intuitive by Design
At Intuitive by Design, the concept is simple -- web site design that works the way you expect it to.
The impression I get from the Digital-Women.com web site is that a digital woman is someone who is sick and tired of the corporate 9 to 5, wants to make good money with a business of her own, and wants to network with others of like mind.
The New Coach Connection is the web site of a virtual community of coaches established in June, 2000. Think business, career, corporate, executive, marketing, and relationship coaching.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the techie stuff you're exposed to every day? Talk to Beth of TechieCoach.com
The Morning Weather Forecast Email
I like my morning weather forecast email. It's an orientation on my surroundings before immersing myself into the business (usually, writing web site software).
I learned things at the http://www.drostdesigns.com/ Web Design Discussion blog. You'll find well-written, knowledgeable articles about web site design, hosting, software, and marketing.
The Weather Wimp site is now about being in weather, weather extremes, quizzes related to weather, and very cute images.
The Secrets of Deliberate Creation
After adding an certain affiliate link to a couple of our niche sites, I more or less ignored it. Sometime later, thinking it wasn't really performing, I was prepared to replace this program with another -- until I took a closer look at the stats. This puppy is beginning to perform!
Merle has been a supporter of our products for what feels like forever and a subscriber of the Possibilities ezine from the beginning (when the ezine was still named "WillMaster Possibilities)."
Resources for Starting and Running Your Online Business
Paul Myers has built himself a wonderful resources directory.
Wanda Loskot and Making Your Business Thrive
Wanda Loskot has written an informative and very useful book for business owners.
Tom Antion's Electronic Marketing is recommended.
"Who-Is" Domain Name Registration Information Software
WebSite's Secret members have access to new domain name registration information retrieval software, released about a week ago. One member registered a new domain for it, whois-for-you.com
This article describes several ways to conduct surveys and polls via email. Most can be implemented with either plain text or HTML email. One, only with HTML.
To let people click on a link to email you with their own email software from blog posts and forums, without publishing your email address directly, do two things.
Business, Personal, and Technological Directions
Your business is headed somewhere. And you have personal goals. It feels better and things seem to work better when business direction and personal focus are in accord. Your tools help or hinder your progress.
100,000+ tests on real hosting accounts. And you have access to the data!
This weekend was the time our server decided to lay down and take a nap.
It is for site owners whose sites are crippled by popup blockers, and those who are otherwise curious about which or how many of their visitors actually do have effective blockers, that this article is written.
Historical Event, the First Skipped Possibilities Issue
After 393 issues, an issue published each and every week, beginning July 27, 1999, this week's issue will be skipped.
Sudden Switching From Windows to Mac
When the PC quits hours before the new Mac arrives, which had been ordered 5 days earlier, you wonder what the Universe is trying to say.
Six eye-opening case studies are available now. They talk about how some important people are using certain Master Series CGI programs.
Free Publicity Opportunity (A Good Kind)
We'll publish a link and details about your web site if we think your story shows how our commercial software is a good solution for you.
Why We Run Our Affiliate Program the Way We Do
We no longer let ClickBank pay commissions on our products. Too many people were using it as a personal discount mechanism. Our own affiliat program lets us do things the way we think best for us and our affiliates.
It's a Mess When You Lose Your Filters
My email program crashed. So I upgraded it. All filtering rules were lost. Zilch.
Suppliers, those who provide products and services your business requires in order to exist in its present form, unless they are exceptional, don't get a whole lot of thank you notes. A few days ago, a client really impressed us.
My, what a sand storm we had yesterday with gusts with impacts as high as 50 mph. The satellite dish on top the RV is designed to take winds up to a maximum of 45 mph. We took it down.
My First Real Movie In a Real Movie Theatre
When I was growing up, we didn't celebrate New Years. The timing was noted, just not celebrated. The only to-do was when Dad swapped the calendars. The whole family followed him around the house while he did it.
Family pictures.
Saturday evening we had Internet. Sunday morning, we didn't.
This Blog Has NOT Been Abandoned
I've been squeezing two projects between the projects already scheduled. Some things have been neglected to work on those.
Traveling and Software Programming
As most of you know, we live in a motor home, parking at this place and that place and manage our Internet businesses and take care of our customers.
We value our customers. In fact, we have a Valued Customer Club that our software buyers, whether off-the-shelf or custom software, may join.
The 'Spammers Hijack Again!' Article Is Ready
If you use any forms that send email, know that there are many, many software titles, probably hundreds, with the vulnerability described in "Web Page Form Anti-Hijacking Considerations" found at http://www.willmaster.com/hijack1 and in "How Spammers Hijack Your Forms" found at http://www.willmaster.com/hijack2
Early Sunday morning, I was happily doing Internet things. Suddenly, the Internet quit.
Expecting Technical Support for Software
If you're going to offer software for sale, think about technical support.
What the Universe Needs Is a New Blog
Let me re-phrase that: There is room for a new blog in the Universe. And I aim to fulfill it.