How To Bring Your Web Site to Life With PHP & CGI?
PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor, better known as PHP, is a
highly popular, server-side scripting language that can be
embedded directly into HTML coding.
PHP can do anything that CGI can do, such as process form
data and auto generate dynamic content, but PHP can do much
more.
It can be used on all major operating systems and supports
most web servers.
PHP is used by inserting PHP code inside your web page's
HTML code. When the page is called, your server
automatically executes the code. What's more, your visitors
don't need any special plug-ins for the code to run, as it
will be displayed just like your HTML coding.
As PHP is a server-side scripting language, although your
visitors will not need to install any new software, PHP
must be set up on your server.
Following is a very simple script that will test your server
to ensure PHP is installed. It is a standard PHP function
called phpinfo, which instructs the browser to print out
information in regard to the set up of your server.
To use the script, simply copy the following three lines of
code and paste them into a plain text editor, such as Note
Pad.
Note: To enable the code to display properly, a period has
been added following the opening bracket. You'll need to
remove this period prior to using the code.
<.?
phpinfo();
?>
Save the file as phpinfo.php and upload it to your server
where you store your HTML files.
To run the script, simply point your browser to the script
address. It should look something like this:
(http://www.yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php)
If PHP is installed on your server, you will be presented
with a page of information about the PHP installed on your
server.
If PHP isn't installed, you will be prompted to download the
file. In this case, you'll need to contact your web host and
ask them to install it, as it is free to download and
install.
You can learn more about PHP and download it at
(http://www.PHP.net).
If you'd like to try some PHP scripts on your site, here are
some great scripts to get you started:
PhpAdsNew - Rotating Ads
(http://phpadsnew.com/two/)
If you'd like to have a rotating ad system on your web site,
this great script is an open-source ad server that provides
a professional ad management and tracking system. Not only
can you rotate banner ads, but you can also rotate buttons,
pop-ups, text ads, DHTML banners and much more.
PHP Message/Quote of the Day
(http://www.interaction-design.org/scripts/quote_of_the_day/)
If you're looking for a simple way to display a "Quote of
the Day," this script is for you. It consists of a simple
script that's easy to customize. You simply add any number
of quotes, tips or whatever you'd like, into the database
and the script will display a new message each day.
BMachine - Blogging
(http://boastology.com/)
Would you like to start your own blog? This script will
enable you to do just that. It's loaded with features,
including calendar, file attachments, event display,
unlimited categories, IP blocking, referrer tracking, search
and much more.
Clicks Counter Pro - Link Tracking
(http://www.clicks-counter-pro.com/)
Testing and tracking your marketing strategies is an
important part of doing business. Clicks Counter Pro is a
PHP script that will enable you to track your clicks,
downloads and advertising campaigns with real time
statistics. Very reasonably priced.
Link Department - Link Indexing
(http://www.hitcode.com/products/linkdept/)
If you've ever wanted an easy way to set up a link indexing
system on your site, this script may be your answer. Link
Department will enable you to easily create and maintain a
link directory. The system is fully manageable and
completely template driven, so it will easily blend in with
your existing design.
PhpDig - Search Utility
(http://www.phpdig.net/)
If you would like to enable your visitors to search your
site, PhpDig is a web spider and search engine utility you
can install on your web site. This powerful script indexes
your pages and builds a glossary of keywords found in the
page.
PhpBB - Bulletin Board
(http://www.phpbb.com/)
PhpBB is a fast and efficient, highly customizable, open-
source bulletin board system. This highly professional
looking system will enable you to create an interactive
community on your web site and keep your visitors coming
back again and again.
To learn more about PHP, visit the following web sites:
(http://www.alt-php-faq.org/)
(http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/)
To find more PHP scripts, visit the following web sites:
(http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/index.html)
(http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/)
PHP is a freely distributed open-source language, which
means if you would like to learn the language, there is a
wealth of information available on the Internet to assist
you. Why not give it a try? You may be surprised how easy it
really is to write your own scripts.
Use CGI to Automate Your Web Site
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 recommend 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.
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