Harnessing CGI for Web Automation

Jan 2
21:56

2024

Shelley Lowery

Shelley Lowery

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The internet is a treasure trove of powerful automation technologies, one of which is the Common Gateway Interface (CGI). This server application is widely used and resides on your server, performing specified functions on your website automatically. If you've been on the internet for a while, you've likely encountered CGI without even realizing it. Search engines, directories, and forums all utilize CGI scripts. These scripts can automate everything from a form on your website to an affiliate program, giving you the power to fully automate your website.

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CGI Scripts: The Power of Automation

CGI scripts can automate a variety of tasks,Harnessing CGI for Web Automation Articles including:

  • Making your product available for download
  • Processing customer orders
  • Approving orders online
  • Sending customers a password
  • Sending you a confirmation of the order

With these scripts, you can sell your products around the clock without lifting a finger. If you have a subscription box on your website, you're already using a program to process the information. That's a good start, but there are many additional ways you can harness this powerful technology.

The Master Series: CGI Scripts to Get You Started

The Master Series offers a range of scripts to help you get started with CGI automation.

Master Form

This form allows 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. Additionally, you can have multi-page forms with no limit on the number of pages.

Master Feedback

This script allows your visitors to provide you with feedback. It 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

This script enables your visitors to subscribe to multiple ezines by checking the boxes beside the publication they wish to subscribe to. They'll only need to enter their email address one time and won't be forced to leave your web site. This script 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.

Other Useful CGI Scripts

WebBBS

This 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 script supports automatic quoting of message text and email notification of those who want to be informed of new posts. You can find WebBBS here.

WebAdverts

WebAdverts allows you to set up a rotating banner system on your website and track response rates. It enables you to not only set up a rotating banner system, but also set up your own banner exchange. Banners can be displayed on your pages using SSI tags, IFRAME tags, or standard IMG tags. You can find WebAdverts here.

Links

If you've ever wanted to set up a directory, this 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 website. You can find Links here.

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 website. You can find POD here.

Learn More About CGI

To learn more about CGI, visit HowStuffWorks. To locate CGI Scripts, visit CGI Resource Index.

If you're not utilizing the full benefits that CGI has to offer, you're missing out. 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 website an interactive community and bring your site to life.