cgi question

[Sandy]

Ok it's been awhile since I posted a stupid question so here goes:

I know nothing about cgi but if I find the script I'm looking for (a topsites script)
how hard is it to install, or whatever the term is to get it to work?

[pqwabbit]

depends onthe script -
some is way easy just change a few lines ot reflect your perl path and maybe i dunno- something with your url or whatnot- upload and chmod (hehe I'ma poet and didnt know it!)
some you gotta like configure scads - depends on what ou are looking to do.
But onthe bright side - If you're totally cluelss lots of experienced cgi installers floating around these parts http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif Just ask - Im sure you'll get help

Lea

[Deb]

Each script totally depends on how it was written and how much it is expected to do before knowing how difficult it is going to be to install....

Once you find the script you are looking for take a peak at the 'README' file...

From that you will have a better idea of what it is going to take.

If the script only has a file or two.. usually it's a matter of changing just a couple of paths.. if it's many files well.... your guess is as good as mine hehe

Usually the free scripts are as close to 'plug n play' as its going to get..

Once you find the script let us know http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif

Deb
[waiting for terra to return from the server room after our 2nd peace of down time... if there is a month where we will actually be down the entire 1% of the time..this month is it http://www.aota.net/ubb//frown.gif
which makes me wonder... is 99% uptime really worth it? that's like allowing for 7 hours down every month isn't it? or is my math just totally off tonight?

[Sandy]

Thanks http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif

I guess I should find the script first..I figured I would ask cause if it's too hard I wouldn't keep looking for one. Thanks for the help Deb & Lea

Deb..as soon as I figure out how many hours are in a month I'll get the calculator on that one LOL

Sandy
[34 hours without a smoke]
Got Gum?™ hehe

[JoeCD]

Sandy, I came across a nice Top Sites type script the other night. Here's the URL

solutionscripts.com/vault/topsites/index.shtml (http://solutionscripts.com/vault/topsites/index.shtml)

"Top Sites" by Solution Scripts. Some of the other scripts they have are pretty easy to install, and run, so this one should be as well. I haven't tried it yet though.

Good luck! http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif

Joe

[This message has been edited by Joe (edited 11-24-98).]

[Sandy]

Thanks Joe

Much appreciated..I'll go look at it.
http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif

[Solution Scripts]

Hello,

Hope no one mines me promoting a little. My name is Tim Watson, and am the owner and lead programmer for the above mentioned Solution Scripts. From time to time, I like to check how people are getting to my web site, and this url popped up.

We actually have 2 versions of Top Sites, a freeware version, and a Professional version. The freeware version does take some setting up, but is rather easy if you know or have set up a cgi before. (we are working on a browser based auto-installer) Version 3.0 of our Professional version has jst been released, in the pro version all you need to change before you upload the script the first time is the path to perl at the top of eacg cgi file. The rest is done totaly from the browser, where error messages and an online manual can help you out should you run into any troubles....

Not to scare anyone off, but version 3.0 has over 100 different variables, all relating to configuring the Top Sites in different way, so no two should every look the same. Many of the options are color options for your rankings and if are not selfexplainitory, are explained in an online manual .....

We have a full demo running on both versions on our site and would be happy to answer any of your questions.....

Thanks...
Tim Watson
Solution Scripts
http://solutionscripts.com

[Deb]

Thanks for the info Tim.

I was all over your site tonight http://www.aota.net/ubb//wink.gif

I was considering your script for those hosted on FutureQuest to use... unfortunatly it's not in the budget right now but it will certainly stay near the top of my list of scripts I am wanting to purchase for enhancing FutureQuest.

Thanks again
Deb

P.S.
Had it been spam advertising I probably would have removed *g* but since it was us gossiping about Solution Scripts I don't think this would be spam http://www.aota.net/ubb//wink.gif

[Sandy]

ok I guess I should learn more about cgi since you all took the time to help with this http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif I went to the Solution Scripts last night & that one looks good!

[Solution Scripts]

As with HTML, cgi and perl are really not that difficult. On the top that is, some of it gets rather confusing......

But anyone that has a website usually knows something about ftping, ascii and binary, so should be able to set up a cgi script. There are just a few things that one should remember.

1. The path to perl on the top of each cgi script (Not needed on NT) usually is #!/usr/bin/perl or #!/usr/local/bin/perl but might be different on the server you or the makers server, so always check it......

2. Make sure when you upload your files to upload them in ascii, not binary.... This is a major stumbling block for most first time cgi users.........

3. Chenge the file permissions on the cgi script, chmod them.... This will make the excutable... all ftp programs can chmod...
chmod them to 755


If all else fails and you still get errors, the best way to get detailed error messages in run the script via telent..... and best of all you don't need any outside program to use telnet.... just type telent yourdomain.com from a dos prompt.. then go to the dir the cgi script is in and type its name..... admin.cgi or type perl admin.cgi

Hope that might give you an idea of where to start..... cgi can really do some neat things to liven up a web site....

Tim
S.S.

[Sandy]

Thanks Tim http://www.aota.net/ubb//smile.gif

I know the ftp stuff..I'll print your message & hopefully it will make more sense when I try it. cgi is all new to me but I am gonna try it



Sandy

[arcadiaflowers]

Yesterday I tried several times to use the 'menu redirection' script provided in AOTA. It wouldn't work (cut and paste) after going thru the build procedure. I think that maybe I don't have whatever is needed in my domain directory. (? .pl) My cgi/bin dirs are empty. Help?
Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Reger]

Mike -
Did you ever get an answer to this question?
I do not see the file redirect.pl in the cgi-bin folder. This file is listed in the html created in the aota.net guide. I am getting the same errors you got in November. How did you solve it?

The redirection script is already installed on your server. All you need to do is tell the CNC how you want to use it.
If that is true, it is not in my cgi-bin folder. http://www.aota.net/ubb/frown.gif
Thanks for any help you provide.
Ron

[flowersource]

www.midnightmerchants.com/TechHelp/arcadiatest.htm (http://www.midnightmerchants.com/TechHelp/arcadiatest.htm)
Deb sent me here. I ultimately did not use the menu redirection...but I did get it to work. Look at the source code on the link above. Maybe That will help.
Mike

oops...just remembered, 'arcadia' site doesn't exist...but the script does work

[This message has been edited by flowersource (edited 02-27-99).]

[Reger]

THANKS !
I don't know why it worked, but it did work. http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif
The only thing I noticed was a change from
<FORM ACTION="/cgi-bin/redirect.pl" METHOD="POST">
which was the way it was coded in the template from aota.net
Added was the subdirectory redirect
<FORM ACTION="/cgi-bin/redirect/redirect.pl" METHOD="POST">
I added it and it worked.
WOW

[flowersource]

http://www.aota.net/ubb/biggrin.gif
Kewl !

Mike

[Bi4Be]

Hi Sandy.... I don't really have a solution to a good top sites script, but I really really interested in what you are going to use it for.
I was pondering starting one, but I never really thought of anything really really good or productive! LOL! http://www.aota.net/ubb/smile.gif

-Bi4Be