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HTML is the foundation of any web-site. However, plain
HTML is not able to add interactivity and life in a website. You
need extra spices and colours to liven your website - making it
easier for your customers to navigate and interact with you.
Some of the spices you may consider are:
-
Forms (e.g. inquiry form, order form etc.)
-
Bulletin Board (for Guestbook, on-line Feedback
etc.)
-
Chat room (for live two-way interaction)
-
Search Engine (for quick retrieval of information
)
-
Counters (for noting number of visitors)
-
e-commerce tools (e.g. shopping cart )
-
Database (for registering visitors, access control
etc.)
-
Secure server (for financial transactions like
credit card)
-
Multimedia capability (Sound, streaming video
etc. )
-
Animation
-
Misc applications like Autoresponder, List Server
etc.
Generally, programming tools like CGI, Javascript etc.
are used to create these applications. Some of these applications
are available free form your web-host. For others, you may buy off
the shelf, get developed through in-house or hired programmers or
use free Internet resources.
In this article, we discuss few free and paid resources
for CGI applications. (By the way, the forms and search engine at
infobanc.com site are CGI applications).
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) Resources
One of the Web's most fascinating but least understood
capabilities is its management of interaction between users running
browsers and the programs and protocols on web servers. The cornerstone
that holds up most web-based interaction is the Common Gateway Interface
(CGI), which specifies how browsers (i.e. Netscape, Internet Explorer
etc.) can request services from web-servers. Using CGI, onc can
develop interesting programs allowing visitors to interact with
web-servers in a variety of ways.
Following is a list of web-resources where CGI scripts
for variety of applications are available. Most of these applications
are free, a few may be priced. You may need services of an experienced
professional to use these scripts in your website.
CGI-Factory
Software
- Home of one of the largest CGI program providers
worldwide. Here you can find free software for creating message
boards, banner rotations, ranking systems -top site lists-, and
text or graphical hit counters etc.
The CGI
Resource Index
- Currently has 3838 CGI resources listed in 265 categories
Matt's Free Perl CGI Scripts
- One of the Web's most popular source of CGI scripts.
CGI Network:
- Great resources for CGI and many other types of programs.
Also undertakes custom development
Cgiscript Net
- Web Resource Network
- A powerful webmaster resource network, focusing on
providing advanced webmaster tools and resources such as, CGI /
Perl scripts, custom script development, DHTML / JavaScripts, web
site templates, script installation, tutorials, and timely information
for web developers of varying skill levels.
Bignosebird.com
- Excellent source for CGI programs, demonstrations
and tutorials
EveryChat
- This is a web chat script designed to work under
any browser, to be as simple as possible for everyone, and it is
one of the most lightweight chat scripts out there.
And what happens if you can not find your script in
any of the above resources ? Let's add some interactivity here:
Script Search
- Search Engine exclusively for Scripts.
Allexperts.com
- If you are unable to find a script or want expert
advice FREE, try this. Allexperts.com is the oldest and largest
free Q&A service on the Internet. Free answers to your questions.
Category: Perl & CGI
Related Links:
Source: FAIDA
- Newsletter on Business Opportunties from India and Abroad
Vol II, Issue 23' November 14' 2001
Author :
Dr. Amit K. Chatterjee
(Amit worked in blue-chip Indian and MNCs for 15 years in various
capacities like Research and Information Analysis, Market Development,
MIS, R&D Information Systems etc. before starting his e-commerce
venture in 1997. The views expressed in this columns are of
his own. He may be reached at amit@infobanc.com
) |
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