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
