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
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