EMAIL FORMS, HOW DO I DO THEM 1

[loopsta]

I know how to programme them in dreamweaver, but I haven't got a clue as to how the email that is sent gets to the person it should, does this have to go in some script and can I do it myself. I'm having to go into business on my own and I am basically a designer not a programmer, but I at least would like to know how to do basic email forms. Thanks for any help!

 

[Hildegoat15]

you COULD just put mailto:youremailaddy in the action parameter of the form tag, but it's pry best to use CGI scripting to email the form. that way you really aren't dependent how the user sends the email. I'm actually attempting to do the same sort of thing that you wanna do, i just haven't gotten around to it yet. so i've done a bit of looking around msgboards and stuff, and CGI seems to be the way to go. i'd suggest doing a bit of searching around the forums for this sort of thing -- it seems like a lot of people are in your situation.

let me know how it turns out. -Matt

http://www.ranamedical.com

 

[deecee]

most servers offer cgi scripts for emailing forms...just check with your hosting company
sigh

 

[loopsta]

So if the hosting company offers CGI, does this mean all I have to do is create the form and send it to the correct email address. Thanks for your help.

 

[deecee]

well something like that it would more like you would post the file to the cgi script which in turn would process the form and then send it to you rather than from the user. So through your host find out what cgi scripts they offer then just follow the directions its usually faster and easier so set up your cgi then to make a frozen pizza.
sigh

 

[loopsta]

Thanks for the other help again, so can I get this straight, basically I find out from the hosting company the line of code I need to post to the cgi script and them in that form I've created in Dreamweaver I just make sure that I have set up the recipients email address then the form basically sends me(the recipient) the info!!

 

[msharoff]

We use a very handy and customizable free cgi script called "bnbform.cgi". You can check it out and download it here:

http://bignosebird.com/carchive/bnbform.shtml

msharoff

 

[deecee]

pretty much
sigh

 

[sharifsucks]

msharoff, could you explain that script a bit fuher in plain language? i also really need that kind of form but the read me file is way too complicated for me...

i got this page i made in deramweaver and want a mail form on it... how do i get this script on this page? which part do i copy there and also how can i make a thank you page? see the page:

http://afterglowvisuals.com/pages/contact.htm

i've been looking for an answer but these scripts all look like chinese to me.

thnak you

sharifsucks

 

[JillC]

Well, Loopsta, you really need to look on the help pages of your ISP - they are sure to have lots of info. The reason people are a bit vague is that each ISP decides how they are going to allow their clients to use the mail gateway and their requirements/setup/locations may be different.

Basically, it should look something like this:
<form method=&quot;post&quot; action=&quot;

http://www.yourisp.net/bin/mail&quot;

name=&quot;yourformname&quot;>
<input type=&quot;hidden&quot; name=&quot;destination&quot; value=&quot;you@yourisp.com&quot;>
<input type=&quot;hidden&quot; name=&quot;subject&quot; value=&quot;Mail from web page&quot;>
<input type=&quot;hidden&quot; name=&quot;required&quot; value=&quot;name,email&quot;>
<input type=&quot;hidden&quot; name=&quot;resultpage&quot; value=&quot;

http://www.yourisp.com/thankyou.html&quot;>

Your Name: <input type=&quot;text&quot; name=&quot;name&quot; size=&quot;45&quot;>
Your email address: <input type=&quot;text&quot; name=&quot;email&quot; size=&quot;45&quot;>
<input type=&quot;submit&quot; name=&quot;Submit&quot; value=&quot;Send Mail&quot;>
<input type=&quot;reset&quot; name=&quot;Reset&quot; value=&quot;Reset&quot;>
</form>

The location of the cgi script will be determined by your ISP. The hidden fields are to get the email back to you, put a subject line in your email, and redirect the user to your thankyou page. The text fields is what you've already got presumably. The submit button carries out the &quot;post&quot; action, and reset clears the form.

The advantage of using your ISP's script is that the location is nice and close to your website, but it won't look as pretty as some of those scripts you can get from other services.

Hope that helps.