How to save form data? 1

[pinto19]

Hello, Heres what I have and hoping one of you could help me out. I have a web page that I used using MS Frontpage 2003. There are 2 frames for this online test that I created. On the right are 20 questions, and on the left place to pick the answers for those questions using A B C D radio buttons. These pages are saved to a local drive not published any where, however about 200 people have access to them. Currently once some one picks the answers on the left, they have to print the frame that shows what there answers were. My question is how can I save those answers to a text file rather than printing them and manually entering in a file for later use. I do not have web access to use any kind of server. If I use database, front page creates .asp file & I beleive I will need asp server for it. These users dont have email either, so the results cant be email to me. They will need to be able to save them as text file to a central location. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[spewn]

what type of OS are you using, and everyone that will access these forms has the same OS, networked through one main comp?

- g

 

[pinto19]

some of them have Windows NT, and some Windows 2000 pro. Is it possible that I can have say VB macro to save the information in the text area or the forms to save as text file if JS cant do this?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[spewn]

yes, although i'm not too familiar with VB in a webpage...however, are all the files being served from one location (networked through you)?

what i would do is set up the IIS server on 1 windows box and then serve the other comps from there. in this way, you can affect text files server side...it's pretty simple to do, and may work out better for you in the long run, as things develop and you hit the ceiling w/client side stuff...setting up the server will allow you to run databases and enable more functionality in your pages...

is this an option you would like to pursue?

- g

 

[pinto19]

Yes, all files for the web pages are stored at one location in once folder. Any text files saved will be in the same folder as well. I am not very familiar with servers and such, i just know how to create the web pages using frontpage and know little bit html. I could use my machine as the server if needed and can be done. Would the user be able to name the text files as there may be more than one person trying to submit at the same time?
Again any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[spewn]

yeah, the person could name the file, you just would have to perform a check to make certain that file name didn't currently exist.

as far as the server (win2K) set up goes (assuming you have all the current windows updates):

1. go to start -> settings -> control panel -> add/remove programs
2. click 'add/remove windows components'
3. click IIS
4. install

after install:

5. go to start -> settings -> control panel -> administrative tools
6. open "Personal Web Manager"
7. click 'advanced' icon on left
8. click 'edit properties
9. change 'Directory:' to point to your folder
10. click the Execute '(including scripts)' radio button
11. click OK
12. click on 'Main' and make certain 'Web Publishing is on.'

you should have the server now, and you can reference your site by typing in "

http://nameOfComputer/"

and then your index file or whatever you want to view.

when you're done, go back to windows update and there should be an update for the IIS...

does this make sense?

- g

 

[pinto19]

I will try this at work today. I am assuming theres more i have to do after this, right? Sorry about the ignorace, I am very new to this type of things.

Thanks for your help.

 

[spewn]

actually, this will create the server and PWS allows a GUI to administer the IIS. you're basically ready to go.

as far as the ability to run server side languages, you probably have to d/l the required software...for instance, i had to d/l perl from activestate.com to be able to run perl scripts on my box, and then i had to associate the .cgi extension manually...although it was all very easy to do.

as far as .asp, i believe that IIS is already equipped to run those scripts.

after installing IIS, you should get mySQL database,

http://www.mysql.com.

also download mySQLCC, which is a GUI for administering the database easily.

it was a little work, but all worth it in the end. i set mine up a long time ago, and now i can run complete sites from my laptop instead of having to upload to live server for testing.

the best thing about all this is having tek-tips at hand...so you're never alone in your quest.

- g

 

[pinto19]

Finally I got around to trying to get this to work. I have created a page using MS FP and have the forms save to a DB (Access). published it to the Data folder that IIS created. Now I just point to

http://machinename/pagename.asp

and all the data submitted from the forms get saved in each individual DB named after that particular page; works like a charm. I am able to send memoes out to my employes that they can read and consent by typing their empl ID and name and such and I can track who read them and stuff.

Thank you so much for your help.I know if am doing lot of forms I may have to get mysql or something like that, for now MS Access is working ok as I will have each page with forms out on the floor only for a few days.

Thanks again.

 

[spewn]

no problem. good luck!

- g