Starting with CGI

[OddSocks]

Hi there, okay heres the thing, basically don't have a clue... working on a intranet proj.. want to have a forum/guestbook on it.. thinking CGI scripts would work well, but don't know where to start never programmed this b4.. So basically want to know, how do I make my intranet server recognise CGI? at the moment it does not have a CGI-bin directory, which i gather I need, i reckon i need to install software etc.. what do i need to do??? and is CGI the right choice for me?

Told you i did not have a clue.. pls help...!!

 

[tanderso]

Well, you first need webserver software. Apache is the defacto. Then you need to configure it for CGI. You can choose to make only a certain directory (eg: cgi-bin) or all directories capable of running executable files. You can control this with either the main config file or with htaccess files. Then you need to choose a language... I suggest perl, but use another if you already know how to program in another language.

The easiest way to do a forum/guestbook would be to use pre-written software, either commercial or open-source. Tackling it yourself without having a clue will take you on the order of years to complete it. Try searching google for commercial software or sourceforge.net for open-source.

Probably the best solution for you, unless you have far, far more time than money, is to hire someone to do it. Setting up a server (you provide) for web serving and forum/guestbook software (open-source) should run you in the neighborhood of $800 - $1000.
Sincerely,

Tom Anderson
CEO, Order amid Chaos, Inc.

http://www.oac-design.com

 

[OddSocks]

Thanks Tom, for your help... do you know where I'd get hold of Apache???

 

[goBoating]

http://www.apache.org

'hope this helps

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[OddSocks]

Thanks you've been a great help... gonna be on to you again no doubt for more advice..