Introduction

CGI*Star, the World's first and most powerful scripting tool, is even more powerful in CGI*StarPro. This highly rated software offers a simple and dynamic way to create Common Gateway Interface scripts (CGIs) to process forms in web pages. CGI*StarPro organises user feedback in readable format. You don't need to write a program, CGI*StarPro does it for you!

CGI*StarPro makes it possible for every web writer to effortlessly create CGIs to process their HTML forms. There is no need to learn complex programming languages or to hire a programmer to write your CGIs. CGI*StarPro will create a Perl script that will process the input from your HTML forms and  forward that input in an email to a specified email address(es). Even if you are an experienced Perl programmer CGI*Star can save you hours of work by rapidly creating the basis of your CGI script and leaving you to add any extra functionality you require.

Now, new in CGI*StarPro, your forms can use a CGI on the WebGenie server! By clicking on 'Auto CGI' and letting the program add a few lines of  code in your HTML file, you are set to use the CGI on WebGenie's server. Simply placing the HTML file on your webserver will make your forms interactive.

Of course, if you choose to make CGIs for your own UNIX or NT webserver, you can easily make them my typing in a few details and pressing ‘WriteCGI’. A fully functional CGI will be created on your hard disk. You will then transfer this CGI file to an appropriate directory on the WWW server and set its protection to world read and executable, if the webserver is UNIX-based (e.g. by the command, 'chmod 755 filename.cgi'). If making the CGI for NT this step is unnecessary, however, the perl program directory must be specified in the ‘PATH’ variable of the server.

New Features in CGI*StarPro

More Info

System Requirements

CGI*Star In Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Auto CGI

UNIX CGI

NT CGI

Forms Expert

Register


New Features
New Features in CGI*StarPro

As direct response to user feedback we bring you the following enhancements in CGI*Star:

•	Unlimited number of Form elements. You can have any number of form elements, however, duplicate checking is not performed if the number exceeds 256.

•	No constraints to the form ID specifications. Now you can have spaces and non-alphanumeric chars in the Name IDs. Thus, it is now possible to give meaningful names to the IDs so that the returned form input will make sense to a third person receiving it. If you prefer to have cryptic name IDs in the form you can specify meaningful mail captions when creating the CGIs. (Note: This option works only when the CGI is running on your webserver).

•	Form declaration and form elements can span more than one line.

•	Multiple form elements in the same line is permitted.

•	Mandatory fields and buttons can be specified. For this, all you have to do is place an asterik (*) in front of the name IDs that are listed in the CGI-generation module(s).

•	Option to send a personalized acknowledgment mail message to the user. By keeping a text file containing some text you can instruct the CGI to send it, with first-name addressing, to the user as an immediate and personal acknowledgment.

•	Option to store the form input in a cumulative file. The user input can be stored in a text file on your server in one of three formats, viz. (1) as mailed to you, (2) Tab-delimited and (3) comma-delimited. The latter two options let you import the data directly into your favourite  database program.

•	Option to receive unfilled text entry elements. If there are text input boxes unfilled by the user these will show up in the mail message.

•	Auto refresh feature to go to a specified page after sending the mail. You can opt to redirect the user to a new page upon successful form input.

•	Very few possibilities of run-time error in the CGIs.

•	Color configuration for pages generated by the CGI. You can choose the background color that will be used for pages generated on the fly by the CGI (e.g. the acknowledgment screen)

•	A forms' expert that creates specific types of template forms at the click of a button.

•	Order and feedback forms are implemented already. More are on the way.

•	These templates come with JavaScript controls to ensure that the user has filled in the mandatory fields. This is in addition to the CGI-enforced mandatory field checking.

•	And, most importantly…

You can now choose to run the CGI on WebGenie's server#.

This means..

•	No need for your own cgi-bin.

•	No hassle of setting up and testing the CGIs.

•	Your forms come alive instantly.

# Unregistered users get a 30 day trial period. Registered users get a 3 month free period and renewable extensions at a low premium (purchased as units of 3, 6 or 12 months. See http://www.webgenie.com/Order for details on pricing)

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The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and CGI*StarPro

The use of E-mail for enquires and orders is becoming more and more widespread as companies realise the enormous potential of the Internet. Unfortunately in the past getting feedback from customers in a clear and useable format has been difficult and has required knowledge of programming languages such as CGI (Common Gateway Interface) or PERL (Practical Extraction and Reporting Language). CGI*StarPro has solved this problem because it automatically creates the necessary CGI scripts to process the forms contained in a HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file, therefore allowing anyone who can create a HTML document to also create CGI scripts to drive their forms.

Creating a CGI script is not a trivial task even for the most experienced programmers and is virtually impossible for those with little or no programming knowledge. It is not possible to import and use an existing CGI, as each form requires a CGI specifically written for it. While it is possible to adapt an existing CGI written for another form, it requires very careful editing and can take hours.

Even if you are an experienced PERL programmer CGI*StarPro can save you hours of work by rapidly creating the basis of your CGI script and leaving you to add any extra functionality you require.

An easy to use utility to create CGIs for forms in HTML documents, at the click of a button, is what CGI*StarPro provides. The program recognises the individual form elements (e.g. a button, text entry box, list box, etc.) automatically, irrespective of the method by which the HTML file has been created, and makes a completely error-free CGI that is specifically suited for it. In order to receive the form input as a mail message the user simply has to upload the CGI to the webserver and set an appropriate link from within the HTML file.

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System Requirements

The minimum system requirements are:

•	IBM or fully compatible PC with 386SX or higher processor.

•	Windows95, Windows NT or Win32S operating system

•	2 MB disk space

•	8MB or more RAM


CGI*StarPro in Action

CGI*StarPro generates CGIs for Forms which give you power to:

·	Generate and increase sales for your products and services.

·	Find out what your customers really want.

·	Survey people from around the world.

You can also use CGI*StarPro to generate forms to:

·	collect enrollments for courses

·	obtain subscription information

·	collect user queries and obtain feedback.

CGI*StarPro is currently being used to great effect by:

·	small and large business

·	educational institutions

·	community organisations

·	people with their own homepages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I upgrade my registered product?

    A: To upgrade your registered software, simply download the latest version and install it. Run the application and double click on setup. This will replace your existing version and automatically transfer the registration code to the new version.

    Q: What is CGI and how does it work?

    A: CGI (Common Gateway Interface) simply means the type of executable program that will run on a server connected to web. These files may need a .cgi extension for the system to know they are executable but they can be anything from perl scripts to binary executable files. It is by accessing these CGIs that HTML forms come alive.

    Q: What happens to the CGI script that is generated?

    A: The file that is generated must be uploaded to your server, simply ftp to your server directory that is cgi enabled, usually cgi-bin, if you don't know which directory this is then you should ask your sys admin about this. Once the file is located in the cgi enabled directory you will need to change the file permissions on it and then it is ready to run.

    Q: How do I change the file permissions on my cgi file once it is on my server?

    A: To make it executable over the web to anyone accessing your cgi you need to change the file permission, to do this you will need to telnet onto your system and change directory to where your files reside, then from the command line type 'chmod 755 myfile.cgi' ( no quotes ) ....now the file is active, ready to be accessed as a cgi.

    Q:What's the problem when I get a server 500 error?

    A: There are two main reasons you might be getting this error, firstly you will need to check that the Perl program path is specified correctly. Secondly, your webserver must be configured to recognize *.cgi as a CGI program (most servers are configured this way, but if you get a "Method Not Implemented" message, please ask your sys admin)

    Q: I can't download your software what do I do?

A: Due to some browsers having difficulty downlaoding the software there are two approaches you can try, firstly try shift-clicking on the link, this will force the download to be saved as a file, if this doesn't work you will need to ftp to the site and download the file you want. You can try anonymous FTP to the webgenie server with the following details:

Host: www.webgenie.com

Username: anonymous

Password: Your complete E_mail address

Directory: /pub

File	: csp32.exe

    Q: When I run the script all I get is malformed header error, what's going on?

    A: This probably means that the perl cgi script is not being executed due to some compilation error. If this is the case you should first check that the perl path you set for the cgi is the same as you get when you telnet to your server and type 'which perl'. If they are the same, try typing the name of the CGI file and pressing return. If there are compilation errors they will be reported. In most cases you can resolve the errors by yourself, and edit the CGI to correct them. If an error message does not make sense to to, please send a copy of that message text, together with the CGI file, to support@webgenie.com. We will analyze the error for you and suggest a solution.

    Q: What mailer do I use for NT?

    A: Both 'postmail' and 'blat.exe' are freeware available on the web. Check the CGI*StarPro download page for an addresss of postmail. Both these mailers are supported by CGI*StarPro

    Q: What does it mean when my script returns with an 'internal error'?

    A: Usually this means that the email specification is incorrect, check out the answer to the server 500 error.

    Q: I have already created a form. How do I use CGI*StarPro in relation to this?

    A: If you have some HTML files that contain forms that you have created, then the next steps are easy to get you creating your CGI files. Depending on your server type press any of the buttons, 'Auto CGI', 'UNIX CGI' or 'NT CGI'. This will lead you through some steps depending on how you want to set up your CGI. The online help can be used at any stage to direct you. After pressing the UNIXCGI button, for example, you will be presented with the options of what HTML file you want to embed the CGI, pick the appropriate file and you are away. Next comes how you set up the CGI and where you want the email to go, etc, again the online help is very good and will lead you through the process in as much detail as you require, as you are actually doing it! After this stage the CGI is generated and then you have to ftp this file over to your server, into the CGI accessible directory of your system ( usually     cgi-bin ....if you don't know which directory this is you will need to speak to your sys admin ) and change the file permission. Then you can run your HTML file locally which will then access your CGI residing on the server.

    Q: How do I get multiple form elements on one line?

    A: CGI*StarPro can handle multiple form elements in one line.

    Q: What do I call my cgi file?

    A: To check if the extension is the correct CGI type, try opening up the file as a normal HTML doc i.e. type its full path and name from within your browser. A CGI will not be opened when you type but will be executed instead. If you see the contents of the CGI displayed on the browser it indicates that the filename extension is not recognized as a CGI. Contact your Systems Administrator.

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Description of module - AutoCGI
Auto CGI

This module is for those who do not have access to a cgi-bin on their server, or do not know how to setup and run CGIs. When using this option the CGI is not created on your PC at all, but your HTML file is modified to use a master CGI residing on the webserver of WebGenie.

How to use:

Like the other modules in CGI*StarPro this one too is extremely simple to use. There are just a few steps:

·	Press "Auto CGI" on the left toolbar

- This asks for input file. Open your HTML file containing the form.

·	Select a form from the list, if there are more than one.

·	Type into their respective edit controls,

- Your E_mail address to receive mail from the form. The E_mail address is the only mandatory item.

- The subject line for the mail.

- Acknowledgment message to the user of your Form. This is a single line of upto 500 chars. Use proper HTML tags, if required.

- Check the form element IDs listed in the box. Put an asterik (*) in front of its name to make any element mandatory.

·	Press "Save"

- Answer "OK" to all message boxes.

·	Open your HTML file and test it. (You must, of course, be connected to the internet to send a request to the WebGenie server. If not, transfer the file to your webserver and test it from there).

- You should receive a mail, containing the FORM input, within a few seconds (sometimes it takes longer for the mail to arrive)

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Create CGI for your own webserver
Creating a CGI for your own webserver

This dialog box asks for some details to create the CGI file to go with your forms. If there are more than one form in the HTML file, then select one from the list that appears.

Mandatory:

E_mail receiver	- Internet address of the E_mail receiver.

Normally only one E_mail address is specified. You can specify more than one address by separating them by commas.

e.g. user1@machine.com,user2@machine.com.  In this case the mail from the form will be sent to both user1 and user2.

In case you want the visitor to your page be able to select the destination of the mail (e.g. sales, support, promotions, etc.) then do the following:

a. Supply any address in the E_mail receiver field to let the program run without an error. It will be overridden by the visitor’s selection.

b. Include a selectable list or mutually exclusive button list of E_mail addresses, with the ID ‘Owner_email’, in the HTML file containing the form. (Note: The ID name is case-sensitive).

e.g.

1. the following HTML code will create a selectable list:

<SELECT Name=Owner_email>

<OPTION Value=sales@webgenie.com>Sales

<OPTION Value=support@webgenie.com>Tech Support

<OPTION Value=promo@webgenie.com>Promotions

<OPTION Value=ideas@webgenie.com>Ideas

</SELECT>

2. this HTML code will create a mutually exclusive list of buttons:

<INPUT Type=Radio Name="Owner_email" Value="sales@webgenie.com”>Sales <BR>

<INPUT Type=Radio Name="Owner_email" Value="support@webgenie.com”>Tech Support <BR>

<INPUT Type=Radio Name="Owner_email" Value="promo@webgenie.com”>Promotions <BR>

<INPUT Type=Radio Name="Owner_email" Value="ideas@webgenie.com”>Ideas <BR>

Subject for E_mail	- Descriptive subject line.

Ticker Off

•	Turn off the message banner line that flows leftwards.

Form IDs:

The form IDs in your form are listed in the edit box. The form IDs themselves are used as the mail captions for each item and, hence, using a descriptive name ID in the form will be helpful. You can use spaces and non-alpha chars in the IDs. Name IDs can be of any length but only upto the first 60 chars are displayed. This will have no adverse effect on the form input. You can also alter the lines to use a different mail caption for each name ID. Putting an asterik (*) as the first character (see below) makes the form element a mandatory item.

How to specify mandatory items:

Mandatory items are those which must be filled in (text entry areas) or selected (radio buttons and check boxes) before the CGI sends the mail. Specifying important items (e.g. E_mail address) as mandatory you can reduce the number of incomplete mail coming to you. In order to make an item mandatory, all you have to do is put an asterik as the first character of the name ID listed in the edit box.

How to ensure return address on the mail message:

In order to ensure that the mail message from the form carries the correct 'Form' address, please do the following:

. 	Include two text input elements, 'User_name' and 'User_email', (case sensitive) in your form.

. 	Make both these items mandatory.

Options: (All options will be saved for automatic loading during subsequent sessions.)

In addition to the above you must also ensure that the mail and perl program pathnames, set from the ‘Options’ (see below) dialog box, conform with your site’s settings.

For UNIX webserver:

Mail Program	- The complete pathname for the mail program.

Perl Program	 	- The complete pathname for the Perl program on your server (only for UNIX server)

For Windows NT  webserver:

Mail Server	- Internet address of your SMTP mail server. Usually this is the same as your webserver.

Mail Program	- Select a mailer or type in your own. If choosing 'postmail' or 'blat' the appropriate code is inserted automatically. If your mailer is different, then find out its exact commandline syntax and type in. Use the variables, '$filename' and '$Owner_email' (no quotes) in place of filename and E_mail address specifications.

This dialog box asks for some details to create the CGI file to go with your forms. If there are more than one form in the HTML file, then select one from the list that appears.

Optional:

Acknowledgement	- Message to be displayed to the user who responded to your form.

Mail non-blank items only

•	Default is checked. Uncheck it if you want ALL fields returned, irrespective of whether the user has filled them or not. Note: This option applies only to text input areas in the form.

Display Mail Contents to User

•	Shows  a copy of the mail message on screen for  the user's information.

Mail this thank you note to the user

•	If the form contains a text input boxes named, 'User_name' and 'User_email', and the user has filled them, then a personalised mail message will be sent to the user. Create a plain text file containing your message and keep it in the same directory as your CGI. (Note: if placing this file in a different directoy, then supply the full UNIX pathname of the file. e.g. /usr/home/people/smith/public_html/message.txt. Typing 'www.machine.com/message.file' will not work.

Your organization/Name

•	This name will be used in the ‘From’ field to send the thank you note. If you omit this, your return E_mail address will be used instead.

Collect form input in text file

•	In addition to mailing the user input, it can be appended to a specified file. Specify a file in the same dir as the CGI. Give full pathname if different directory. Ensure that the directory is writeable by issuing the 'chmod 777 dir' command under UNIX.

•	Tab or comma delimited. Select one of these buttons to store only the user input (i.e. mail captions are not included) in a text file.

Page refresh to this URL

•	Give the full or relative URL of a page to be displayed 5 seconds after the acknowledgment screen. Leave this field blank if you do not want to refresh the page. Uncheck the button if you do not want a new page displayed. (Note: If you have opted for ‘no acknowledgment’ then ‘no page refresh’ option will not work. In this case the browser will show your home page upon successful completion of the CGI).

Page Color

•	The background color of the pages displayed by the CGI  (e.g. the acknowledgment message) can be configured here.

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How to Obtain the registration code
How to Obtain the registration code:

    	You can register the software via the order page on the web, at http://www.webgenie.com/Software/order.html.

There are three ways in which you can place the order for the registration code:

•	Secure Online Order Form

        Online credit card orders can be made with confidence on our secure server. Follow the link to the secure online order form, complete the details, and submit the form. Your encrypted order will be emailed immediately to us safe and sound.

•	Automatic Order Form

        If you wish to order by fax or post, complete and submit this form and it will automatically generate a completed order that you can print  and send to us along with your payment. Nothing could be easier! You may also use this form to order by email in which case your unsecured order will be sent directly to us for processing.

•	Manual Order Form

        If you prefer you can print out our blank order form. Complete all the fields in the form by hand and fax or post it along with your payment.

What happens when you place the order:

    About 2-3 days after having received your order and payment we will email you a personal product registration code. This code will remove the initial 14 day evalution period time limit on your product and make it fully functional. As a registered user you are entitled to:

·	Free technical support

·	Free minor version upgrades

·	Discounted major version upgrades

·	An opportunity to be Star*User of the Week.

How can you send the payment?

    We accept payment by:

·	Credit Card (AMEX, Visa and Mastercard) via email, fax or post.

·	Check from a bank in your country in your country's currency by post.

·	International Money Order in Australian dollars by post.

How to enter the registration string:

 - Click on the button, 'Register', on the top toolbar, to start the dialog, which lets you enter the registration key string to override the expiry date of the program.

·	Type in the registration string (exactly, including the hyphens; no spaces) and press the button marked, 'Record Code'.

·	Exit the program and restart. (The registration will take effect only after exitting the program).

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Forms Expert

The forms' expert that creates specific types of template forms at the click of a button.

•	Order and feedback forms are implemented already. More are on the way.

•	These templates come with JavaScript controls to ensure that the user has filled in the mandatory fields. This is in addition to the CGI-enforced mandatory field checking.

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