ntl webspace and forms

[jameseyre1]

Hi,
I know the functionality of ntl webspace is limited, but is it possible to use forms (i.e. a simple name/address, etc) that send the data to and email address?

If anyone has the right code and/or settings for a simple form that will work, let me know!

Thanks,
James

[altis]

As I understand it this requires the use of CGI scripts on the server and NTL don't support this. It's a pitty that they don't provide a fixed pre-written script for just this purpose.

Another alternative is to use one of the many form hosting service such as http://www.response-o-matic.com/ - mind you, I've not actually tried this.

[abailey152]

Hi,
I know the functionality of ntl webspace is limited, but is it possible to use forms (i.e. a simple name/address, etc) that send the data to and email address?

If anyone has the right code and/or settings for a simple form that will work, let me know!
BT has a FormMail script that I used to use, and it's open to access from NTL.

The help page for using their script is http://www.btopenworld.com/tools/webpage/form2email/0,6668,,00.html

Of course, you can't edit the script, so you have to setup your form to send the fieldnames they specify, but for basic forms it works fine.

Why NTL can't do the same is beyond me. Mind you, that would require NTL to have some interest in their customers.

[jameseyre1]

I am using Dreamweaver created forms - are these supported by ntl?

[abailey152]

I am using Dreamweaver created forms - are these supported by ntl?
Well, you can use forms, but it's how you get the information sent back to yourself. The simplest method is by using a FormMail script. The form's SUBMIT button would then call this script. Unfortunately NTL does not support scripting. You have no cgi-bin directory, and they do not support ASP either.

Now you could just use the "mailto" command for the SUBMIT button, to mail an attachment containing the form's contents back to yourself but this is ugly. You should use a script. As others have said, you could use a scripting service, that will supply pre-written scripts or will host your own. On the otherhand you could use someone else's scripts (BT for instance).

[br3ach]

No scripting is supported by your NTL webspace unfortunately...

You can use third party hosted scripts, or you can have your own webspace with cgi-bin and run the scripts yourself..

There are many hosting companies out there providing this, myself included...

There are possibly other, more complicated ways to accomplish what your after, but for anything more than what I call "Business Card" website the NTL space is not really usefull.

[SMHarman]

So they don't even offer the basics

http://www.demon.net/helpdesk/products/homepages/scripts.shtml

What scripts are supplied by Demon?
Only the following CGI-BINs are available. No user defined CGI-BINs are permitted:

count
A counter which is incremented every time it is run. Generally used to provide a number of visitors item. Only one counter is allowed.

imagemap
Allows areas of a single image to be defined as clickable in graphical menus etc. Any number of imagemaps can be added.

mailform
Provides a single form using the GET method which is then emailed to the fixed address webmaster@hostname.demon.co.uk.

NOTE - It is the users responsibility as the administrator of their own Demon host to make sure that mail addressed to the webmaster is accepted by their system. (Turnpike will deliver webmaster mail to the default mailbox)

testform - As mailform, but displays the data instead of mailing it. Used for debugging.

Note that the names of these scripts must be in lower case.

[br3ach]

So they don't even offer the basics

http://www.demon.net/helpdesk/products/homepages/scripts.shtml

What scripts are supplied by Demon?
Only the following CGI-BINs are available. No user defined CGI-BINs are permitted:

count
A counter which is incremented every time it is run. Generally used to provide a number of visitors item. Only one counter is allowed.

imagemap
Allows areas of a single image to be defined as clickable in graphical menus etc. Any number of imagemaps can be added.

mailform
Provides a single form using the GET method which is then emailed to the fixed address webmaster@hostname.demon.co.uk.

NOTE - It is the users responsibility as the administrator of their own Demon host to make sure that mail addressed to the webmaster is accepted by their system. (Turnpike will deliver webmaster mail to the default mailbox)

testform - As mailform, but displays the data instead of mailing it. Used for debugging.

Note that the names of these scripts must be in lower case.
All of demons offerings are third party hosted scripts. They state to run your own scripts you need to upgrade to commercial webspace with them also.

Although there is nothing wrong with third party scripts, it does not look proffessional, and often has to have some sort of advert in it...

Hope that helps

[Richard M]

BT has a FormMail script that I used to use, and it's open to access from NTL.

The help page for using their script is http://www.btopenworld.com/tools/webpage/form2email/0,6668,,00.html

Of course, you can't edit the script, so you have to setup your form to send the fieldnames they specify, but for basic forms it works fine.

Why NTL can't do the same is beyond me. Mind you, that would require NTL to have some interest in their customers.

...and BT always wondered why they are Spamhaus (http://www.spamhaus.org/) listed. :rolleyes:

To the original poster: You might as well use the BT one if it's not too important/serious.

[SMHarman]

All of demons offerings are third party hosted scripts. They state to run your own scripts you need to upgrade to commercial webspace with them also.

Although there is nothing wrong with third party scripts, it does not look proffessional, and often has to have some sort of advert in it...

Hope that helps

There is no advertising in those scripts. They are in the cgibin on my inclusive space. I cannot put anything else in that folder though.

[br3ach]

There is no advertising in those scripts. They are in the cgibin on my inclusive space. I cannot put anything else in that folder though.
So what did you have to sign up for with demon to get the space?

[SMHarman]

So what did you have to sign up for with demon to get the space?

I have a demon standard dial up account costs £10+vat so £11.75 a month. I've had it for ever, but when I switched to NTL broadband decided to keep it as it meant I did not need to change my e-mail addresses etc.

A secondary benefit is I have a backup ISDN dial up line, reliable POP3 servers with spam trapping, and now, free web space with a basic cgi bin.

Youl'd get the same from their DSL options.

[Hologram]

:( This is all bad news. I was hoping to add a form to my page. Oh well

[threadbare]

it is very simple to create forms using standard html and the mailto tag which will send the information to a mail addy of your choice. simply look for a good tutorial on the subject

try this http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_forms.asp

[abailey152]

:( This is all bad news. I was hoping to add a form to my page. Oh well
Well, you can still use forms. You just need to use a third party for the script or just mailto the results back to your email address, just as threadbare says.

[zoombini]

I thought that there used to be a form that NTL said you could use?

Maybe they stopped using it.

Its only about £9.99 a year to get a small websit of your own these days (plus domain registration). that will enable you to use the CGI scripting etc.

[Hologram]

it is very simple to create forms using standard html and the mailto tag which will send the information to a mail addy of your choice. simply look for a good tutorial on the subject

try this http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_forms.asp
Thanks for that threadbare. I shall give it a go.

[MikeyB]

Hi,

I wouldn't recommend using the "mailto" type of form, its very hit & miss fo it working.
Totally relies on the visitor having an email proggy installed & configured in the browser, and they also have to send the message, after getting some security warnings!
It also does not work with AOL (big loss!!!!!) and some other email systems, it completely flids out the one we use ar work.

You are much better off useing something like http://www.response-o-matic.com/ I've used them on websites I've done, very simple to use, not much more than changing the action tag on a form.