4. Set File Permissions using CHMOD

CHMOD (changing mode) is term for setting security permissions on files. The README file will usually tell you permissions that you need to set for each file. The script file will need to be set to 755. This allows file's owner to read, write, and execute file; anyone else can only read and execute it.

You can set permissions using telnet, but easiest way is to use built-in option in your FTP program.

5. Calling Script

Now that you've configured script, uploaded it and set permissions, it's time to try it out! You do this by 'calling script' using a URL in an HTML document. This is what URL for calling your script will normally look like:

http://www.yourdomain.com/cgi-bin/script.cgi

Again, README file should have specific instructions on how to call script. In addition, most CGI programs are accompanied by a web page that contains form your visitors would use to call script.

And now here are details of 5 free CGI scripts I mentioned earlier:

----------------------- Subscribe Me Lite -----------------------

Subscribe Me Lite is a program that allows prospects/customers to automatically subscribe and/or unsubscribe themselves from your mailing list. It has a built-in mass mailing form for sending out your newsletter or updates.

More Information: http://www.cgiscriptcenter.com/subscribe/index2.html

----------------------- Rob's File Tracker -----------------------

Rob's File Tracker is a perl script that counts file downloads or click-thrus to any file. Very useful if you want to know how many people are downloading your free E-Book.

More Information: http://www.robplanet.com/cgi racker/

----------------------- AdRotate Pro -----------------------

AdRotate Pro is an ad rotation program that's easy to setup and easy to use. Features include unlimited rotations, expiry by date, views or clicks, default ads for when all ads are expired, and customer reports.

More Information: http://www.vanbrunt.com/adrotate/

----------------------- MasterRecommend -----------------------

This script allows visitors to recommend your website to a friend by sending an email, without leaving your website. The program will also send you a copy of your visitor's message (nice to know what your visitors think about your website).

More Information: http://www.willmaster.com/master/recommend/MasterRecommendmanual.html

----------------------- Master Auto-Responder -----------------------

This is a standard auto-responder program. The script allows you to set "From:" and "Subject:" lines for your auto-response.You can also choose to receive a copy of each email that auto-responder receives.

More Information: http://mastercgi.com/howtoinfo/howautoresponderswork.shtml

If you need more help installing your CGI scripts, here are two excellent free tutorials:

http://spider-food.net/install-a-cgi-script.html http://www.stefan-pettersson.nu/scripts utorials/installcgi.html

Master Syndicator

If you write articles, Master Syndicator will enable you to syndicate your content. You simply copy and paste your article into a form and click on submit. Your article will instantly be ready for syndication. To display your content, webmasters will need to place two small lines of JavaScript within their web page where they'd like article to display. Each time you update your article, every web site using your code will automatically be updated.

The Master Series scripts can be found here: http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?wsnet/willmaster

WebBBS

This great script will enable you to set up your own forum. Unlike most bulletin board scripts, WebBBS stores messages as simple text files and creates HTML pages as needed.

This great script supports automatic quoting of message text and email notification of those who want to be informed of new posts. http://awsd.com/scripts/webbbs/index.shtml

WebAdverts

Set up a rotating banner system on your web site and track response rates. WebAdverts will enable you to not only set up a rotating banner system, but if you'd like, you can set up your own banner exchange. Banners can be displayed on your pages using SSI tags, IFRAME tags, or standard IMG tags.

The great thing about this script is that you can include banners on CGI-generated pages. In addition, you can filter banners by allowing certain banners to appear only on certain pages. This script is a little complicated, but well worth it. http://awsd.com/scripts/webadverts/index.shtml

Links

If you've ever wanted to set up a directory, this great script will make it simple. It is modeled after Yahoo and inspired by The CGI Resource Index. It can be completely customized to match look and feel of your web site. http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scripts/links/

POD

The Personal Open Directory script will enable you to pull contents of Open Directory Project into your own web pages. It is completely customizable and will enable your visitors to have access to this great directory without leaving your web site. http://grohol.com/downloads/pod/dmoz/

Learn more about CGI: http://www.howstuffworks.com/cgi.htm

Locate CGI Scripts: http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/

If you're not utilizing full benefits that CGI has to offer, you're missing boat. Not only will it save you a great deal of time, but it will also process your information around clock. Scripts can assist you in making your web site an interactive community and bring your site to life.