form funtions

[ladalang]

I'm using Publisher 2003 and I noticed in forms using

list box

and then going to

form properties

I have the option of sending to a program from my ISP. Then Publisher gives
me an example of the program under action and then I have the choice of Get
and Post.

Below that under hidden fields I see that I can add values.

Can anyone tell me how to actually use this function? My host company
supports front page extensions.

What does "Get" and "Post" actually mean?

I'm wondering what type of "program" Publsiher is referring to. The example
says ispscript.cgi. I don't know what that's trying to say. The CGI's I
have from my host are forum and chat and maybe more.

I'm trying to take a key word and provide a definition. Using the list form
to allow them to selct that key word. Also select multiple key words and
then display all of their meanings. Is that what this was intended to do?

Thanks

Joyce

 

[ladalang]

I just checked and I have a database funtion provided by my host company. So
am I putting the work into my forms on Publisher than some how integrating
them with my host or am I creating them through the host company using their
script. What is is the best way and how do I make the two systems, Publisher
forms and the host company database work together?

 

[Mike Koewler]

Below that under hidden fields I see that I can add values.

Hidden fields, for the most part are those that are not displayed but
used. For instance, a redirect that tells the computer to go to a
certain page after submitting the form's data.

Can anyone tell me how to actually use this function? My host company
supports front page extensions.

What does "Get" and "Post" actually mean?

Get generally means to retrieve data, post is to send data. Usually, one
uses a Post method to send a form. A "Get" might be used to retrieve a
list of pages that have a term defined in a search.

I'm wondering what type of "program" Publsiher is referring to. The example
says ispscript.cgi. I don't know what that's trying to say. The CGI's I
have from my host are forum and chat and maybe more.

The script that understands what to do with the answers in the form. It
processes it and sends it the defined person's e-mail address.

I'm trying to take a key word and provide a definition. Using the list form
to allow them to selct that key word. Also select multiple key words and
then display all of their meanings. Is that what this was intended to do?

No, but if you are very good at coding, and have a DB, you could do
this. You could also do it by using a link in a form so that if someone
selects May Day and clicks on it, it would go to a specific web page.
Generally, forms are for collecting data. Or if you had something
similar to a search engine, something that indexes your site and lists
definitions, then you could use a "Get" to retrieve the answer. But this
would not be a simple task.

Mike

 

[ladalang]

so if I added the definitions in the hidden fields to correspond with the
words how do you actually make it work? I tried it and of course it gave me
an error message saying I needed the ISP program.

Can you explain to me how Publsiher intended this funtionality to work?
From your answer it sounds like it's offered but really doesn't work. Can
you give me an example of a situation where the hidden data has actually
worked? It seems really simple based on how Publisher has it set up but
based on your answer is not.

 

[Mike Koewler]

Joyce,

Take a look at WrenZoom. http://www.wrensoft.com/

Mike

 

[Mike Koewler]

Joyce,

Here's an example of a hidden field:
<input type="hidden" name="Redirect"
value="http://www.hamiltoncountyfair.com/success.html">

so if I added the definitions in the hidden fields to correspond with
the words how do you actually make it work?

You don't. TBO, I'm not sure what function of Pub you are talking about,
as I know very little about it, per se. Nor do I know exactly what you
are hoping to do. If the idea is to have a list of words that someone
can one from and then the definition comes up, you basically are going
to need something, as I explained, like a search engine. A long way home
would be to add a hyperlink to each word. A shortcut would be to use a
script that would parse a DB and return the answer. That's likely to
involve php or asp. I don't know if Pub supports php subroutines (they
would have to be added as either a code fragment or to the page source.

Mike

 

[ladalang]

it's frustrating because it looks like it would work.. I'll do some
searching on the web and see what else I can come up with. Maybe someone who
knows Publisher and this function will respond.

 

[DavidF]

I don't think you are understanding what forms are all about. A viewer fills
them out, submits them, and the information is sent to you. Here is a
reference about forms in Publisher:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/dbartosik/archive/2006/01/07/80564.aspx

I have no idea of how to do what you want to do, but it isn't with a form.

DavidF

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

If your host has FP extensions installed (and working) on your web, you can
use Publisher (FP's) form handler you don't use CGI or the host's other
handler.


|I just checked and I have a database funtion provided by my host company.
So
| am I putting the work into my forms on Publisher than some how integrating
| them with my host or am I creating them through the host company using
their
| script. What is is the best way and how do I make the two systems,
Publisher
| forms and the host company database work together?
|
| "ladalang" wrote:
|
| > I'm using Publisher 2003 and I noticed in forms using
| >
| > list box
| >
| > and then going to
| >
| > form properties
| >
| > I have the option of sending to a program from my ISP. Then Publisher
gives
| > me an example of the program under action and then I have the choice of
Get
| > and Post.
| >
| > Below that under hidden fields I see that I can add values.
| >
| > Can anyone tell me how to actually use this function? My host company
| > supports front page extensions.
| >
| > What does "Get" and "Post" actually mean?
| >
| > I'm wondering what type of "program" Publsiher is referring to. The
example
| > says ispscript.cgi. I don't know what that's trying to say. The CGI's
I
| > have from my host are forum and chat and maybe more.
| >
| > I'm trying to take a key word and provide a definition. Using the list
form
| > to allow them to selct that key word. Also select multiple key words
and
| > then display all of their meanings. Is that what this was intended to
do?
| >
| > Thanks
| >
| > Joyce