Question for the web techies

[F13 (F13)]

A company I was maintaining a web site for switched servers when their current "lease" was up. This would have been fine except for the fact that they went from Unix to NT without telling me, so I can't get my CGI scripts to work, and the hosting company is just a small business and not much help. <BR> <BR>I don't mind working so much with NT, but could someone point me to a good tutorial site? I'm particularly interested in a news posting script to generate articles. I've worked with PHP and ASP before but mainly with back end Oracle. <BR> <BR>I know a lot of you are non-NT/Microsoft fans, but any help would be appreciated!

[Right behind Uranus is Planet (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

I *think* <A HREF="http://www.aspresources.com" TARGET="_top">http://www.aspresources.com</A> <BR> <BR>I have something bookmarked, but I'm not at my computer now, so I'll have to look it up later.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

You should still be able to get CGI to work if the server has Perl installed. Just might want to check the paths. They're all going to be different on the NT server. This bbs here runs on NT servers, and it's all perl scripting. <BR> <BR>G'luck!

[Frank Diaz (Realityengine)]

change the header of your CGI files. <BR>example: <BR>#!/usr/local/bin/perl

[Right behind Uranus is Planet (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

You know, he is going to need a lot of luck. Remember Sheri, how we couldn't get the cgi scripts to work on the holics site, which is on an NT server? It's awfully picky...

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

I dunno....this bbs installed pretty much "out of the box". I think the Holics site just is set up on a different machine than this one.

[F13 (F13)]

Cheers! Thanks for all your advice. I did think there would be a lot of problems with the CGI scripts, since they are Matt Wrights, which I've modified for my own use, using .htaccess and SSI, etc. <BR> <BR>When I asked about the CGI headers/paths, I was just told make them executable through FrontPage and they'll work[!] <BR> <BR>Of course I could always tell the company where to go for not bothering to inform me of their change, and expecting "business as usual" *grumble* <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[Frank Diaz (Realityengine)]

=)wow i was right?!

[F13 (F13)]

Well, Frank I haven't actually tried yet <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> But I'll definately let you know how I get on. After the trouble I had with a simple random graphic script, I was reluctant to try anything more complex without seeking some advice first!

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

F13, check with iF magazine <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> they have everything in there. Greek to me...now if you had asked something simpler like What big name came to SC lately, I could have told you. Bill Cosby!!!! Naturally I had to work, but my Mom and Dad had the pleasure of attending. Having been big admirers of him for years, it was quite an experience for them, and as it turned out, Dad was his "straight man" They had seats up close and some interesting dialog was exchanged. At one point, BC had his hand on Dad's shoulder and was telling some stories of marriage and children etc. and Dad turned up to him and said "We don't have time for a full confession right now" With that, BC doubled over and laughed as much as everyone else had been. What fun memories!

[F13 (F13)]

Thanks Will, I er... will! <BR> <BR>Nice story about Bill Cosby, sounds like your parents had a good time, and your dad missed out a career in comedy <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> <BR> <BR>Isn't there a Cosby reunion show planned for TV soon?

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Yes, I believe its an anniversary special. Should be good. I forwarded your original question to my lil' sis. She works with computers. When I get an answer, I'll practice my cut-n-paste.

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Here's the answer I got, hope it helpsSetting up CGI scripts on an NT server is going to be a REAL challenge, <BR>Will - unfortunately, you can't generally change file permissions remotely <BR>on NT servers, and correctly setting file permissions is KEY to getting CGI <BR>scripts to work. <BR> <BR>About the only hope is that the host gave them a cgi-bin directory which is <BR>already configured to flag any files placed within it as "executable" - <BR>otherwise they'd have to contact the host each and every time they wanted to <BR>change the permissions on each and every single file.... CHMOD simply <BR>doesn't work on an NT host. <BR> <BR>If they're not running ASP stuff, they really, really, really need to get <BR>migrated over to a Unix webhost.

[F13 (F13)]

Will, thanks for going to the trouble of finding out on my behalf. It's really decent of you. <BR> <BR>I have hit a few bumps, but I am having some success. I've been given an executable cgi-bin directory. <BR> <BR>I also was at pains to figure out why the script errored when generating a new html file, as it told me the file I was trying to create did not exist [duh]. Turns out the hosting company have to make the target directory writable, and this they'll do for $5. Hurrah. They'll even allow me create my own custom 404 Error page for $15. What joy! :P <BR> <BR>But if I hit any further snags, then I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle.

[Full Moon out, pull up your pants, (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

SHEESH! Cheap buncha... <BR> <BR>You can't use a program like CuteFTP and simply CMOD your own folders? Not to mention, you should be able to create a .htacess file and automatically make your own 404 pages, like mine: <BR> <BR>http://www.frayedlogic.com/pagenoexist.htm

[F13 (F13)]

I have WS-FTP which does usally allow me to CHMOD, but not in this case! I do like your "Not found" page though and was able to create my own with the previous provider. Grr...

[The Power of Ponch Compells You! (Realityengine)]

nt doesnt allow chmod commands.

[F13 (F13)]

Yep, I discovered that all right! <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">