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Rossco · 10-27-2006, 11:38 AM

Hi everyone, first time posting here, so nice to meet you all.

I have a querry I was hoping for help with.
Here is my setup to be.

I plan to host my website on my own computer. I have dynamic IP so will be ussing the NO-IP service, and perhaps ussing a free .co.nr redirect name.
I am very new to all this, allthough I do have a few websites I made just for fun, so I am pretty unsure of what Im doing.
I wish to have an email form on my website, so that viewers can email me comments etc. I have searched for info on email forms, and notice that most are ASP or CGI.

I have downloaded 2 Webservers for my windows XP machine. They are Abyss and Xerver. Both look simple to use and adequate for what I want.

I would like to know though, do I need to download something extra in oder to interprit CGI or ASP so that the form will work, and is there anything else i need to make this happen. Any info would be much apreciated.

Thank you
Ross

O.S = Windows XP sp2
Websever = Abyss/Xerver
Conenction = DSL (Dynamic Ip ussing no-ip service )

**LazyJim** · 10-27-2006, 02:53 PM

Welcome Rossco, you want the web development forum (moving thread...)

as for some help, I don't know anything about those servers, I personally have Apache installed and processing forms in that case requires instalation of PHP or PERL or other software to compliment the server (the server runs the page through the PHP processor and receives the web page to display).
I expect some servers will have built in CGI handling capabilities though, I would imagine the support forums of the server software you have would provide answers for you.

Rossco · 10-29-2006, 06:11 AM

Jim thank you for the reply, I thought this would be easier than it is, but I have since downloaded PHP and gonna do a bit more experimenting, Im sure Ill manage it soon.

bytech · 10-29-2006, 10:07 AM

I was about to suggest PHP (know little about ASP), as it has very easy form mailing options. Also, please consider the upstream speed of your internet connection before setting up a server. Most DSL connections will have a max of 28-40KB, by default. One 120KB file will take three seconds to download (if you have 40KB upstream) if only 1 user is requesting it. With three users, you're almost up to 10 seconds per user. The pipeline can fill up VERY quickly. This is a limitation most ISPs put in place to prevent people from running their own servers without paying more to the ISP. Anyway, if you are already aware of the potential limitations, please ignore me.