The contact information database CGI is a CGI designed to allow input from a user and then have that input update the information on a web page to create a simple database. Zach Whalen initially designed this CGI to keep track of his wedding guests, but this could be easily modified to keep track of the contact information for a conference or reading group.
How it WorksThe first screen will ask for some information. Once you submit this, the script will create a file named after the last name of the entry. So, for example, if you're inviting Vincent Price to your conference or wedding, the filer would create a file for his information called Price.dat. This file will appear in your CGI directory. Once you've entered some information, you can either view all of the files or return to the filer screen to enter a new set of data.
Note: If you enter two groups with the same last name, the submitting the new file will erase the old file. So if you're inviting Vincent Price and his son Reggie and you want to use separate entries, make Vincent "Vincent Price1" and Reggie "Reggie Price2".
From the cabinet (view all) screen, you can edit each entry or click on the X-box to delete that entry. Don't worry if you accidentally hit the delete button, the CGI will ask you if you're sure you want to delete it.
Also the cabinet screen gives you links for printing (displaying) all of the mailing addresses together (so you can easily cut and paste into a Word Processor that prints mailing labels) or all of the e-mail addresses (so you can have a quick mailing list). My favorite part is the statistics table at the bottom which gives you at-a-glance numbers on the size of your event.
Making your own Filer CGI.To make your own filer, you'll need a CGI directory, and you'll need to create a few files. Cut and paste the text from the boxes below into your favorite text editor, then save the file as whatever.cgi. Also, make sure that the files are "world-executable" or nothing will work.
The following must all be renamed to .cgi (instead of .txt) files. All of these must be within your CGI directory and that directory must be within your public_html directory. The CGI directory must also be world executeable.