Version 2.2.0, 09.Nov.2008
User Manual 5.01.051 updated 09.Nov.2008

Important: If you are using the script or are considering using the script, be sure to sign up for the HEFS Bulletin. I use this email list to notify users of bug fixes and new versions. I promise not to burden you with lots of emails. 

Huggins' Email Form Script is a free PHP script to process Web Forms, specifically those forms which accept information and send an email with that information.

Want to see an example? Go here.

It is ideal for people who don't know how to write a script, don't want to use a script that exposes their email to spambots, want more features than their current script offers or who are using FrontPage Server Extensions which are going away.

What Do You Need to Know to Use This Script?

In general, you need to know:

1. How to construct a web form;
     
2. How to download and expand a Zip file;
    
3. How to upload a file to your web server;
    
4. How to make simple HTML changes.

What Does My Web Host Need to Use this Script?

To use this script, your web host must provide the ability to process PHP. In addition, to provide full functionality, it must support PHP 5.1 (released 24.Nov.2005). The script can provide minimal functionality with just about any active version of PHP 4 or PHP 5.

How Do I Find Out What Version They Support?

You can visit their website and check there. You can email them and ask. You can call them and ask. (Some have a toll free number for tech support. If they don't, then call their 800 for Sales (don't tell them you are already a customer) and ask them. Or, if you prefer, just email me and I'll find out for you.

 How Easy Is the Script to Use?

To use the minimal functionality of the script, you must:

1. Build a Web Form
   This script does not build the web form for you. You must build that web form yourself. You may use any tool you like to build that form (e.g., FrontPage or Expression Web). If you need help I have an an ebook tutorial on the creation of HTML Email Forms for for a small fee. See the end of this page. You can even get it free if you join Cricket's Tech Training Class.
    
2. Download the Script
   The script comes packaged in a Zip file. This file contains the script, the User Manual, and additional files to help you. You must download this file onto your PC. (I recommend downloading it into its own folder.) Then you must expand the Zip file to have access to all the individual files.
    
3. Upload the Script to Your Server
   You will need to use your FTP program or your web development tool (e.g., FrontPage, Expression Web) to copy the script file from your PC to your server.
    
4. Modify Your Web Form
   You will make two small changes to your web form. You will (a) modify the <form> statement to reference the script and
   (b) add one parameter holding the coded email addresses.
   (The email addresses are coded to prevent spambot harvesting.)

That's it. Pretty simple.

But What If I Want to Use All the Fancy Features?

Well, that depends.

The script already protects you against spambots harvesting your email. But they still might use the form to spam you. There are two ways to stop that. Each one requires (a) adding a field to your form and (b) adding a parameter that tells the script that you did. These two fields are a field that must be blank and a field that must successfully answer a question (e.g., if summer is hot, what is winter?).

Checking that the email entered is legal requires adding a parameter that tells the script what field the email is.

Editing a field for a legal value requires adding a parameter.

In fact, all the other changes require just adding parameters. You don't have to add them. But you can.

Again, pretty simple. Remember, you never ever need to touch the PHP code.

Summary Version Information

Important Support Notice

I will be off the net or only sporadically on the net
from 24.Nov thru 30.Nov.
Support requests submitted during that time
may be delayed until after my return.

The Current Distribution Package
Version 2.2.0, 09.Nov.2008
User Manual 5-01-051 updated 09.Nov.2008

To get this stuff, Right Click on the link and then choose Save As. If you left click you may have problems. Please download all files and keep them in an easy to find location. We recommend creating a dedicated folder for these files.

Download Huggins' Email Form Script - 2.2.0: This zip file has the whole nine yards ... the script, the documentation, the help files, the whole banana. This package is for Version 2.2.0. and includes User Manual 5-01-051 (updated 09.Nov.2008). If you experience any problems with this version, please email me. To help me out, please include "HEFS V 2.2.0" somewhere in the subject. I will work to expedite help for you.

NB: Full functionality of Version 2.1.0 and later requires PHP 5.1.0 (24-Nov.2005) or later. Prior versions of this script could run with PHP4. However, PHP4 has now become "obsolete". Full functionality of this and all future versions will require PHP 5.1.0 or later. If you do not have this version of PHP, the basic functions of the script may work but some advanced features (e.g., the error template page) will not function. ««»»

This software is licensed under the CC-GNU GPL.

More Pages About Huggins' Email Form Script

Huggins' Email Form Script, Objectives: Explains the motivations for and objectives of the script. ««»»

Huggins' Email Form Script, Version 2 Enhancements: Enhancements which were developed for Version 2 of the script. ««»»

Huggins' Email Form Script Testimonials: Testimonials sent to me from script users. ««»»

Huggins' EMail Form Script Acknowledgements: My acknowledgements to others for their assistance with development and deployment of the script. ««»»

Example Form: This example form shows some (though clearly not all) of the features of the script. ««»»

More Pages About HEFS Bulletin

HEFS Bulletin: Bugs, Fixes and Enhancements: I have set up the HEFS Bulletin to provide future notices of changes to the Huggins' Email Form Script. Please sign up for this ezine. This ezine will be used only to provide information on this script. And it is the only way I have to let you know of bugs, fixes and enhancements.  ««»»

History of Changes to HEFS Bulletin: Describes the history of HEFS Bulletin, with emphasis on the technical changes I've made since starting it, including moving to Gammadyne, adding double-opt-in and complying with CAN-SPAM.  ««»»

HEFS Bulletin Privacy Policy: The short version of my privacy policy for my HEFS Bulletin ezine. It explains that I do not spam. Period. And, I do not sell, lend or release your subscription information to anyone for any reason.  ««»»

Free Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader: Reading Adobe Acrobat PDF files requires the free Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. Be sure you have the latest version ««»»

A Tutorial: Creating HTML Email Forms

The reference manual available for this script (see above) assumes that the user is familiar with the basics of Web Forms.

For those users looking for instruction in the creation of Web Forms, particularly Email Forms such as those processed by Huggins' Email Form Script, there is an ebook tutorial: Creating HTML Email Forms.

The tutorial is available in two ways:

• It can be purchased for $10.00 from this page on my site:
  Creating HTML Email Forms
   
• It is offered free to students in Cricket's Tech Training Class as part of the support of the online class. For more information go here.

Last updated:
17:59, Sun, 09.Nov.2008