Programming PHP, CGI, Perl, Javascript, Java and more...
Programming can be a great asset to any Web
site. If cleverly planned and written, a good script (or program) can
do almost anything. You can use scripts to run search engines, manage
chat rooms, and perform more advanced functions.
The Dedicated Partnership has vast experience
in PHP and Perl, the language of choice for CGI processing. For some
examples of our scripts in action on our sites, see:
Update scripts. Developed
in-house, The Dedicated Partnership's update script (DediUpdate
v2.2.1) allows the novice internet user to update a page of content
of his or her Web site. This is an extremely popular script and
has proved ideal for 'news' and 'special offers' pages. The script
is password-protected to prevent unauthorised use.
For examples of the update script in use, you can peruse the latest
special offers put up by Highfield Country House Hotel in Hawkshead
at http://www.highfield-hawkshead.com/specials.htm
or browse the latest jobs at http://www.happyjobs.co.uk/linthwaite.htm
courtesy of Linthwaite House Hotel in Windermere. Both hotels can
update their respective pages at any time, day or night, with only
the most basic computer skills required.
We have also made an cut-down version of the script available for
online use at http://www.dedicgi.co.uk/update-script-demo
- you will see just how easy the script is to use; indeed, if you
know even the basics of how to use a computer, you can easily use
an update script! Should support be required, however, please click
here.
Search scripts. Adding a search
script to a site can be useful, particularly if there's a lot of content.
At the simplest level, your search facility might be purely based
upon keyword searching - for example, the UKcottage search facility
at http://www.ukcottage.com/search.htm
- in more involved cases, you might be requiring much more advanced
features such as on http://www.aardvarktravel.net
where entries have rankings and can be searched according to many
different criteria.
E-commerce scripts. Shopping
cart technology is often implemented through CGI scripts; at the simplest
level, such a script enables e-commerce sites to keep a record of
items being purchased through a Web site, their cost, and the total
of all the items - for an example of this, visit http://www.bacchus-antiques.com
Miscellaneous scripts. The
examples above demonstrate some of the more common implementations
of PHP and Perl. Both languages can also be used for a variety of
purposes, however, such as voting scripts (eg. http://www.cumbria.uk.com/cumbria/fun/gurn.htm),
message boards (eg. http://www.atuk.co.uk/forum)
and 'site of the day' scripts.
Whatever you want to achieve on
your Web site, the chances are that there's a solution. It may or may
not involve PHP or CGI - contact us and let
us know what you are trying to do. We offer bespoke programming services
and we'll be happy to advise.
Case study
'Viral marketing' is just one example of how programming
skills can be utilised in order to increase the profile
and effectiveness of an internet presence.
If implemented well, viral marketing can be incredibly effective
and, for the potential results, relatively inexpensive.
The RAC commissioned the creation of a Flash movie that
highlighted the perils of failing to renew your car insurance
and/or MOT.
The animation showed a motorist trundling along in his car
when, suddenly, a cat runs out in front of him. Distracted
by the event, he drives into the back of a police car. The
policeman noticed his road tax is out of date and the poor
motorist has not only his injuries to worry about, but also
an appearance in court!
The Dedicated Partnership was asked to produce a 'recommend-it'
script that bolted on to the end of the movie (whilst still
retaining the RAC's branding).
Put simply, upon completion of viewing the short cartoon,
the user had the opportunity to recommend the site to friends
or colleagues. On so doing, he/she automatically alerts
the other e-mail recipients to the movie.
This can have a knock-on effect, of course, with the possibility
of subsequent recommendations to yet more friends.
Because of the fun nature of the movie, the short download
time and the simplicity of the script, the project proved
to be a huge success.
Progress could be monitored by the RAC since the script
was devised so that recommendations were recorded and they
could 'log in' at any time to examine its usage.
