This program was originally designed to supplement WWW browsers that did not support the mailto URL. In this regard, it displayed a simple FORM allowing the reader to supply their name, email address, and a message that would be sent to the server administrator.
This CGI program has matured allowing the server administrator to create just about any FORM with just about any FORM elements and have the output of that FORM be sent to an administrator-defined email address. Consequently, you can use email.cgi to create order forms for products, conduct surveys, create mailing lists, or get feedback on your service.
To get email.cgi to work you must first install the TCP Scripting Addition as well as the Parse CGI OSAX. (It is a good idea to restart your Macintosh after installing these scripting additions.) Then you must create a FORM. You are allowed to create just about any FORM you want as long as it contains fields for a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server, recipient name and email address, as well as sender name and email address. Email.cgi requires no knowledge of AppleScripting to get up and running.
On the down side, email.cgi is not completely customizable. For example, it generates some output text listing what was received and sent on to the email address. This text can not be defined by the server administrator unless they know how to AppleScript. Another limitation is email.cgi's inability to send documents to multiple recipients.
Email.cgi does what it is suppose to do, but it can be done a bit better. On the other hand, since the script is distributed in an editable state and liberally documented, email.cgi may be a good script to use as a model for other CGI scripts written in AppleScript.
Eric last edited this page on September 26, 1995. Please feel free to send comments.