SanJ,
You can use JavaScript, ie:
<form method=post action=/listmail/signup.php>
<input type=hidden name=list value=1>
First <input type=text name=fname id=fname><br>
Last <input type=text name=lname id=lname><br>
Email <input type=text name=email><br>
<input type=submit value=Subscribe! onclick="
if(document.getElementById('fname').value.length<=3){
alert('Please enter a first name longer than 3 characters.');
return false;
}
if(document.getElementById('lname').value.length<=3){
alert('Please enter a last name longer than 3 characters.');
return false;
}
">
</form>