Need help setting up CGI scripts

[leiderman]

Hi,

1. I have installed the script and now am trying to understand what the part about setting up the cgi scripts. The help file seems to be just a reminder for people who already thoroughly understand the system. It doesn't explain anything. It is only "help" for people who don't need help.

It says:

=======================
2. 'signup-list1.cgi'

Set the $list variable to one or more lists. For example:

$list= '1'
or
$list= '1,3,2'
=======================

I don't understand this at all. If I have 40 lists that I want to have people sign up for, do I need to create 40 signup-list<N>.cgi files with $list="<N>"? where N is the list number.

Or do I create only one signup-list1.cgi file and set $list="1,2,3,4,5...40"?

I am completely confused about the relationship between the cgi files and the $list variable.

Right now, I have two lists I want to sign up people for. One is to receive a  sample report and other follow-up messages prior to purchasing my ebook. A second one is for follow-up emails for people who purchased my ebook.

Am I supposed to use two different cgi files, one for each of these lists? Or  am I supposed to have one cgi file with $list set to both of these lists?


2. The help file goes on to say:
===========
Note: If you want more than one signup script with different target lists, you can set up more scripts, ie. "signup-list2.cgi". These scripts are simply pointed to by the email addresses you configure. You can have any number of email aliases pointing to each one. The reason we need a new script for each list, or set of lists, is to faciliate subscription by blank email.
===============

I do not understand this at all.
I think I am supposed to have a single signup script for a single list. It sounds like it is saying that I could use the same signup script for different  lists if I want. Does that mean that if a person signs up by filling in a single form or sending a single blank email, that they might get put on several lists, not just one? If that is so, could someone tell me how that might be used in practice? My understanding is that when you sign up for a list, you are only put on the list you are signing up for, not several.

I also don't understand what email aliases are. Is it saying you can have several email addresses to receive blank emails, and they would all put the person on the same list? I don't see how that is a useful thing to do.
If that is not what it is saying, what is it saying?

Thanks,
Lloyd Leiderman

[DW]

Hi Lloyd,

I apologize for the delay - this should set you straight:

1. I have installed the script and now am trying to understand what the part about setting up the cgi scripts. The help file seems to be just a reminder for people who already thoroughly understand the system. It doesn't explain anything. It is only "help" for people who don't need help.

Point duly noted, Lloyd - I need to make some improvements here.

I don't understand this at all. If I have 40 lists that I want to have people sign up for, do I need to create 40 signup-list<N>.cgi files with $list="<N>"? where N is the list number.

There are two ways for users to subscribe - signup form from your web site (Create a form at "List Settings" -> "Signup Code") or, web-host supporting of the email forwarders required, signup by blank email.

Most people avoid signup-by-email and use forms to collect subscribers.  This makes sense when you have a large number of lists and don't want to create a huge number of email forwarders and signup CGI scripts.

I am completely confused about the relationship between the cgi files and the $list variable.

A single email address/forwarder can point to a single CGI script. You may specify one or more lists to subscribe to in each CGI script and may point one or more email addresses to it.  This facilitates "blank" email subscription.

Some examples:

signup@example.com might point to signup-list1.cgi which is configured to subscribe users to list 1

signup2@example.com might point to signup-list2.cgi which is configured to subscribe users to list 2

signup3@example.com might point to signup-list1and2.cgi which is configured with $list = '1,2'; (both lists 1 and 2)

Right now, I have two lists I want to sign up people for. One is to receive a sample report and other follow-up messages prior to purchasing my ebook. A second one is for follow-up emails for people who purchased my ebook.

Am I supposed to use two different cgi files, one for each of these lists? Or am I supposed to have one cgi file with $list set to both of these lists?

If you were to use email-signup for these lists you will probably want to keep them completely separate, with two signup addresses and two CGI scripts, each set to a single list.

I think I am supposed to have a single signup script for a single list. It sounds like it is saying that I could use the same signup script for different lists if I want.

No you cannot use the same signup script for different lists.  You can, however, point any number of addresses to a single script.

Does that mean that if a person signs up by filling in a single form or sending a single blank email, that they might get put on several lists, not just one? My understanding is that when you sign up for a list, you are only put on the list you are signing up for, not several.

Yes, you can choose to subscribe users to more than one list at a time with both CGI and form-based subscription.  Many of my clients use the multi-list subscribe feature - it does have it's uses.  I think you have a better understanding of the multi-list feature and how it applies to the signup CGI scripts now.

I also don't understand what email aliases are.

An "email alias" is just another name for an "email forwarder".  It is the method where email to a desired addresses is redirected to either a(nother) mailbox or a script.

Is it saying you can have several email addresses to receive blank emails, and they would all put the person on the same list? I don't see how that is a useful thing to do.

Yes, that's right.  This is a bonus feature but it could be useful.  Some marketers, for example, might do A/B testing of subscription email addresses.  If a certain address gets more subscriptions purely based on appearance they'll use it on their page and compare it further.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance!

[leiderman]

Hi Dean,

Thanks so much for your clarification. I mostly understand this now. But...

You seem to contradict yourself in the following:

=============

No you cannot use the same signup script for different lists. You can, however, point any number of addresses to a single script.

Quote:
Does that mean that if a person signs up by filling in a single form or sending a single blank email, that they might get put on several lists, not just one? My understanding is that when you sign up for a list, you are only put on the list you are signing up for, not several.

Yes, you can choose to subscribe users to more than one list at a time with both CGI and form-based subscription. Many of my clients use the multi-list subscribe feature - it does have it's uses. I think you have a better understanding of the multi-list feature and how it applies to the signup CGI scripts now.

================

First you say, "No you cannot use the same signup script for different lists."

Then you say, "Yes, you can choose to subscribe users to more than one list at a time with both CGI and form-based subscription."

What gives? I thought the whole purpose of the $list variable is to specify which list numbers the person is subscribed to if they signup with the cgi script containing it. So why do you say the first quote above, that you cannot use the same signup script for different lists"?

Thanks again.

I have other questions about other aspects of the installation process, which I will leave for other posts later. I am working through this process one step at a time.

Lloyd

[DW]

Lloyd,

Does that mean that if a person signs up by filling in a single form or sending a single blank email, that they might get put on several lists, not just one? My understanding is that when you sign up for a list, you are only put on the list you are signing up for, not several.

This all depends on the $list variable set inside the script.  It can be set to a single list or multiple lists.  My point is signup@example.com AND subscribe@example.com could point to signup-list1.cgi, for example - they would both subscribe the user to list 1.

First you say, "No you cannot use the same signup script for different lists."

What I meant is the $list value will always be the same once set.  You would not be able to use a single signup-listX.cgi script to sign users up to list 1 with one signup and list 2 with another.  You'd need to create signup-list2.cgi instead.

What gives? I thought the whole purpose of the $list variable is to specify which list numbers the person is subscribed to if they signup with the cgi script containing it. So why do you say the first quote above, that you cannot use the same signup script for different lists"?

It was a mis-answer to a half-question.  Please let me know if I can clarify further or if you have further questions (a new thread might be best for that).

Regards

[leiderman]

I think I understand now about the $list variable and the use of the cgi scripts for signing people up to lists.

Now I am going ahead with setting up the mailer, etc. I have questions for that, but will start a new thread.

Lloyd