Version 2.2.2, 08.May.2009
User Manual 5.01.058 updated 13.Jul.2009

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.

How Free Is it?

It is completely free. No cost. Some who wish to express their thanks sometimes contribute to a cause I may be supporting then. But there is no obligation to do so.

I do request a simple, small, short, "visible credit line" on the page and also an HTML credit line within the page to help others find the script, but that is the only "requirement".

In other words, very free. Very, very, very free.

But What If I Want Help?

Some have asked for my help "installing" this on their site. So, now I offer that. For $25.00 I'll do a simple basic install on your site. Only if you want it. It is still completely free for you to do it yourself.

What Do You Need to Know to Use This Script?

In general, you need to know:

1. How to construct a web form; or, at least how to modify the one I give you;
     
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 5. It must support at least PHP 5.1 (released 24.Nov.2005).

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.

Are there Hosts that Are a Problem?

Yes. I document these in the script documentation. I also have an excerpt of that section of the documentation you can download by itself. See below.

 How Easy Is the Script to Use?

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

1. Download the Script Package
   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.
    
2. Build a Web Form
   While this script does not build the web form for you, it does come with a basic model to start you off. Many people find that the basic model is more than enough for them. You may use any tool you like to build or modify 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 a small fee. See the end of this page. (You can even get it free if you join Cricket's Tech Training Class. Again, see the end of this page.) You will need to make small changes to the sample web forms, but the documentation will guide you thru that.
    
3. Upload the Script and the Web Form to Your Server
   You will need to use your FTP program and/or your web development tool (e.g., FrontPage, Expression Web) to copy the Script File and the Web Form from your PC to your server. Note that you never ever need to make changes to the Script File.
    

That's it. Pretty simple.

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

Well, that depends. Lots of the fancy features, not all, but lots, are included in the basic model forms.

For example, the pre-made forms already protect you against spambots harvesting your email address. They also stop spambots from using the forms to spam you.

They already check to be sure that email addresses people enter in your form are legal email addresses.

In fact, many, many people use the forms with almost no changes, but you can make all the changes you want.

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 (the script itself).

Summary Version Information

The Current Distribution Package
Version 2.2.2, 08.May.2009
User Manual 5-01-056 updated 27.Jun.2009

To get this stuff, Right Click on the link and then choose Save As or Save Target 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 - 2.2.2: This zip file has the whole nine yards ... the script, the documentation, the help files, the whole banana. This package is for Version 2.2.2. and includes User Manual 5-01-058 (updated 13.Jul.2009) as well as the separate Problem Host excerpt document. This documentation update has a "reordered" manual designed to improve the usability. If you experience any problems with this version, please email me. To help me out, please include "HEFS V2.2.2" 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. ««»»

Download Download the Document About Problem Host - 9.01.058: This is a document about problem hosts. This document is an excerpt from the big manual with just the section about problem hosts. The script download also includes this file. ««»»

This software is licensed under the CC-GNU GPL.

More Pages About Huggins' Email Form Script

Huggins' Email Form Script, Samples: Shows some sites using 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:
10:12, Sat, 03.Jul.2010