8truths

This is only my second post.

What I wish to ask for (and this is a total fishing trip) are a few folks with cgi access on servers to try out a program I just got working.

It is a VB prog (built from the CGI4VB module) that runs the QBasic interpreter as a script language. I figured everyone draws the comparison between Perl and QB-- why not just skip the foreplay?!

It has tested fine on my test server and even survived a small, unexpected worm attack (I run Apache 2, Win 2k pro sp3 with app comp update).

Basically, what you will do is download the program (http://jcprogs.50megs.com/cgi4qb.htm, set your pop-up blocker cause it's a free host) and extract the EXE and BAS modules (QBasic, not VB) to your CGI-BIN folder. Then, you can run the html page from your docs folder. You will need a copy of qb.exe (any version) and related files -- these need to be copied to your CGI-BIN folder.

Right now there is no multi-threading support. It is very, very beta.

Thanks to anyone who is interested.

Please send any e-mails or inquiries to eighttruths@yahoo.com

ICeMaN_179

nobody will test a CGI script for you, because it may create security holes on their servers if the script is wrong in any way.

8truths

Anyone use test servers? Geez.

For what you can get old PIIs for these days, it's not that hard to keep a few test servers off to the side and run your scripts with 127.0.0.1.

Also, you can run your test servers off emulators/VMs. A very tight VM like VMWare will help seal your real machine off from any attack.

I am aware of the security issues. But, I do also figure there are always a few adventurous souls.

Banjo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 8truths
For what you can get old PIIs for these days, it's not that hard to keep a few test servers off to the side and run your scripts with 127.0.0.1.

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If its that easy why don't you do it yourself?

8truths

Quote:
"If its that easy why don't you do it yourself?"


Geez, I don't know . . . Maybe because I already have?!

Or, maybe because testing on multiple configurations on your own hardly prepares your prog for what users will try to do to it.

Or, maybe because even hellish testing regimens at major companies miss problems.

Or, maybe because eventually I'd like the program to reach end users, and, like, duh, um, gee, gomer, narf, they would have to download it to gain possession of it.

Or, maybe because it's a script language and if I'm the only person to ever use it, what was the point?

Or, maybe because I FELT LIKE SHARING!

If anyone still wishes to HELP, please read the original post and contact me.

Banjo

Woah, chill out a little.

Firstly, if your concern is what users might do to try to break your script then why not open up your test server so that we can test there. Contrary to your belief most people do not have test servers laying around nor do they have webservers configured on their PCs.

And, I have no problem with you posting your code here for people to look at. I was taking issue with your assumption that we should be doing your beta testing for you. If people want to help then fine, but you came off as a little assuming.

8truths

Sorry.

Perhaps I should have been a little more clear.

As for testing the prog . . .

I have already tested as thoroughly as I can. I have had friends run it off my server from their browsers. It has been tested as well as I can test it. I have had one additional person from the net install it on a server and report zero problems.

I have done as much as I can with this program. It is time to let other people break it, or at least die trying. I need folks to start running it on their own servers and telling me how it reacts. Particularly, the program needs tried more on IIS systems (I won't use 'em, but other people will).

What I need now is feedback from folks who have tried to use it, written their own scripts and run them on their own servers, and to tell me what has happened when they use it.

My appeal (about the PIIs) is to the people who take a some time to eBay and hit yard sales and get a few older systems to use. It's not really a large outlay of cash. More time and knowledge than anything else as long as you stick to a target price and refuse to go above it.

No, I don't suppose that everyone has twenty servers sitting around.

I did make an odd statement that applies more me than anyone else-- I go through computers like most people go through water.

I run three versions of Mac OS, four Linux distros, and three versions of Windows, and DOS/Win 3.1. I have accumulated a large collections of OS software in my time. And any time I get tired of a machine, I give it to friends, relatives or just sell it.

No, this not the sort of thing that casual users do. Neither is CGI, in all fairness.