cgi-bin vs sys

[Wood28]

Greetings from a newbie :)

Warning, this got longer than expected! :)

I am currently learning how to use cgi, and have ran into some conflicts of sorts. I was told by my host that I was allowed to use cgi, but as I look at my plan it says "no" to perl, php, etc.. But since I did have a cgi directory, I looked up the file that was in there. It gave me the path for perl, and some other rather useful information.

Anyhow, tonight I tried to use a perl based guestbook. I uploaded the file to the cgi-bin directory (as the tutorial said, lol) but I could not 'get it' to work. As soon as I submitted the information, I got a 'page not found' (after submitting an entry).

So I went and found the pre-installed guestbook that came with my host (that I haven't used), and it works. (Go figure, ya know?) So I look at the source for those pages, and instead of the realURL being "cgi-bin", it says "cgi-sys", but I do not have a "cgi-sys" directory! I have never heard of a 'sys' :confused:

Is anyone familiar with this type of situation? Is this some way for my host to say "yes, you can use cgi [as long as you use the two we offer you]" ?

I found this in a read me file in the file mgr-
"Place your CGIs into the /cgi-bin directory. You can place and run any CGI under /html as well, but it should end with .cgi or .pl."
....and I tried that as well, and it didn't work. :o/

I am planning on searching for a new host when renewal time comes up. I really do not want to invest the extra money right now into paying for these options unless I am halfway comfortable with using them (perl/cgi, php, etc..) but I *really* want to learn! *g*

I was told Lycos.uk offered all of this, but when I looked at the file manager for that account (after I joined), there is not a cgi-bin directory listed, it takes you straight to the html file. :(

Any input or suggestions would be appreciated, if you made it this far you deserve some chocolate ;)

TIA~

~Wendy~

[jimr451]

Wendy,

If your host has "global" scripts set up for their clients, such as the "pre-installed guestbook" you found, then it makes sense that the "cgi-sys" directory is something controlled only by them.

What's likely happening is that since you do not subscribe to the CGI option, it will not work, regardless of the appearance of a "cgi-bin" in your tree. The provider can "turn off" CGI for your entire site if they so desire.

I'd say your best bet is to contact them and ask directly. Maybe for a small fee they will "turn on" the feature, or else, you'll at least know the full story when you start shopping for another host.

regards,

-Jim

[Wood28]

Thank you Jim!
I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

~Wendy~