🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <56ajpe$hjk@tilde.csc.ti.com>, david@dlep1.itg.ti.com (David) wrote:

: Hi,
: I have a biz that I would like to expand on the web. We are in the 
: teaching/tutoring sector and would like to have a web site were
: students can log on, get instructions and eventualy take a test.
: I have been calling around (Dallas) and it seems nobody has the
: time or the capability to help, is not like I'm asking it for free.
: So I thought to ask people with more experience.
: 
: Some of the requirements are:
: Secure business (credit cards, SSN etc etc)
: Ability to monitor user logons (mostly time).
: 
: I know how to do HTML and some "light" scripting myself. What I have
been when 
: calling around for is: can "you" fill the gaps (as is handle the credit card 
: issues, logon security and monitoring) + provide the space on the server.
: 
: Am'I asking the wrong question or ????

not at all. most techs at ISPs would rather piss in a wall socket than
explain web solutions to the unwashed plebes, and they avoid "users" web
questions like the plague. ISP tech chiefs here take note!

three well-selected webserver CGIs are your answer. this is an edit of my
usual stock reply:

any larger local ISP can assist you...but only with CGI support enough to
allow you to install your own. (paying for custom CGI work is still
cost-prohibitivly outrageous). instead, simply get an $89/mo "webpackage"
a/k/a "business" or "virtual webserver" type of webdeal, from a better
ISP, that will include your own cgi directory. plug in your choice of CGIs
to meet your demands and you're ready to build.

only three simple CGIs should fill your needs: userID & password, basic
forms handling, and a good guestbook. this will allow you: password
access, online testing, and virtual "attendance" taking. "light"
scripting/modification is all you'll need. all of this info and data is,
of course, free on the web, although "webmaster" book/CD combos abound
that are full of sample CGIs and instruction. visit
<http://www.wdvl.com/>.

all webservers have access logs, but the ability to monitor login time
(especially length) for a specific user, automatically, is impossible
(there's no "constant connection" to a webserver like there is to a BBS).
your need may be best served with passwords and a sign-in&out sheet
(guestbook) CGI. no way to give timed tests, in other words, or limit
access by time.

but as far as taking cc no.s: it's a debatable topic, but taking credit
card numbers over the web is no less secure than taking them by phone.
create a CGI form for payment and go. if users are paranoid they can phone
or fax it in. if you do not have a merchant account, take advantage of the
many CC "fulfillment houses" operating on the Web who can handle payment
stuff for you. (at a price, of course). for a demo of one of these see any
larger adult site on the web. you can alternatively just take checks ;)

Secure socket-layer (SSL) server access is really overkill; userID and
password access to pages is all you really need for security. (and you
surely need no one's SSN, ever!). if you're hyperparanoid about security
you could force PGP on users but that's too torturous for humans, and
careful: Don't plan heavily on any such whistles (i.e., frames,
browserspecific, java or plugin-reliant etc) that will exceed the
capability of the new $300 WebTV boxes that are just now preparing to
swamp the market for xmas. buy one at Sears now and test your site when
ready.


finally: don't overlook a really fine appearance and a very pleasing look.
on the web, you is what your pages are. most people without a mac,
photoshop, and a designer's discipline will not be able to create a
professional environment; most businessmen are incapable of objectively
realizing their homebrew site is driving away customers. pay a graphics
person for a final makeover.

private (self) education and Horatio Alger-style enterprise will save this
country and it will happen because of the Web and folks like you. g'bless
and g'luck!

-iMp

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