how do I create a forum-I'm a newbie?

DW will expect (require?) you to have a fair familiarity with HTML/CSS as
you use it. Failing that test will undoubtedly lead you into a series of
dark and twisty passages.... 8)

There are only two ways to process form data -

1. Use mailto:name@example.com as the action of the form
2. Use a server-side scripting method to a) harvest the form's data, b)
process it in some manner, e.g., enter it into a database, c) formulate and
send an email to one or more email recipients, and d) redirect the visitor
to some ending page

Method 1 is quite simple, and is also the least reliable. It depends both
on your visitor having an email client already installed on their computer -
this eliminates public computers, or home users without email clients
installed (more and more it seems) - and on the installed email client
responding to
the mailto call. It is not possible to use this method *and* send the
visitor to a
thank you page as well.

Method 2a is the preferred method, since it eliminates the problems of
method
1, but it means that you have to grapple with server-scripting somehow (ASP,
CF, PHP, perl, etc.).

Method 2b would be to use some third-party form processing, like
http://www.bebosoft.com/products/formstogo/.

You would have to decide which of these methods is best for your needs,
but if it's Method 2a, then start by asking your host what they provide for
form
processing. If it's 2b, then read their FAQ/instructions carefully.


--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
http://www.projectseven.com/go - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
http://www.dwfaq.com - DW FAQs, Tutorials & Resources
==================


"nomoreuglyjars" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:g2pan6$9j$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>I am very new to dreamweaver, so I am not even sure that this is a
>dreamweaver
> question as it is a server question??? But, I am trying to create a form.
> I
> have already done so, but I just can't get it to link to my e-mail. I
> entered
> in the sendto:leahmerrill@hotmail tag so that when the customer clicks on
> the
> "Send" button, the info they entered in will be sent to my e-mail, but
> it's not
> allowing it to be sent. Is there a program I need or something? You can
> see how
> really bad I am at www.nomoreuglyjars.com. It's the box to the right that
> sais
> "free monthly giveaways". You click on that...you're taken to the form.
> But,
> when you click on the "Submit" button from there, it looks as though it's
> trying to connect via Outlook Express. I don't even think I have Outlook
> express set up...perhaps that's the problem. But, must I use Outlook
> Express to
> send the form info to my hotmail email account? I'm so webpage illiterate,
> I
> don't even know the right questions to ask. Can anyone guide me in the
> right
> direction here? Any help is greatly appreciated!!
>
> -Leah
>