Tools: Web Forms for Common Needs

Overview

Web form handling means that there is a program running on the web server that performs some predetermined function on the data received when a site visitor submits a form on your site. Common needs means that the server program was developed to handle the same kinds of requests for multiple sites, rather than being customized for or only used by a single site. The two current handlers are an email gateway and a basic event registration handler. We plan on adding more form handlers with other functionality. Please contact Web Services with suggestions for new services.

Form to Email Gateway

The most commonly used form handler offered for BSD-hosted websites takes the submitted form data and merges it into a predefined template then emails it to any email address(es) that the site owner requests. For example, if a site has a contact form with three questions (text input for Name, drop-down select for Topic, and a large text input box for Comments) the submitted data could be emailed to the relevant BSD staff with a Subject line "Feedback from website" and text like so:

Name: Somebody Important
Topic: Comment on website
Comments: I like your site.

BSDIS can create this form for you. Please create a mockup using your word-processing program and submit a request to the help desk. An alternative is that you or someone you designate can create the form using our programming interface. Please notify BSDIS if you do add this type of form. We plan on upgrading the form functionality soon so if you have any needs that the current form does not address, please let us know that as well.

Event Registration

Some organizations within the BSD have annual retreats or other events that have basic needs for registering attendees online. BSDIS can provide you with a simple form (customized with the information you want to gather) that saves each registrant's information to a database. You can then securely view the info online or download to review in a spreadsheet.

Depending on your needs customizing the form can be time-consuming so please request help well in advance of your registration needs.