Best Web Script
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Best FREE or low cost tools for building a Portal / Vortal
| General Suggestions | Best Free or Low Cost Scripts | Upcoming Awards |
This page will save you a lot of time. If you are looking for any of these components to add to your site just choose from the ones found below. For more you can go to our links category Favorite Free Script Sites and find more. If this is not enough then search the category Webmasters.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS
There are several things to consider when choosing a script. We, at stylusinc.com do not choose a script simply based on how it functions or the number of features. You consider the following points when selecting a script.
What is the support?
These scripts are often slightly "rough." You are not getting a refined tested off-the-shelf type product. In other words, no easy installation wizards. Therefore it is very helpful to be able to get advice when facing problems with installation or administration.
What is the documentation?
Again, because this scripts are not polished corporate products many scripts have poorly prepared documentation or highly technical user manuals. This can make it very difficult to install and maintain. The script authors can author scripts but are sometimes not the best communicators.
Will the script be upgraded?
The web changes so quickly that scriptwriters need to keep improving their scripts. Often a script is created and then left to fade and die. Avoid these scripts. Pick the ones with a bright future.
Can the script be modified to fit the site?
Some scripts do not have an interface that allows for modification. Modification is especially important for enhancing the look and feel of your site. This problem should be changing so that soon most good scripts will have an easy-to-modify HTML template.
Is the installation easy?
Some scripts cause so many problems that they may not be worth the trouble. If you are doing this for the first time look for simple scripts.
Does it operate on my server or on theirs?
There are pros and cons for scripts that reside on either server. Often if the script resides on another server the developer or owner requires that you place an ad on your site. Also your visitors go to another server for a split second to perform the scripts operation.
Is the administration of the script easy and efficient?
Most scripts require some maintenance and modifications. A good script will make this easy. Go to the scripts demo and check this out.
Is the script made for UNIX or NT?
It is important that you select scripts that are designed to be used on the appropriate server. Most Perl scripts are for UNIX servers and all the scripts mentioned below are designed for UNIX.
Does the script allow you to demo?
You should always try the online demo. This gives you an opportunity to see how it works and in some cases helps you see how others are using the script.
What do other users say about the script?
In my opinion this is the most important factor to consider when choosing a script. The best way to find user comments is to go to cgi-resources.com and look at both the rating and the user comments. Pay close attention to the users comments that are critical. Here you will see potential problems.
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BEST FREE OR LOW COST SCRIPTS
| Forum | Survey | Quiz | Calendar | Guest Book | Site Promotion | Site Statistics | Chat | News | Links |
FORUM
What is it?
It allows your visitors to post their questions, opinions etc. It is really at the heart of a good vortal and is one key ingredient in building an online community. This kind of peer-to-peer collaboration is turning out to be one of the biggest benefits of web communities.
The Winner
Script Name: DC Forum 99
URL: DC Scripts at http://www.dcscripts.com/dcforum99.shtml
Price: $98 or $39 for non-profits
Review: David at DC Scripts makes it a pleasure to use his scripts. His responses are fast and friendly. Furthermore the DC Forum 99 functions well and is easy to administrate. This is not a free forum script but the $98 price is well worth it. He also gives a discount to non-profit use of the script.
Second Place
Script Name: Discuss Pro 3.1
URL: http://www.chem.hope.edu/discus/
Price: $99
Review: This one just keeps getting better and better!
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SURVEY
What is it?
A good survey serves two purposes. It allows you to get customer feedback as well as visitor information, and it is interesting for your site visitors. They may return again and again to see the results of a survey.
The Winner
Script Name: Big Nose Bird Survey
URL: http://bignosebird.com/carchive/survey.shtml
Price: FREE!
Review: This is easy to set up. You can see how we are using it on our site.
Second Place
Script Name: Cliff's Voting Booth version 1.5
URL: http://www.shavenferret.com/scripts/vote/
Price: FREE!
Review: This script allows for visitors to add their own questions.
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Quiz
What is it?
We have spent exhaustive hours looking for a good script. Please let us know when you find one. We want one that will score the test, produce results, track students and allow for some modifications.
The Winner
Script Name: None
Second Place
Script Name: None
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CALENDAR
What is it?
A good calendar can help your visitors view upcoming events.
The Winner
Script Name: Matt Kruse's Calendar
URL: http://mkruse.netexpress.net/scripts/calendar/index.html
Price: FREE!
Review: Easy to install.
Second Place
Script Name: Lozinski's Calendar version 7.0
URL: http://users.erols.com/lozinski/calendar/calendar.html
Price: $50
Review: This script even allows visitors to post their events.
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GUEST BOOK
What is it?
Visitors to your site can add their name, comments and email address.
The Winner
Script Name: DCGuest version 2.0
URL: http://www.dcscripts.com/dcguest97.shtml
Price: $35
Review: Again we selected this script because of the reputation of the author. You will get good service. Also we thought that it is easier to deal with one company and we have given DC Scripts other awards so you can use several scripts from DC Scripts
Second Place
Script Name: Big Nose Bird Guestbook
URL: http://bignosebird.com/carchive/bnbbook.shtml
Price: FREE!
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SITE PROMOTION
What is it?
There are plenty of good sites to help you. We are just covering software to help you submit your site to search engines and then track your ranking in these search engines. Submitting you site-using software is often not enough to keep your site in the first few pages of a Yahoo or Excite search. Often it requires constant evaluation and submission by hand.
The Winner
Script Name: Selfpromotion.com
URL: www.selfpromotion.com
Price: FREE or $10
Review: This is not a download but a site that allows you to submit to many search engines and provides tons of good advice. You can enjoy this site.
Second Place
Script Name: TrafficBuilder
URL: www.streamlineplaza.com
Price: $49 or $99
Third Place
Script Name: WebPosition Gold WebResults 2000
Price: FREE for a limited version
Review: This software will help you determine your ranking on the major search engines.
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SITE STATISTICS
What is it?
It is important to track who is coming to your site. There are plenty of good software packages available, some are expensive.
The Winner
Script Name: Goldstats
URL: www.goldstats.com
Price: This is a free service.
Review: It is not a script to download. You put their logo on your site and your visitors get logged onto their server. They get some free advertising and you get some good information about your visitors, search engines, keywords enter what country they are from etc. We would have picked hitbox.com for the award but the statistic come too slow from their server.
Second Place
Script Name: WebSite Reporter version 3.03
URL: http://www.websitereporter.com/demo/index.html
Price: This will cost you $75.
Review: The information is kept on their server.
Third Place
Script Name: FastStats
URL: www.mach5.com
Price: $99
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CHAT
What is it?
Not much explanation is needed here. Most everyone knows about chatting.
The Winner
Script Name: Jabberchat version 1.0c
URL: http://www.prowler-pro.com/jabberchat/
Price: FREE!
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NEWS
What is it?
These scripts allow you to post the latest happening about your site. Anyone with a password can update this news.
The Winner
Script Name: News Publisher version 1.05
URL: http://www.roosh.com/news_publisher/demo/index.shtml
Price: FREE!
Review: This allows you to post news to your site without uploading.
Second Place
Script Name: NewPro 3.61
URL: http://amphibian.gagames.com/newspro/
Price: FREE!
Third Place
Script Name: Newsman lite 1.6
URL: http://cgizone.stormerwebdesign.com/newsmanlite.html
Price: FREE!
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LINKS
What is it?
Your site can have a list of categories with links to other sites. This is not very different to Yahoo, Excite or other search engines.
The Winner
Script Name: DC Links
URL: DC Scripts at http://www.dcscripts.com/dcforum99.shtml
Price: FREE!
Review: David at DC Scripts wins again. This is mainly because of his fantastic support. Unfortunately it does not have the ability to search. It is also the beta version and may have some problems.
Second Place
Script Name: Gossamer Threads Links 2.0
URL: http://www.gossamer-threads.com/scripts/links/
Price: FREE to non-profits otherwise $150
Third Place
Script Name: Ilink Mini Search Engine
URL: http://www.interactive-web.net/freeware/ilink.shtml
Price: FREE!
Review: This is a nice link script almost like Yahoo
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AWARDS TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER
1. BEST FREE OR LOW COST TOOLS
SEARCH
What is it? Most good vortals or portals will allow the visitor to search the site for keywords.
TELL A FRIEND
What is it? This helps a visitor inform a friend about the site. It sends an email notification.
E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION
What is it? Many portals or vortals allow visitors to add their name to the site so that in the future they can receive updates or newsletters.
FORM
What is it?
Many sites need a place for visitors or customers to respond. These scripts let visitors complete a form and then submit it to you, the webmaster. It comes to you via email and can be added to a text database.
2. EXCITING NEW SCRIPTS
3. MOST POPULAR SCRIPTS
4. NEW FUNCTIONS
5. MOST USEFUL SCRIPTS FOR PORTAL OR VORTAL DEVELOPMENT
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