Quick File Mailer 1.1
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Quick Setup
This program can easily be set-up within two minutes.
- Make sure the path to Perl at the top of the script "quick_file_mailer.cgi" is correct. This
program ships with a value of "/usr/bin/perl". This works on a large majority of servers. However, if
it doesn't, then please check our installation tutorial for the methods of finding out the path to Perl.
- There are two variables you must configure and two optional variables.
- $path_to_sendmail
- This is the absolute path to sendmail on your server. The program ships with a value of "/usr/sbin/sendmail" and is one that is
commonly used. If that doesn't work, then please read our installation tutorial to find out the methods of obtaining the path to sendmail
on your server.
- $File_Directory
- This variable requires the absolute path to the directory containing the files that you are going to be mailing out.
Create a directory on your server then enter it's absolute path in this variable. If you are unsure what an absolute path
is or how to determine it, read our installation tutorial for instructions on finding
out what the absolute path to a directory is.
- $Data (Optional)
- If you would like to have the program store a template of an e-mail message (it's pre-filled in whenever you call the form), then you
will have to specify a directory where the program can store it's data in. If you want to have the program keep a record of whom it has
sent files to and what files were sent, you will also have to set this variable for that to work as well.
Create a directory on your server, where the program can store this information. CHMOD that directory 777 and then enter it's absolute path in this variable. Complete directions for creating and CHMODing directories can be found in our installation tutorial.
- $lock_template (Optional)
- If you set up the program and store your first template and are sure that is the one that you are going to use repeatedly, set this variable to '1' and re-upload the script. By setting this variable, the program will NOT allow the template to be overwritten. However, you can edit the template still for each individual mailing.
- Once you have saved the changes, upload the "quick_file_mailer.cgi" script to your server, then CHMOD it 755. Some servers allow you to run a Perl script anywhere on your server, however, most will require that you run it from the cgi-bin.
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Sending a file(s)
To send a file, call the program by entering the URL to it in your browser. Next:
- Enter the e-mail (and name) of the person you are sending to.
- Select the file(s) you want to send to them.
- If you are using a template and your return name, e-mail and e-mail message don't need altering, then your final step is to click the "Process Mailing" button. If your not using a template (or it's your first call to the script) then you will additionally have to enter your return e-mail address and the message for the e-mail.
If you set the $Data variable, all mailings are recorded and a summary of them will be printed at the bottom of the screen. You have the option not to record a mailing by simply checking the "Do not store this in the sent file list" checkbox at the bottom of the form. This will still mail out the file but the mailing will not be recorded in the sent file history.
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Saving/Changing a template
Whenever you send a new mailing, you have the option of updating your template. To do this, check the "Store this message as the template" checkbox. That will overwrite your template with the content of this mailing. The items that are stored in the template are your name, your e-mail address, the subject line and the e-mail message itself.
If you have set the $lock_template variable, then you will NOT see this checkbox.
If this is your first call to the program, then you should send a file to yourself (good idea to test the setup) and use this first mailing to create your template from. It is recommended that you do a test mailing to yourself for each file you have uploaded anyway.
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Displaying Files
Whenever you call the program, it looks into the directory you specified in $File_Directory. The program then extracts a list of the files that are in there and then prints them out to the program page along with a checkbox. This is how you select your file(s) for mailing.
This program should handle just about any mime type that you require. We have tested it with multiple file formats and all were delivered without difficulty. That said, new mime-types are emerging so, if you encounter a file format that is NOT shipped correctly (that is, it arrives corrupted), please let us know about it.
We recommend that you run a test mailing to yourself whenever you add a new file type to ensure that it arrives in tact and not corrupted.
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Clearing the sent file history
If you are storing a record of sent files and wish to clear that list, then click the "Clear Sent File List" at the bottom of the screen. You will be prompted to confirm this selection. Clearing the list permanently and irreversibly erases the list of sent fils up to that point. Clearing the list will NOT affect your stored template.
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Security
There is only one aspect about this program to keep in mind. That is that fact that the program does not have any built in user name or password protection. Therefore, it is STRONGLY recommended that you put this program inside of a directory that is protected with Basic Authentication.
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Support
If you are unable to set-up this program or are uncomfortable setting up the program then please contact our support department.
We offer an installation service, details of which are available at the support centre. Note that due to the unpredictable nature of NT and Mac servers, we do not offer support or installation services for programs being installed on these types of servers. This program was written for a UNIX server.
If you do not receive a response from our support centre within 24 hours, contact us
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