Flash vs ListBot

[Groovastic]

Hi!

I'd like to offer the visitors of my site to join my mailinglist (ListBot).
To use ListBot in a conventional HTML file, it is necessary to insert the following code into the HTML file:
< !-- Begin ListBot Code -->
<form method="post" action="http://www.listbot.com/cgi-bin/subscriber">
<table border=0><tr><td colspan=2>
Join our mailing list!

Enter your email address below,

then click the 'Join List' button:

</td></tr><tr><td>
<input type=text name="e_mail">
<input type=hidden name="list_id" value="groovastic">
<input type=hidden name="Act" value="subscribe_list">
</td><td>
<input type=image src="http://www.listbot.com/subscribe_button.gif" border=0 width=88 height=31 alt="Click here to join our mailing list!">
</td></tr><tr><td colspan=2>
<font size=1 face="arial"><a href="http://www.listbot.com/" target="_top">Powered by ListBot</a></font>

</td></tr></table>
</form>
< !-- End ListBot Code -->
I must admit that I have never worked before with CGIs and the Flash-functions to set variables etc.
How do I have to insert the mentioned code into a Flash movie.
Please help because my site is as well my final study work.
Thanx...
groovastic

[mentalray]

i'm not sure if listbot will accept the data
sent not from their original listbot code,
but here is what you need in flash to
submit the same info:

1. create editable text field and set it's
variable in properties to: "e_mail" (without quotes).
2. add such actions to the frame:
Set Variable: "list_id" = "groovastic"
Set Variable: "Act" = "subscribe_list"
Set Variable: "x" = "45"
Set Variable: "y" = "12"
3. add the submit button to your scene, assign such action onrelease for it:
Get URL ("http://www.listbot.com/cgi-bin/subscriber", vars=POST)

that should work.. at least it returns same values and variables as the original html code.

just i'm not sure how it will function, as when you submit from html - you receive reply from server "you're added or smth" but the flash movie wouldn't accept such confirms.
you should use some complicated cgi script in your server - to send values from flash to it, then that script formats and sends the request to listbot script and when it receives the confirmation from listbot, it again translates it to flash variable' syntax and returns it to the initial flash movie.

[Groovastic]

Thanks for your immediate answer. unfortunately it has not worked. Refering to your suggestion about CGIs on my server I must tell you that my site is placed on my university's server and at the moment it's not possible to place CGIs on my account. I also wrote to Listbot and they could not help me either. What else can I do?
You suggested me the following:
>1. create editable text field and set it's
>variable in properties to: "e_mail"
>(without quotes).
I did it!

>2. add such actions to the frame:
>Set Variable: "list_id" = "groovastic"
>Set Variable: "Act" = "subscribe_list"
>Set Variable: "x" = "45"
>Set Variable: "y" = "12"
I did it, but why adding it to the frame and not to the button?

>3. add the submit button to your scene, >assign such action onrelease for it:
>Get URL ("http://www.listbot.com/cgi-
>bin/subscriber", vars=POST)
The Get URL function asks me as well for the level. I suppose that I must fill in "0", don't I?

Hope you got an idea!

Groovastic

[This message has been edited by Groovastic (edited 21 March 2000).]

[mentalray]

well..the best solution i found - and it works - is:

>>1. create editable text field and set it's variable in properties to: "e_mail" (without quotes).
>I did it!
ok - it must be.

>>2. add such actions to the frame:
>>[...]
>I did it, but why adding it to the frame and not to the button?
it makes no difference.. the only - those variables must be set at the same level/target as email-textfield and submit button.

so this once try:
2/3. create the submit button in your scene and assign such actions to it:
On (Release)
Set Variable: "list_id" = "groovastic"
Set Variable: "Act" = "subscribe_list"
Set Variable: "x" = "45"
Set Variable: "y" = "12"
Get URL ("http://www.listbot.com/cgi-bin/subscriber", window="_blank", vars=POST)
End On

>The Get URL function asks me as well for the >level. I suppose that I must fill in "0", >don't I?
you mean 'window' attribute??

note that this time it is not blank, but uses '_blank' - that will open new window as the user click on submit button, and in that new window will load listbot' confirmation/registration/etc.

i tried all this with other listbot list and ir really works.. if you still find any problems - i could email you flash project.

cheers,
mentalray

[Groovastic]

Yes please send me your project because I have followed your instructioons and it still does not work. And I really don't know why!
Or do you want me to send you my little project?

Cheers
Groovastic

[This message has been edited by Groovastic (edited 21 March 2000).]

[mentalray]

i just sent zipped project, movie and html to your email @hotmail.
feel free to contact if there still be any troubles..