Forum Moderators: mack
Sounds like what you need to do is start learning about cgi scripts... Scripts written in Perl or PHP scripting languages can be installed on your web server, and that's how most forums and other interactive/dynamic sites work. :)
For the start I look would at the exact requirements of those elements and find an already available-and-free-for-download script, install it and learn how to customize it - this way learning about the programming too.
Suggestions are: htttp://www.hotscripts.com and [simplythebestscripts.com....]
As mivox suggested, it looks like you're ready for some server-side scripting, which comes in various forms such as Perl/CGI, PHP, ASP or Cold Fusion, just to name a few. So, which one of these to use? Well... that depends on a couple of factors. First off, what server-side technologies does your web host support? Also, does your hosting plan allow for databases, such as MySQL, SQL server or MS Access? Once you get a general idea of which tools you have at your disposal, head over to HotScripts.com. This is a great site to find free scripts, such as polls, message boards and the like. Most sites that offer these scripts also have demo versions online, so be sure to check these out (don't forget to check the administrative portion as well).
Hopefully, by this point you'll know what server-side technologies you can use (i.e. PHP and MySQL or ASP and Access, for example), and you should have a good idea of what scripts you'd like to try. Next, you should take these script out for a test drive, by installing them on your own PC. This way, you can find out how easy the script is to customize and implement as well as updating the look/feel to match your existing site. In order to do this, though, you will need a web server running on your computer. If you go the ASP route, you'll need IIS and if you go the PHP route, you'll need Apache. Generally speaking, either is fairly easy to set up and can be had for free, if you have the right version of Windows (Mac and certain Windows versions can't run IIS).
Now, when it comes to using FrontPage for this, you may have some problems. I'll say right up front that I don't like FrontPage, so I'm biased in this regard. But... One of the reasons why I don't like FrontPage is the fact that it will re-write code. Consequently, it can really scramble up some of these free scripts you download. I find that a text editor works much better for this...
So, to sum up: find out what technology you can use, find some free scripts that meet your needs, set up a test/development environment on your server, then evaluate the scripts. If the scripts look like they'll work for you, edit them in a text editor to match your site's look and feel, then you should be ready to publish to your site. It sounds like a lot of work because, well..., it is. But, if you break the process down into smaller steps it will be much easier.
Good luck!
[...] by installing them on your own PC. [...] In order to do this, though, you will need a web server running on your computer.
Not nessessarily; you can still simply upload the scripts to a 'hosted' server and test them out there. But you will need to install an FTP-transfer program (Frontpage handles the "Uploading" itself) to get your script files online.
