making a page with holiday pictures from wich friends can order copies

How do I create the possibility to select pictures and order a copy

[Franky]

Hello Everybody,

I want to make a webpage to put on some pictures from a holiday weekend we had last week. I'm thinking it would be nice if my friends could not only see them online, but also order copies of the pictures they like.

Does anyone have an idea how to set this up? I'm thinking about a small circle under each picture whith the possibility to 'catching finches' (I hope I translate this correctly) the picture if someone wants to order a copy. The order consisting of all wanted copies should be sent to my email adress.

I hope my question is comprehensible. I'm curious about possible answers! Thanx in advance!

Greetings, Franky

[ShawnR]

You could put the pictures in a form. Next to each picture you could put a checkbox (i.e. <input type="checkbox" ....> )

For a very simple solution, the 'action' on the form could be a mailto:, although that has numerous disadvantages, so if your host provides cgi, it would be better to use a cgi script to receive the form and email it on to you. Mosts cheap hosts have a cgi script that you can use to do this.

Shawn

[Franky]

Hello Shawn,

Thanx for your answer! I know now in what direction to look for the way to do it.

I'm curious about the 'numerous disadvantages of the very simple solution'. Could you tell me a bit more about them?

Thanx again, greetings Franky

[ShawnR]

Hi Franky

"...curious about the 'numerous disadvantages of the very simple solution' ..."

Forms with "mailto:" actions have problems which fall into one of 2 categories:

• Dependant on browser implementation
  
• Confidentiality issues
  

Dependant on browser implementation
====================================

• Won't work on browsers which don't support mailto, or if the user hasn't configured it
  
• Some browsers don't place the form properly in the message body. May be in an attachment or not at all.
  
• The user is not directed to another page to confirm the form has been sent. They remain on the form page as if nothing has happened, so they think it did not work. ('Though this can be addressed with some javascript)
  
• Data arrives in differing formats, depending on the browser it was sent from
  
• Some browsers put up a dialog box saying the form is about to be mailed and this is not secure, so "are you sure?" Many users will be frightened off by the security warning, and cancel sending the form.
  

Confidentiality issues
======================

• Your email address is visible to spam-bots (email address harvesters). There are ways to make things harder for the spam-bots but that just challenges the bot writers to improve their bots.
  
• Your visitor is sending you their email address, which they may be unwilling to do, and hence may avoid using your form.
  

On the other hand, the mailto: action is very simple to implement, so for a site just for friends and family, it might do the job just fine.

Shawn

[Franky]

Hi Shawn,

Thank you very much for your detailed and comprehensible answer! Your answer says it all!

Greetings, Franky