version 3.0b

"Copthis [Australian. Colloq.] look at this."
CopThis Unix Perl 5+ CGI is a versatile free-to-use UNIX promo e-mail generator created to help increase awareness of your site using Sendmail. These forms are used extensively on the Internet because they allow visitors to send an e-mail message about your site to friends, right there while their enthusiasm is fresh. Via feedback, it has surprised us just how many site's visitors are using this simple promo method.

**CopThis still uses efficient server resource friendly flat file data files, so it will avoid any licensing problems which may arise from the mySQL sellout (2010). **CopThis DOES NOT use MySQL!

We DO NOT support Spam scum-bags
...nor can one trust anyone who offers programs written to "harvest" emails not properly subscribed!!
If one harvests and uses "friends" e-mail addresses sent by visitors via a tell-a-friend type form for ANY reason, one is guilty of SPAMMING or contributing to it (the user supplies the addresses NOT the receiver!). Unethical e-mail address harvesting scum-bags will need another program! CopThis does not support such practises.

Go figure?
Several more recent similar programs do offer just that... one site then even hypocritically talks about the wrongs of trash spam mail and "protecting users address information" regarding another of their programs!!

Perhaps instead use a versatile Subscribing program like E-Lists, and place a URL linked comment in the CopThis "friend's" text to join whatever via a subscriber form... written wisely genuine responses can be achieved (subscribers generally trust someone ASKING them to subscribe).

The major CopThis options....

• 1 to 15 Multiple Recipients in each form! - form independent
  Now CopThis will handle forms containing up to 15 "friends" address and name input box pairs (each form can have a different number - 1 to 15)
• First to do so... still retains the "auto" regeneration of a form - with ALL input - when errors are detected (including the "users message" option - next)
• Although an invitation for senseless low-IQ spamming of disgusting messages as experienced by some sites, CopThis now includes the gimmick of allowing the visitor to enter their own additional message - as a form design option; form independent
• If the above "additional user message" option is used, the message is "bad word" checked, 'idiots' long-words checked, and lines shortened for the e-mail paragraphs (wrap option)
• Repeat addresses are time blocked.
• unique since '98: Avoid repeat-address blocking / counting when testing forms/e-mails.
• User and "Friends" IP# / Address rejection list (admin edit).
• Each form can specify a different "visit" URL in the friends e-mail (or still use the sites config default).
• Option to specify return page link on success page; (different link in each form) OR just specify "Close Window" if using JS pop-up windows.
• Option to completely override the "success" page, reloading ANY page after submission of addresses. ( including the same form-page! )
• Log submission and address counts - All AND by page name.
• You design your own forms, on your pages! ( samples supplied )
• Edit default colour choices for the error pages ( config variables )

Put a form on as many pages as you like - the more the better! Each submission sends a pre-set message to the visitors friend(s), confirmation message to the visitor, and if desired, notification to you. Customise the message from your browser. Multiple submissions to the same address are blocked for 48 hours ( 48 by default, but the time lapse is variable ). You can also include a return Link on the success page or override the success page.

If input syntax errors are detected
... in the input fields, CopThis regenerates a form with users input data for correction; ie does not just generate an error message - CopThis was first to intoduce this feature late '98.

professional installations
for those willing to support my free-to-use programs.

Admin also allows you to add or delete in a rejection list of nuisance IP#s and domains of recipients that you want ( or are requested to be ) excluded. Admin is password protected naturally and accessed via your browser; no FTP necessary.

Every submission is counted and the current count is readily viewed via the simple generated admin page, including as an option, counts by individual form page-name.
admin page Sample - (opens new window).

UPGRADES NOTE MAJOR changes have occurred since v2.... described in the readme.htm page.

NOTE: These scripts are created as working programs for webmasters, and not the common "play with and learn" free scripts found on some sites. If you are affronted by this, then please use someone else's programs.

A UNIX program, there are two configuration and one code 'require' files, sample forms, detailed readme.htm page, and several auxiliary files attached. CopThis perl cgi generates a fully formatted administration page, accessed directly via the form OR a webmasters links page (also included).

All programs include utilities to check Unix perl version, plus create and chmod directories and files - works on most sites - and a detailed HTML help page.