Using MGI
In the Using MGI section, you will learn how to use MGI in
your web site by following step-by-step instructions for typical
MGI functions such as displaying banner ads, processing forms
to email, searching databases, and shopping online. You will
begin using MGI immediately without memorizing every option of
an MGI tag. Read the Using MGI section to get started using MGI
or to review a typical MGI function.
The functions below are organized loosely by complexity with
the simple functions at the top of the list and more complex
functions at the bottom of the list. If you are a new MGI user,
we suggest that you start with the simple functions and try more
complex functions as you gain experience with using MGI. However,
depending on the amount of time you can spend learning MGI and
your goals for using MGI, you may want to start with the function
that is most useful to you.
Throughout the tutorials, read the Help sections (Warning, Caution,
Definitions, and Tips)
to avoid fatal errors and mistakes, clarify terms, and incorporate
the helpful hints of experienced users into your MGI code.
Displaying
Page Counters
- Learn how to display text and graphic counters on a page
of your web site. Learn advanced counter techniques including
setting counter values, custom counter graphics and hidden counters
with a separate counter summary page.
Using Web Based
Email
- Learn how to read, delete and send web based emails. Learn
advanced email techniques including the automatic re-attempt
of failed emails and downloading email from a POP server into
an MGI database.
Processing Forms
to Email
- Learn how to send an email that contains information from
a form submission. Learn advanced form processing techniques
including verifying information in form fields, embedding form
information in the email header, sending email attachments and
sending encrypted emails.
Collecting
Guestbook Entries
- Learn how to collect, format and display visitors' comments
and information. Learn advanced guestbook techniques including
displaying guestbook entries real-time.
Displaying
Banner Ads
- Learn how to schedule and display banner ads using a web-based
interface. Learn advanced banner ad techniques including setting
a default group of banner ads.
Password
Protecting Pages (Authentication)
- Learn how to password protect pages with a single username
and password. Learn advanced authentication techniques including
database-driven password protection for separate groups of users,
setting and retrieving usernames and passwords with encrypted
cookies, validating the uniqueness of new usernames, and adding
new usernames and passwords via a form submission.
Administering
Polls and Surveys
- Learn how to collect and display survey information. Learn
advanced polling techniques including customizing poll results
and preventing multiple poll entries by the same visitor.
Administering
Online Quizzes
- Learn how to administer online quizzes. Learn advanced quiz
techniques including customizing quiz grading, timing quizzes,
displaying quiz grades real-time and viewing, searching, and
exporting quiz grades.
Embedding MGI
Tags
- Learn how to embed one MGI tag within another MGI tag. Learn
advanced embedding techniques including multiple embedded tags
using variables.
Using Variables
- Learn how to set and display temporary page variables and
database-driven site variables. Learn advanced variable techniques
including number and boolean variable types.
Using
If, Then, Else Comparisons
- Learn how to make simple inline and regular if, then, else
comparisons with the value of browsers, clients, cookies, the
current date, form fields, post arguments, referring URLs and
variables. Learn advanced conditional comparison techniques such
as nested if statements.
Creating
Databases
- Learn how to create and modify database files, tables and
fields. Learn advanced functions such as how to add new tables
and fields to existing database files.
Populating
Databases
- Learn how to create new database records and enter information
into a database fields. Learn advanced functions such as how
to import records from an existing database, navigate between
records, update existing records, and search for records.
Searching
Databases and Displaying Results
- Learn how to search database fields and display a list of
matching results and detailed information for each result in
the list. Learn advanced database searching techniques including
the use of a separate page to display results (and detailed result
information), pre-defined searches, and the dynamic display of
database information without a search submission.
Shopping
Online
- Learn how to integrate a shopping basket system with products
that are statically displayed on pages and with products that
are dynamically displayed in the results list after a database
search. Learn advanced online shopping techniques including customizing
the shopping basket display, encrypting orders, implementing
inventory control, integrating static and dynamic info basket
systems (to request information on products and services rather
than purchase products and services), and authorizing credit
cards via Accesspoint and AuthorizeNet.
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