A word on running CGI Scripts on Your Web Space

Some hosting companies place significant restrictions on custom CGI scripts which make it almost impossible to develop anything more complex than a noddy form-mail script.

If you see any of the following restrictions you should not use the hosting company if you plan to write complex bespoke CGI scripts:

(a) The script cannot be uploaded direct to the CGI area but must be placed in a special area where it is vetted by "script police" before being moved to the real CGI area by them - when they get around to it in 3 or 4 working days.

(b) Your scripts may not write data to private files in the CGI area but only to files in the HTML area.

(c) Data files or configuration files which are not themselves scripts cannot be kept in the CGI area but must be placed in the HTML area.

(d) You must not use the standard server environment variables SCRIPT_NAME or SCRIPT_FILENAME because the server has been hacked so they are unavailable for "security reasons".

If you see a hosting company which enforces all of the above restrictions then avoid it like the plague because it will be impossible to develop any script containing more than a few lines of code in a sensible timescale.

All These Offerings Are Too Restrictive. Is There A More Relaxed Provider?

If these 'real' providers seem a bit too much for you, then there are some alternatives. You could join a server 'cooperative', where by a bunch of people get a server together and run their websites on it. Crosswired is one such project.

Or you could find a more flexible web hosting company - there are plenty of flexible ones!

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