Two different values set in one select/option choice

[Neal]

I can have a visitor choose a subject line for an email.

<div><label for="subject">S ubject:</label><br />
<select class="form" id="subject" name="subject">
<option value="one">One </option>
<option value="two">Two </option>
<option value="three">T hree</option>
</select></div>

I can also have them choose a destination.

<div><label for="recipient" >Send email to:</label><br />
<select class="form" id="recipient" name="recipient ">
<option value="1">Membe rship</option>
<option value="2">Perso nnel</option>
<option value="3">Webma ster</option>
</select></div>

Is it possible to do both together (without rewriting the script, as I'm
nowhere near qualified to be messing in that)? In other words, the user
would select an option which gives the topic as a subject line they are
writing about, AND that selection is automatically routed to the
appropriate recipient for that subject?

I could use the subject in the text and the email address as the value,
but one email recipient would be getting email on more than one topic, so
some means of setting both subject and recipient would be necessary. So
the webmaster might get emails with subject "Bug Report" or "Link
Submission", the subject line would serve to enable the emails to be
sorted properly, but emails with subjects like "Request New Password" or
Membership Question" would go to a different email address.

If it's not possible to rig this in the form itself, what options exist
that I haven't even entertained?

[kaeli]

In article <op************ **@news.rcn.com >, ne*****@spamrcn .com
enlightened us with...

Is it possible to do both together (without rewriting the script, as I'm
nowhere near qualified to be messing in that)? In other words, the user
would select an option which gives the topic as a subject line they are
writing about, AND that selection is automatically routed to the
appropriate recipient for that subject?

Sure.
I assume the server side script expects particular values recipient and
subject?
Have the selection of subject write the recipient to a hidden input.

Keep in mind this requires javascript. Not everyone HAS javascript
(enabled). So, caveat emptor.
It may be preferable to do the decision on who the recipient is in the
server-side script.

If you want the javascript solution, it is pretty easy. I can throw an
example together for you.
If you want the server-side solution, tell me which language you're
using. :)
--
--
~kaeli~
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

[Brian]

Neal wrote:

I could use the subject in the text and the email address as the
value, but one email recipient would be getting email on more than
one topic, so some means of setting both subject and recipient would
be necessary. So the webmaster might get emails with subject "Bug
Report" or "Link Submission"

Do you have control over email addresses? You could create different
email addresses for each topic. bu********@exam ple.com,
li************* @example.com, me********@exam ple.com

If one person should get two categories, forward both addresses to the
same inbox. Then the recipients will know the topic by the to: field.
Not nearly as neat as a script solution, mind you.

You might have a look at TFMail, from NMS. It is a more advanced form
mail script. If you can install CGI scripts, it might do the job for you.

--
Brian (remove "invalid" from my address to email me)
http://www.tsmchughs.com/

[Neal]

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:59:41 GMT, Brian
<us*****@juliet remblay.com.inv alid> wrote:

Neal wrote:

I could use the subject in the text and the email address as the
value, but one email recipient would be getting email on more than
one topic, so some means of setting both subject and recipient would
be necessary. So the webmaster might get emails with subject "Bug
Report" or "Link Submission"
Do you have control over email addresses? You could create different
email addresses for each topic. bu********@exam ple.com,
li************* @example.com, me********@exam ple.com

If one person should get two categories, forward both addresses to the
same inbox. Then the recipients will know the topic by the to: field.
Not nearly as neat as a script solution, mind you.

Oh my, our host allows 500 email addresses. My only problem is that if I
go the separate email route, most of the folks involved are a little inept
with computers, which means a LOT of hands-on tech help from me to get
these email addresses up and running - though there are forwarding and
other options there too. An excellent solution, but a last choice.


You might have a look at TFMail, from NMS. It is a more advanced form
mail script. If you can install CGI scripts, it might do the job for you.

Thanks for the tip - will look at it.

[Neal]

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 07:57:06 -0600, kaeli <ti******@NOSPA M.comcast.net>
wrote:

Sure.
I assume the server side script expects particular values recipient and
subject?
Have the selection of subject write the recipient to a hidden input.

Keep in mind this requires javascript. Not everyone HAS javascript
(enabled). So, caveat emptor.
It may be preferable to do the decision on who the recipient is in the
server-side script.

If you want the javascript solution, it is pretty easy. I can throw an
example together for you.
If you want the server-side solution, tell me which language you're
using. :)

Well, I don't want you to have to write a script for me. I can get the
page to write "Hello world" and that's about it ;). Besides, I do want to
avoid any reliance on Javascript on this site, our typical user is not
running top-of-the-line equipment and software, and is usually not
particularly computer savvy.

I guess the reality is that selecting the recipient and the subject value
cannot be done with one select box. I might do it in another method -
perhaps by having them choose a subject, then have the user get sent to a
page which has an email form set up for that specific recipient and all...
a few options exist, thanks for your help!

[kaeli]

In article <op************ **@news.rcn.com >, ne*****@spamrcn .com
enlightened us with...

Well, I don't want you to have to write a script for me.

I'm sure it's a simple if-then-else. :)
Seriously.
Take me two minutes.
Just tell me the language.

I guess the reality is that selecting the recipient and the subject value
cannot be done with one select box. I might do it in another method -
perhaps by having them choose a subject, then have the user get sent to a
page which has an email form set up for that specific recipient and all...
a few options exist, thanks for your help!

You're overcomplicatin g yourself - having a bunch of pages is too much
upkeep for such an easy task.

--
--
~kaeli~
Why do they sterilize the needles for lethal injections?
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

[Neal]

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:11:23 -0600, kaeli <ti******@NOSPA M.comcast.net>
wrote:

In article <op************ **@news.rcn.com >, ne*****@spamrcn .com
enlightened us with...

>

Well, I don't want you to have to write a script for me.

I'm sure it's a simple if-then-else. :)
Seriously.
Take me two minutes.
Just tell me the language.

Insistent! :)

I'm using the NMS formmail.pl on the site. So something that could be
added to that (without messing it up for another form on the site) would
be perfect. I suppose if the suject is K the recipient is L, and so on. I
know jack shit about scripting, but sounds like something one could do...

[Neal]

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:59:41 GMT, Brian
<us*****@juliet remblay.com.inv alid> wrote:

You might have a look at TFMail, from NMS. It is a more advanced form
mail script. If you can install CGI scripts, it might do the job for you.

I read through the documentation. Seems to me the only real extra bits are
more power over the confirmation message (which I'm satisfied with in my
current version), the ability to template the email better (which doesn't
matter to me), and support for emailing attatchments (read "the ability to
transport viruses", no thank you).

Are you aware of another improvement to the formmail that I'm not getting?

[Brian]

Neal wrote:

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004, kaeli wrote:

In article <op************ **@news.rcn.com >, ne*****@spamrcn .com
enlightened us with...

Well, I don't want you to have to write a script for me.

I'm sure it's a simple if-then-else. :)
Just tell me the language.

I'm using the NMS formmail.pl on the site.

And to kaeli, that's a cgi program written in Perl. ;-)

--
Brian (remove "invalid" from my address to email me)
http://www.tsmchughs.com/

[Brian]

Neal wrote:

On Mon, 23 Feb 20, Brian wrote:

You might have a look at TFMail, from NMS. It is a more advanced
form mail script.

I read through the documentation. Seems to me the only real extra
bits are more power over the confirmation message

Are you aware of another improvement to the formmail that I'm not
getting?

No, that's it. Sorry for the red herring. I thought there was more to
it, but on rereading the docs, it doesn't seem to be able to help you.

--
Brian (remove "invalid" from my address to email me)
http://www.tsmchughs.com/