As I have said previously, communication with your readers is essential to web site survival.  One of the best ways to communicate with them is through forms.  Microsoft defines forms like this: " A set of data-entry fields on a page that are processed on a Web server. The data is sent to the server when a site visitor submits the form by clicking on a button or, in some cases, by clicking a graphic."   In people talk, that means that your readers fill in information that is then sent to you.  This can be invaluable -- it lets you get into the mind of the reader and listen to them tell you what they like, what they don't like and what they want.

To create a form, just place your cursor where you want to insert it and then go to Insert ->Form->Form.  This will create a basic shell of a form for you.  Then, you'll want to add a basic form element to enable you to gather information from your clients.  FrontPage 2000 lists 8 of them that you may be interested in.

1. One Line Text Box - Allows user to type in a single line of text.
2. Scrolling Text Box - Allows multiple lines of text.
3. Check Box - Represents individual or group items that are not mutually exclusive. E.g. Hobbies, types of programs.
4. Radio Button - Represents items in a group that are mutually exclusive. E.g.. Gender, Yes/No.
5. Drop Down Box - Enables users to choose from a list of items.
6. Button - Can be used to submit or clear data in a text box.
7. Picture - Allows you to change a standard form button to a graphic.
8. Label - Adds a form title to your web page

and there is a ninth:

9. Hidden Information - allows you to gather information about your readers without them disclosing it to you.

To Gather Hidden Information:
     In order to gather extra information about your readers, you need to right click on your form and select form properties.  Click the options tab and then the saved fields tab.  You now have a chance to collect the following:

• Date - select a date format to record the date the form was submitted.
• Time - select a format of the time that the form was submitted.
• Browser Computer Name - check this box to find out what kind of browser the user is using.
• Remote Computer Name - Displays the remote computer name of the person submitting.
• Username - Records the user ID of the submitter.

To Select Where You Want the Results To Go:
     Right click on the form again and once again select form properties.  Hit the options button and then either the "form results" or "email results" tab.  By choosing one these, you can tell the web page where to send the results and what form the results should be in.

To Use an Image Rather than a standard form button:
     If you don't like the reset button, go ahead and select it and delete it, it is not necessary.  If you want to replace one of those nasty standard buttons with your own beautiful one, left click on that button once to select it.  Then go to Insert->Form->Picture and select the image file you want to replace the button with.  Voila, your button has gone from gray to turquoise.

Remember:
     Don't be intimidated by forms.  Experiment with them and find out which ones your site is calling for.  They are a great tool for guiding you and your site to greater popularity and understanding of your readers.

Don't forget to check out the other FrontPage sections here at Compuhound. FrontPage Main Page and the FrontPage glossary.