* Gossamer Threads Perl scripts for link management
When you have a large collection of links to manage – for example, a directory such as Yahoo – you need something to keep them organized. Before you say, “Oh, that would be an easy script to write,” check out Gossamer Threads (see editorial links below).
Gossamer Threads offers two Perl scripts for link management, which automates adding, editing, deleting and testing of collections of links. If you were to solve this problem yourself the solution would be a non-trivial piece of coding – the cost of few days of programming would be higher than buying a solution.
The two scripts, Links v2.0 and Links SQL, differ in two important aspects: Links v2.0 is intended solely for links management and uses flat file data storage, while Links SQL is capable of managing image galleries, press releases, yellow pages, company directories or any other categorized database, and relies on a SQL server for data management.
Links v2.0 is platform independent and out of the box will run on Unix, Windows NT and Macintosh systems – basically any platform that supports Perl 5.004 or better.
The requirements for Links SQL are more complex: Perl 5.004 or better; Perl database modules (DBI and the appropriate DBD module for your database); and a database server (MySQL 3.22+ is recommended, but Postgres, Oracle and MS SQL servers will also work). Links SQL runs on Windows and Linux.
Both scripts support listing the links collection along with adding, deleting, modifying, validating, categorizing and duplicate detection. Links can be added by authorized user,s and you can selectively search for and bulk e-mail link owners using templates to inform them of how often their links were clicked on, for example.
Links SQL templates can incorporate PHP and template use can be dependent on the referrer, allowing referrer-specific branding. Links SQL also supports a plug-in interface so you can add custom code without changing any core program files. A number of free plug-ins contributed by Gossamer and users are available along with for-fee plug-ins for banner management and Web spidering.
Links v2.0 is published as shareware and costs $150, while Links SQL is published under a standard license and costs $450 with free installation if required. Both products are available for free evaluation.
