Merry Christmas All!

Sorry if this is the wrong list.  I'm new to Perl, CGI, and web service
providers so I'm not sure if this is the right list to post my question to.
If it's not will someone let me know where I should post to get an answer
and I'll send it there.

I wrote a Perl script using Perl 5.6.1 and it didn't work with my web host
provider.  It worked fine on my machine with that version of Perl and Apache
1.3.  It turns out my web service provider is using Perl 5.005_03. I think
the problem revolves around Exporter::Heavy.pm   The full error message
along with help desk correspondence is listed below.

Before I go off the deep end and shop around for another web service
provider I'd like to know if I'm being unreasonable or if my analyisis of
the problem is wrong.    I feel as if I'm getting a run-around here.  I've
asked them to upgrade their version of Perl to 5.6.1 as I think that will
eliminate the problem or to install Exporter::Heavy.pm for 5.005_03 on their
servers.  Both can be downloaded from www.cpan.org I realize that may be a
daunting task but isn't Perl downloaded from CPAN safe enough to be used on
production servers?  How about the Exporter module; isn't that safe?  Is
Perl 5.6.1 backward compatible with 5.0005_03?  What is a reasonable period
of time to do a full hacker/security etc check on a Perl upgrade?

Should I start shopping for a new web service provider?  How much time
should I give them?  Am I all wet?  I don't like being a newbie :-))

My script is a simple guest book script that writes to a file and reads from
a file.  This does work using Perl 5.6.1 and Apache 1.3.  Here's my script:
****************************************************************************
******************************

#!f:/Web_Stuff/bin/perl -w  For Win2000
#!/usr/bin/perl             For web service provider

#!/usr/local/bin/perl -w    I use Linux also


#set up the CGI module
use CGI qw(:all);
use strict;
print header;

#declare variables
my $query = CGI::new();
my $first = $query->param("first");
my $lastname = $query->param("last");
my $email = $query->param("email");
my $email2 = $query->param("email2");
my $comments = $query->param("comments");
..
..
..

#more script follows.  If you'd like to see all of it let me know and I'll
send it to you.
..
..
..
..
****************************************************************************
*******
End of script.

Here's the history of the helpdesk correspondence with my web service
provider:
****************************************************************************
********
Hello!

I've written a Perl script called final.pl and all I get is this error
message:

[Sun Dec 9 11:20:22 2001] [error] Can't locate Exporter/Heavy.pm in @INC
(@INC contains: /usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005//i386-linux
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005/
/usr/lib/perl5/5.6.0/i386-linux /usr/lib/perl5/5.6.0
/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.6.0/i386-linux /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.6.0
/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl . /usr/local/plesk/apache/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl /usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005/) at
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503//Exporter.pm line 15.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005//i386-linux/Apache/Registry
..pm line 4.
Compilation failed in require at (eval 30) line 3.

[Sun Dec 9 11:20:22 2001] [error] Undefined subroutine
&Apache::Registry::handler called.

****************************************************************************
**********
Response #1:
******************************
Hello Eric,

The reason your script is not working is becuse it is trying to use a perl
mod that we do not have. If you would like to give us the name of it we will
install it for you.

Thank you for choosing Featureprice.com !
******************************************
My response:
*****************************************
Brad,

The only module I can think of is the CGI module. Perhaps mod_perl in
Apache?
The script runs ok on my Apache server that I have set up as a local host.
Below is the only module stuff that I know of. If you want me to put the
entire script in here I can do that also.

Eric

#set up the CGI module
use CGI qw(:all);
use strict;
print header;

#declare variables
my $query = CGI::new();
my $first = $query->param("first");
my $lastname = $query->param("last");
my $email = $query->param("email");
my $email2 = $query->param("email2");
my $comments = $query->param("comments");
****************************************************************
Their response #2:
*******************************
Hello Eric,

Unfortunatly we do not have the specified module installed on our servers.
If you would like this module installed please submit a helpdesk ticket with
information pertaining to the module.(ie. where to locate it, what it does)
Once you have submitted the ticket, our network system administrator will
review the module to see if it poses a security risk or not. If you have any
further problems or questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Thanks =)
********************************
My response:
******************************
Ok, Let's try this.

The only module I'm aware of that I'm using is CGI. So can you add that with
'all' and the new() function/module that comes with it?

use CGI qw(:all);
use strict;
print header;

#declare variables
my $query = CGI::new();

Eric
**************************
Their response #3:
****************************
Hello Eric,

The CGI module is installed. However I'm not sure about the use of the
following :

my $query = CGI::new();

If you could provide us with the URL to which we could download the
appropriate module we would be more than happy to install it for you. If you
have any further problems or questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Thanks =)
**************************
My response:
***************************
Below is the error message from the Apache error log. According to your
manual you're using Perl 5.005_03. I don't understand the part of the error
message that says Perl 5.6.0 since there aren't any distros found when I
search CPAN for 5.6.0. I'm running Perl 5.6.1.

My @INC refers to a subdirectory that contains a subdirectory called
Exporter that contains a file called Heavy.pm. Do you have Heavy.pm? I don't
know if it comes with 5.005_03 or if you have to add it.

All of the searches I've done on www.CPAN.org using Heavy point to Perl
5.6.1+. When I search using Exporter I do see references to the distro you
are using. It's near the bottom of the page.

So it's my guess that you need to add the Exporter to your distro??

Eric

[Mon Dec 10 14:29:51 2001] [error] Can't locate Exporter/Heavy.pm in @INC
(@INC contains: /usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005//i386-linux
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005/
/usr/lib/perl5/5.6.0/i386-linux /usr/lib/perl5/5.6.0
/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.6.0/i386-linux /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/5.6.0
/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl . /usr/local/plesk/apache/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl /usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503/
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005/) at
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/5.00503//Exporter.pm line 15.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at
/usr/local/plesk/apache/lib/perl/site_perl/5.005//i386-linux/Apache/Registry
..pm line 4.
Compilation failed in require at (eval 40) line 3.

[Mon Dec 10 14:29:51 2001] [error] Undefined subroutine
&Apache::Registry::handler called.
******************************
Their response #4:
*********************************
Hello Eric,

If you would like this installed, please submit a ticket with all pertaining
information to the module. (ie. where to locate it and what it does) Once
you have submitted the ticket we will then in turn give the information to
our network system administrator for approval. If you have any further
problems or questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Thanks =)
*******************************
My response:
******************************
Josh,

This is getting frustrating. I don't know what Exporter/Heavy.pm does
anymore than I know the inner workings of Perl. It's part of the Perl 5.6.1+
distribution. In my prior message tickets I indicated where you could find
more information on Exporter/Heavy.pm. It's available on the www.cpan.org
website which is a repository for Perl program modules and stuff.

Perhaps we could solve this problem another way. Do you plan on upgrading to
Perl 5.6.1 or higher. Once that is done you'll have Exporter/Heavy.pm.

Eric
******************************
Their response #5:
********************************
Hello Eric,

In order to consider installing Exporter/Heavy.pm, we require a direct link
to the module itself, and a direct link to it's official documentation.
After review the admin will decide whether to install the module or not.
Thank you for your patience in this matter.
***********************************
My response:  (I'm starting to lose it here)
*************************************
I'm about to start hunting for a more resonsive web service provider. I'm
beginning to feel as if I have to do your homework for you to stay
relatively current in Perl. Do your people stay current in their field? If
so they'd be staying abreast on CPAN. And, you haven't answered all of my
questions.

Please answer this question. Do you plan on upgrading to Perl 5.6.1 or
5.7.2? If so when?

Eric
********************************************
Their response #6:
****************************************
Hello Eric,

I have informed are System administrator about your wish. He will look into
the new version of perl. If it has no bugs in it that could affect the many
other clients on your server he will do it.

Thank You for choosing Featureprice.com !
****************************************

I then asked how long it would take them to do the upgrade or install
Exporter::Heavy.pm

************************
Their response #7:
Hello Eric,

We currently have over 200 servers. I have informed the system administrator
about your request. As soon as he gets it done he will send you a email
notification. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact
us.

Thank you for choosing Featureprice.com !
*******************************

What should I do?  Wait or find another web service provider?


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