General
Are there any free ASP affiliate tracking and management programs available?
Can I develop my own affiliate manager?
What permissions does the "IUSR_<MACHINE NAME>" need?
Does CyberStrong eLink require cookies?

Source Code
What is source code?
Do I get the source code with CyberStrong eLink?
Can I see the source code before purchasing?

Free Trial
Is there a free trial?

Integration
How does CyberStrong eLink integrate into my system?
Do I need special software to use CyberStrong eLink?
How do I get my CyberStrong eLink files to my Web site?

Database
How many affiliates can I have in CyberStrong eLink?
What version of Microsoft Access does CyberStrong eLink use?
Does CyberStrong eLink support SQL servers?
I am expecting a lot of users. Do I need a SQL server?
Is there a disadvantage to using a SQL server?
Can I move the database out of the CyberStrong eLink data folder?

Server-Side Issues
Database cannot be opened in mode 'Read'. What does this mean?
Why won't my CyberStrong eLink "lock"?
My host failed the "Write Test", can I still use my CyberStrong eLink?
The CDOSYS test passes, but no email is received. Why?
When I try to run my email list manager I get a request to download. Why?
Is CyberStrong eLink restricted to Windows servers?

Customization
I want to add <feature> to CyberStrong eLink, how hard will that be?
I have questions about how to modify the source code.

Are there any free ASP affiliate tracking and management programs available?
Yes. We started our search for an affiliate manager for our own clients just this way, but soon found disappointment. Generally they lack even the most basic features. In short, you need an accomplished ASP programmer to use any of the free affiliate managers we could find. Be prepared to spend a lot of time getting these programs production ready.

Can I develop my own affiliate manager?
Yes. If you are a programmer and are interested in developing your own affiliate manager there are resources available online.

If you want to get a head start on developing your own affiliate manager, CyberStrong eLink comes with source code and no CyberStrong or third-party DLLs. The code is very well written, well commented, and nicely structured. Our affiliate manager is supplied with a working front end, control panel and database that you can run on any Windows server in minutes. Just install it, run it, then modify it incrementally until you get what you need.

What permissions does the "IUSR_<MACHINE NAME>" need?
"IUSR_<MACHINE NAME>" permissions control access to your Web files by your host's Web server. CyberStrong eLink (and most ASP applications implemented with Microsoft Access backend databases) require the IUSR_<MACHINE NAME> to have modify permissions on the files in your data folder. If you are the host provider and need help setting your permissions, click here for instructions.

Does CyberStrong eLink require cookies?
Yes. CyberStrong eLink uses "per session" cookies. Per session cookies last only for the life of your current browser load and use no permanent storage on your customer's hard drive. The use of per session cookies is very common in modern Web sites. CyberStrong eLink does not create or use permanent cookies.

What is source code?
Source code is the original representation of a computer program. It is written and maintained by computer programmers who receive special training for this purpose.

Although you do not need to be a programmer to install source code on your host you will need some programming skills to modify it.

Do I get the source code with CyberStrong eLink?
CyberStrong eLink is available with source code. Our software is written in Active Server Page VB Script and is well documented and clearly commented.

The product also comes with a MS Access database so that you can run it "out of the box". This allows you to get a good grounding in the code before you change it. You can then modify it incrementally and test your changes. CyberStrong eLink will run on any Windows XP/NT/2000 or later platform where IIS and ASP are supported.

Can I see the source code before purchasing?
Like our competitors we are unable to release source code prior to purchase. You will find our code well written, modular and with lots of comments. Functions are short, to the point, and use long descriptive names. Each function has a brief synopsis above it. We have standardized routines for common tasks such as form button display and processing. We make judicious use of global and session variables. We use only experienced, seasoned programmers.

Is there a free trial?
Yes! We offer a free server check. Please see the Free Server Check page for details. We also provide an online demo of the control panel and user interface. Please see the Online Demo page for details. 

How does CyberStrong eLink integrate into my system?
CyberStrong eLink can easily be embedded into your existing Web site. In addition, the software includes a style sheet with over 50 distinct style definitions to control fonts, colors and sizes. You may display your site logo on all user interface pages, as well as customize your own button graphics. For full details please visit our customization page.

Do I need special software to use CyberStrong eLink?
No! CyberStrong eLink has no client-side requirements.

How do I get my CyberStrong eLink files to my Web site?
There are two methods you can use to get your files to your Web site:

• Unpack the CyberStrong eLink distribution Zip file directly into your working directory on your client machine. Then "publish" your site in the usual way.
• Or, unpack your files directly into a folder on the host server, via FTP.

How many affiliates can I have in my CyberStrong eLink?
The number of affiliates you may have is limited by the number of records a Microsoft Access database can hold, about four billion.

What version of Microsoft Access does CyberStrong eLink use?
CyberStrong eLink ships with Microsoft Access 2000.

You are free to upgrade the database to your version of MS Access if you wish. Remember, however, that not all hosting companies keep their server's driver software current. Check with them before upgrading your database.

Your license agreement contains language regarding modifying your database outside our Web-based screens. Please check your agreement carefully before modifying your database in this way.

Does CyberStrong eLink support SQL servers?
Yes! SQL compatibility has been tested using Microsoft SQL Server Version 7.0, and SQL Server 2000/2005.

I am expecting a lot of users. Do I need a SQL server?
Probably not. Unless you expect unusually high usage, you will most likely not require a SQL server for CyberStrong eLink.

Is there a disadvantage to using a SQL server?
Yes. There are five disadvantages to consider when using SQL server to store your data.

First, depending on your hosting company, it may be difficult or impossible for you to retrieve your data should you chose to move to a different hosting company in the future.

Second, in most virtual hosting arrangements, you will be sharing a SQL server with other Web sites. This means that it is, in theory, possible for another user's software to crash the shared SQL server bringing both his and your sites down. Also, if a server sharing neighbor ties up the shared SQL server with intensive queries, your site's performance will suffer too.

Third, sharing a SQL server on another machine means that for CyberStrong eLink to operate both the computer serving your site and the computer running the SQL server must be up and running. This effectively cuts the uptime of CyberStrong eLink in half.

Fourth, SQL databases are more prone to attack by hackers, and the ensuing damage is generally greater.

Fifth, you are generally at the mercy of your host provider with regard to backups of your data. Check with your host provider to ensure that they are keeping a current backup of your SQL database at all times.

Can I move the database out of the CyberStrong eLink data folder?
Yes. Some host providers require that you keep your database in a special directory. You can customize the location of your database in the $config.asp file in the root folder of your application.

Database cannot be opened in mode 'Read'. What does this mean?
CyberStrong eLink is designed to automatically detect when problems are encountered with its database. The most likely cause of this problem is missing file and/or folder permissions at your host provider. To determine the exact cause of the problem, run the server test utility found in CyberStrong eLink Control Panel.

Why won't my CyberStrong eLink "lock"?
To lock the various modules that your email list manager uses, a file $Locked.txt is created in your CyberStrong eLink data folder. To do this, your data folder must have write and create permissions. While this is normally the case you may have to contact your host provider for assistance.

My host failed the "Write Test", can I still use CyberStrong eLink?
No. Please contact your host provider for assistance.

The CDOSYS test passes, but no email is received. Why?
Passing the CDOSYS test confirms that the Microsoft CDOSYS object has accepted your Web email and passed it on to your SMTP gateway. From its perspective, your email has been sent.

If you are having problems getting email out of your Web site chances are your SMTP server is not correctly configured. Please ask your host provider for assistance.

When I try to run my affiliate manager I get a request to download. Why?
Either your server does not support Active Server Pages, or you do not have "execute" permission on your CyberStrong eLink data folder. To be fully functional your CyberStrong eLink data folder requires modify permissions for the IUSR_<MACHINE NAME>.

Is CyberStrong eLink restricted to Windows servers?
Yes. CyberStrong eLink must be installed on a Windows server. Please review our server-side requirements for details.

I want to add <feature> to CyberStrong eLink, how hard will that be?
While you will find our code well written, modular, and sprinkled with lots of comments, your ability to modify it to your specific requirements depends in greatest part on your own skill as an ASP programmer.

Please note that our license agreement contains specific language regarding the modification of our source code.

I have questions about how to modify the source code.
Please note that modification of our source code or database voids, and therefore is not included in, your free technical support. See our license agreement for specific language regarding the modification of our source code.