Using scripts may take a fair bit of getting your head round but they can add a lot of interactivity to your site such as discussion forums, chat rooms, guest book, quizzes, mailing lists, drop down menus etc 

Common scripts include Java, Javascript and Perl or CGI. You can get a lot of off the peg scripts which just need a little bit of adjusting for your site. Java I believe is difficult to learn. Javascripts can often be copy and pasted into your web site. "Rollovers" - the way in which menu items change colour often use Javascript. 

CGI scripts do need to be modified for your site and you may need some support to get them working. So check first if there is support available. CGI scripts need you to have access to a CGI Bin. Not all ISPs give you this and you will need to ask your ISP if you have this. I use Cheapnet which includes access to a CGI Bin in the price.

Here are sources of scripts some of which I have used:

Scripts for Educators - Kristina Plaff-Harris's excellent site. Kristina has a quiz, chat room, web page counter, email form, instant web page generator, mailing list manager, guest book, cross word puzzle maker, site search etc etc. I have used the Chat Room and Mailing List Manager on this site. Added to this is the excellent support that Kristina gives you as well as updates. I am grateful to Kristina for the support she has given me in the development of this site.

http://www.bignosebird.com/

Web Scripts - I used a script on Darryl Burgorf 's site (Web BBS) to build a discussion forum for Solicitors for the Elderly and for the Discussion Forum here. I got excellent support for this through their support forum. There are the following scripts available: web logs, bulletin board, calendar, web adverts, hint of the day, story generator and web tester.

HotScripts.com - numerous scripts including access to 122 web sites with Perl Scripts

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