Here's the scoop: I get an Internal Server Error #500 when I try to run it. I got the hello.pl and hello.cgi scripts to both run, but the test won't even run. When I ran the file through a script checker (provided by AITcom) I was rewarded with the following:

TEST 4: perl syntax
Can't locate strict.pm in @INC (@INC contains: /usr/lib/perl5/i686-linux/5.00404 /usr/lib/perl5 /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/i686-linux /usr/lib/perl5/site_perl .) at ubb6_test.cgi line 55.
BEGIN failed--compilation aborted at ubb6_test.cgi line 55.

I have an extremely limited knowledge of CGI, and this is my first venture using a lot of it, so any help would be very much appreciated!

BTW, the script is stored here: http://www.bettendorfstanford.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ubb6_test.cgi

The error indicates the program cannot find strict.pm. That is a module that is normally installed with Perl. Ask your host if there is a problem with the strict.pm module and check to be sure you are using the correct Perl path in the top line of your cgi scripts.

Alright, will do. I'm sure the path is correct, I checked and checked again, but the strict.pm problem might be it. I'll check on that. Where, exactly, should that file be located? In the same path as perl?

It should be loaded wherever Perl is on your server, check with your web host.

Alright, I think I might have a revelation... In the error message it says it looks in those different places for the strict.pm script, but the script is in the following location: /usr/lib/perl5/5.00502

That said, does this mean that I need to have the script moved, because it's apparently not looking there for it... I'm told that this is a slightly unorthodox server setup, too, to have the perl directories laid out like that. Any suggestions?

Since ubb 6.X has strict off in the main ubb files, why not block it on the test script too?

The error you are getting is quite conventional as many hosts have the libraries laid out that way even if the perl executable is differently named. You will make better progress by discussing this with your host as we have no way of knowing how your server is set up. There is a program you can run that will tell you what modules are installed. Click here to download Perl Diver. Extract perldiver.cgi and upload it in ascii to your cgi directory. Set the permissions to 755 and run it from your browser. At the bottom of the screen will be a listing of perl modules. It is case sensitive. Look in the last column near the bottom for 'strict'. If it is not there, it is not installed. If it is there, you will still have to discuss with your host to see where your files should be located.

Added after above: You may be able to run the UBB scripts without strict, but it is a good idea to check your permissions with the test script if you can - especially if you are new to the game. Also, if strict is not installed, the Perl installation may be faulty in other ways.

Excellent. Thanks for the help, everyone. You all seem to really know what you're doing. I'll do all that and report back.

Uh oh...Well, first of all, I will say that I'm going to have a good, long talk with my host, and see what's going on with them. I am unable to run the perldiver.cgi script, and when I checked it, it returned the same error as the ubb6_test.cgi script did. I take it that means that my host just does not have everything straight then?

I believe you are on aitcom.net which has a pretty decent reputation. Be sure you have carefully reviewed any documentation they supplied on location and configuration of files. Some servers have very specific requirements which we might not be aware of.

Your perl path at the top of the script should be #!/usr/bin/perl or #!/bin/perl