Build Anticipation with a Countdown Script

By Kidino @ 3 January, 2005

People have been using anticipation quite a lot in 2004.

You see that John Reese and Joe Vitale announces about their products weeks before it launches. And you see on their website a countdown - counting the remaining time to the launch.

And some people want to make sure that people attend teleseminars at the right time - again you see a countdown on the webpage.

It’s cool to have that - right?

Now let me tell you about your options.

1. Java Applet. But some browsers don’t support this. And some (including me) have been facing problems download and installnig the plug-ins. And not to mention that the Java Applet download may be a bit big.
2. Flash. OK, maybe more than 98% of browsers have this installed. It is much more easier to install than Java Virtual Machine, etc … but again, the download may still be huge.
3. Javascript. Javascript is lightweight. You can use Javascript to animate the countdown - but calculating the remaing time … Hmmm … Javascript is a client side scripting. It’s not fair to let people in Sydney sees it’s 1 hours remaining while people in New York have to wait another 17 hours.

That is why I come up with this script. Combining PHP and Javascript, I believe this is the best solution for delivering countdown to your web visitors.

PHP is a server side scripting. PHP will calculate the remaining time on the server. And then it will be delivered as Javascript to the visitors. With this, no matter where you are, you will see the same remaining time to the countdown.

Below is a countdown to my birthday hint. Just an example.

I was born on 30th May - 4.20pm.

You can download the script here. Instructions on how to use the script can be found inside the script itself. Enjoy.

Just one thing though - I wrote this just as long as it works. No advance security coding here.

OK, this is an update on 9 July 2oo5. Recently I did a limited offer using this countdown script. Everything’s automated … and I even went to the beach during that sale.

More info here - http://moneyclicking.net/sale-automation