[K12OSN] launch an application via php script?

[Debbie Schiel]

Hi, This is for the PHP gurus...

Is there a way to launch an application (eg: 'gimp') via a php script?

I'm thinking of an intranet page for Preppies (kindergarten) with icons 
linked to flash games on external sites but also icons linked to 
internal applications. So I would need something like:

<a href="go.php?launch=myapp">TUX PAINT ICON</a>

and then

<? if ($launch==myapp) {
			some php script here...
		}
?>

I've tried exec() and shell_exec() without success.
Any ideas?

Thanks,

Debbie

ps - is this considered 'off topic'?

-- 
http://www.redeemer.qld.edu.au/