[thelist] How do I automate the filling in of a Web page/form?

[Hugh Blair]

Hi all,

I need to automate the filling in of a few web pages 
with many input fields.  The owner of the web page will 
not be a part of the process.

1. I have the data in an XML file residing on the user's 
local HD.  The local application that creates this file 
could be changed but getting the writer to make those 
changes would be painful, something I'd like to avoid.

2. There is a need to 'process' many of these XML files 
over the course of a day.  Automating this as much as 
possible is the goal.

3. The purpose of this is get the data into this 3 page 
web site without having the user enter the data the second 
time, after entering it in this other local app.

4. I have to trap errors pushed back by the web page if
any of the inputs are invalid. I don't need to make 
corrections, just inform the user that their entry failed
with what error.

Geesh, any ideas?  Oh, this app is running on a Windows
(95/98/NT/2k) workstation with Internet access, could be
dial-up or broadband.  

Please pass any help/suggestions/tips to me directly 
instead of the list if you think this isn't a proper
[thelist] issue.

Thanks bunches in advance,

-Hugh
hblair at bigfoot.com