What is the best way to have the server run a script that might tie up a client machine?

1. It is a manual script not to be scheduled. (in this case after an import)

2. I would like the user to be able to active from within client. (avoid opening the admin console)

3. Can it be done without creating a schedule item in the console.

As far as I know it cannot be done without creating a schedule item. However you can have the scheduled script look for a field value set by a client so that if the flag field is empty the script merely exits.

two years later. Is this still the case??

You can invoke a server side script via the custom web publishing engine.

 

The XML web publishing will definitely accept a http URL to invoke a script, and with a parameter. Don't see why the PHP web publishing won't do the same.

 

You need FM Server Advanced - this has been the case for at least 2 years.

Yep, that's the way to go.  Keep i mind that this limits the script to "web compatible" script steps, not "server compatible" script steps.  There are definite differences.

Oh, and you do not need server advanced if you do it through the XML api...

Here's a little write-up of the process:

 

http://wingforward.net/triggering-a-server-side-script-1