how do i make the contact module work?

ok so i have inserted an entry for a contact form in my publication, but
i cannot get it to send as i have no idea how to set the varible
[sender] to spec ify where its going. also, when fields are filled in, i
get an error that contains:


<!--The parameter [sender] must not be null!
org.apache.cocoon.ProcessingException: Sitemap: error calling
continuation


<!--No transition found for event [checkPreconditions] in state
[execChecked]!org.apache.cocoon.ProcessingException: Sitemap: error
calling continuation

I am finding this extremly frustrating as something as simple as a
contact us form (which is a doddle in html/php) seems to be really
difficult to implement. 

thanks

nick



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