Construct POST data and send it to an external page Is there any way to construct post data and send it to an external URL, like how a form will send POST data to action URL? 

I am aware of drupal_goto() function, but it is not possible to send POST data using it. I am also aware of drupal_http_request(), but I do not want a response from the URL here. I just want to submit data to the URL from my custom module. How can I achieve this? Any help is appreciated.
This is a PHP question, really. But here's an answer: http://wezfurlong.org/blog/2006/nov/http-post-from-php-without-curl/

Many many caveats; read the comments.