How you allow client file uploads

DSCalef wrote on 8/11/2010, 11:32 AM

I just had an instance where a person wanted to upload a video file to me for editing. I normally use FTP all the time. Some of you may have found an easier way for an occasional customer with little computer knowledge to upload to your server.

While I do some web page programming using Microsoft Expression 3.0, I am not knowledgable enough to write web page code to do this like YouTube and others do. Suggestions? Code snippets?

David

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 8/11/2010, 12:19 PM

Unless you've got your own server with oodles of space, it's not a practical method.
If you've got a space allocation from your ISP, it is going to be used up very quickly.

There are upload/storage services available at low cost. Several here use MediaFire.

DSCalef wrote on 8/11/2010, 12:29 PM

I have my own server farm with "oodles" of space.

This is also for use only occasionally by customer who needs to upload a file to me. Normally my regular customers and I use FTP accounts on my servers to pass files back and forth.

David

MUTTLEY wrote on 8/11/2010, 12:31 PM

I used to do that but have now switched to Dropbox. I started with the basic free service but have since opted for a Pro account. Its simple, it's easy, clients haven't had issues and I love that if a client uploads something to a folder I've created for them it automatically dowloads to my local machine. 50 gigs of space is enough for me to juggle around files between myself and clients and/or others that are working on a project with me. It's also come in real handy for me to get stuff from my desktop to my laptop and even to my cell phone as there is an app for that. By comparison it's not the cheapest solution but I use it enough that it's worth it and for many the free account may be enough to get them by.

- Ray
Underground Planet

musicvid10 wrote on 8/11/2010, 12:34 PM

I would look for something written in Ajax. It's incredibly simple to understand and embed in web pages. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.

DSCalef wrote on 8/11/2010, 12:49 PM

Thanks everyone.

The HTML code for uploading to my web servers appears to be quite simple. And, on a hidden page, possibly with a login, I suspect this will be more than sufficient for my needs. I can always delete the hidden page if it becomes a problem with mu occasional usage.

In brief the HTML code (Sample only) that I have yet to implement is:
<FORM ENCTYPE="multipart/form-data" ACTION="_URL_" METHOD=POST>
File to process: <INPUT NAME="userfile1" TYPE="file">
<INPUT TYPE="submit" VALUE="Send File">
</FORM>

Again, thanks for the suggestions that I shall keep on file.

David

musicvid10 wrote on 8/11/2010, 1:47 PM

A login with individual passwords would seem to be a prerequisite. Bots aren't very obedient. I understand that "private" folders are easily breached.

Chienworks wrote on 8/11/2010, 2:27 PM

All that form does is create a selection box for the user to choose which file to upload. In order for the upload to occur, the ACTION value must point to an actual URL on your server, and that URL must resolve to a program that can receive the upload. "_URL_" isn't going to do anything.

richard-courtney wrote on 8/11/2010, 5:48 PM

I use a neat Gizmo called a Hitachi SimpleNET
and a 16Geg USB memory stick.

Customer FTP's file.