Want to make private upload directory

@CarolWDec 12.2005

Hi All,

As usual, I want stuff well beyond the level of my current (half-) competence; namely, I want to put a private upload directory on my site, to receive files from friends who would rather upload than send by email (more convenient for me, too, since I’m on dial-up only).

So how could I set this up?

I already made a directory, under my /www directory, and called it upload. I’ll put a default.htm file there which will send the browser to my home page. That, I think, will take care of browsers exploring any subdirectories under /www, unless they have the URL for the upload driectory – or – am I on the wrong track with this?

I guess I also need a login of some sort – would that be an .ht[password] file or something like that? Where a visitor (legitimate uploader) would enter a username and a password, and then be permitted to upload?

Can somebody sketch out examples of how I could do this?

Thanks a million in advance!

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 20:23:23

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8 Comments(s) _↴

@KravvitzDec 12.2005 — #I thought default.htm was a IIS thing... .htpassword and .htaccess are Apache things...

There are so many variables....

You wouldn't know the answer to this, but you'll need to infd out how the FTP is set up as to whether or not you can allow other people to upload files via FTP to your site.

You may need to use a server-side language to process file uploads.

@CarolWauthorDec 12.2005 — #Hi Kravvitz,

Hey, thanks for jumping in! I begin to see even more how disoriented I am.

I thought default.htm was a IIS thing... .htpassword and .htaccess are Apache things...

There are so many variables....

You wouldn't know the answer to this, but you'll need to infd out how the FTP is set up as to whether or not you can allow other people to upload files via FTP to your site.

You may need to use a server-side language to process file uploads.[/QUOTE]

Let's see, I wasn't even thinking "FTP," though gosh; that would be a great way to let people upload - seems to me very efficient. I get very confused about meanings. For instance, I was thinking, maybe, in terms of the old BBS stuff - pwople could upload files in some way, right? Not using programs like FTP, I think?

Or, I was thinking about the way people upload files to a Yahoo Group or something like that. I suddenly realize I have no idea how that kind of uploading works! I guess, via a browser. Would that be some kind of http protocol, or something? (Do my questions even make any sense?)

If I had a webmaster other than myself, I'd probably say so to Islandnet, and then allow that person to log in as me - something like that - and FTP files. I only learned how to FTP very recently - maybe July or so past.

What I'm thinking of would have quite limited use - an occasional uploading of a file intended for me personally, usually, something somebody wants me to fix, such as a configuration file for Eudora - or perhaps a few photographs, or some sort of .ZIP file.

I don't know what else to say! Thanks for your help - despite my confusion, it *is* helpful - helps me realize how much I don't know, and that's always a really useful start.

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 22:32:15

@KravvitzDec 12.2005 — #Sounds like a server-side language upload handler would work fine for you.

What server-side languages are installed on your server? PHP? ASP?

@chrisranjanaDec 12.2005 — #These scripts must get you started

http://www.freeaspupload.net/ (asp)

and a tutorial for creating a multi file upload script using php

http://www.devarticles.com/c/a/PHP/Creating-a-MultiFile-Upload-Script-in-PHP/

@CarolWauthorDec 12.2005 — #Sounds like a server-side language upload handler would work fine for you.

What server-side languages are installed on your server? PHP? ASP?[/QUOTE]

Aha; you're beginning to help me orient a bit! My web host uses Apache server, and PHP v. 4.4.1

I'm wondering just how simple I can keep this. For downloading, I merely upload the file I want to make available, to a subdirectory off my /www directory - you said something about IIS - I don't know what that is!

I merely email the URL for the specific file to any potential recipient, and the recipient can click on that, and is prompted to download the specific file; doesn't have any access into my site otherwise - norhing shows in the browser's address bar. The default.htm merely refreshes the browser window (if I have that terminology right), sending the browser back to my site's home page. Of course, I learned this stuff here.

I was hoping there was something almost as simple for private uploads, but I guess not - I guess I'll need a page or two, with a script in the page - hey, I see another reply. Between all of you helping, surely I'll get something working.

Thanks, Kravvitz!

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 06:08:44

@CarolWauthorDec 12.2005 — #Dear chrisranjana,

These scripts must get you started

http://www.freeaspupload.net/ (asp)

and a tutorial for creating a multi file upload script using php

http://www.devarticles.com/c/a/PHP/Creating-a-MultiFile-Upload-Script-in-PHP/[/QUOTE]

Aha; more to help me both understand better, and get started on this; I think it will be a time-consuming project for me, but I'll learn a lot!

I investigated the FreeAsp, and test-uploaded a file - great stuff! Fast! It seems that is for a Windows server, but my web host is running Apache and PHP 4.4.1

So then I went to the second URL you posted - had to probe around a bit,and found the tutorial. So I bookmarked it, and will start there next time I have some time to continue this study.

Meantime, I learned that IIS apparently applies to a Windows server (gotta say, I'm glad my web host runs Apache and PHP, haha), and also, I'm beginning to get an idea about making an upload page for my site. In the end, if the PHP script doesn't do it, I might try to link to my web host's Mail-It gadget, in which I get sent email with details of somebody's posting-something. (As I've done in my guestbook entries, to catch robot spammers and exclude them.)

http://helpdesk.islandnet.com/help/mailit.php

Between all the helpers here, I know eventually I'll be a half-competent webmaster for my own site, whew!

Thanks a lot!

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 06:46:54

@KravvitzDec 12.2005 — #You're welcome ?

IIS is short for "Internet Information Server". It's Microsoft's web server. In general Apache is a much better server.

P.S. Why are you placing a time-date stamp at the bottom of your posts? If you look at the top of the posts, you'll see that the forum system keeps track of that.

@CarolWauthorDec 13.2005 — #You're welcome ?

IIS is short for "Internet Information Server". It's Microsoft's web server. In general Apache is a much better server.

P.S. Why are you placing a time-date stamp at the bottom of your posts? If you look at the top of the posts, you'll see that the forum system keeps track of that.[/QUOTE]

Apache does seem to be a very fine server. I have delays in following up on this; I think I'll need to consult my ISP people about an upload-handler, because although I can't find explanations in their documentation that I can understand (typical problem for me), they have a few web gadgets that might help. I'll try Google and W3C, too. I will surely need to learn how to write an .ht(password?) file - what is that thing called? - and put it in the upload directory.

I guess not too many people just accept uploads on their sites, and I wouldn't , either, without putting very careful limitations on doing that.

I'm delayed because my two guestbooks are again getting swamped by spammers, and I can only catch them after-the-fact, to disallow them access. This particular spammer comes in as "[email protected]" - I'm curious whether others are having similar expereinces; it seems some others who use Islandnet as a web host are having guestbook troubles.

Sorry to go off-topic - Mon, 12 Dec 2005 22:26:03 - time-stamp off-topic too - helps me in searches! that's why I use it.

I'll report back if I have any success with putting together a safe private upload directory. Thanks!