I need to set up a web page where people can download files (word, excel, etc…) from my web server but I don’t know how to set it up. Are there any web programmers that could help me?
The concept of linking web pages or simple downloading of files from a web page is exactly the same.
- Upload your files to the server.
- Create a web page with links to the files.
- Upload that web page.
- Test
- Done!
Any of the Dummies books about setting up a web page / web site should be able to help.
Also, any of the instruction web sites can help as well.
I have tried this many times before. I hyperlink to a file on my server, test the page, click the link, cross fingers, but the file just opens up inside the browser. I need more than this. I need a command box that asks me where I want to save the file on my computer. I want to see download progress. I want to be able to go on my computer to the file that I have just downloaded, double click it, let it open up in the actual program that it is suppose to run within, and modify from there.
Most browsers allow you to choose to save the link instead of displaying it in the browser. Try right clicking the link and see what options you have.
You might be able to force the browser to download by default with some wacky JavaScript, but don’t go to that much trouble. The browser user can choose whether he wants to open the file then and there, or save it. Usually you can right click the link and see that option. Sometimes you can shift-click it.
If you’re using IIS (Microsoft’s web server), just put the files in a single folder, and enable directory browsing for that folder. IIS will do the rest.
Ah, so you can create a web page with download links, but the real problem is those downloaded files are actulally downloading and opening up in the appropriate application, eh?
Can we say “Bill Gates” boys and girls?
Seriously, a quick and dirty method is to zip the files before uploading to the server. This should force the download, unless you have your zip extraction tool integrated as well.
Forget the wacky JavaScript stuff. No point in creating a user dependency.
As suggested, right-click on the link to force the download. Using a non-Bill Gates browser should also help here, too.
By all means, force all the people who use your website to abandon IE and download an unfamiliar browser just so they can access your content, and you can feel superior. That will make your site very popular. :rolleyes:
Dude, he said “should also help here, too.” Chill out. Especially if it’s true.
Another simple way is to give the files wacky extensions. For example, all .XLS files become .YMT files. The only problem is the users have to rename the files after downloading.
Check to make sure your hosting provider hasn’t tried to “protect” you by trying to preventing file downloads.
My point was IE integrates so tightly with other MS software that downloading/opening a document is what it is supposed to do. You can break the tight integration on your own system by not using IE.
My apologies if I was unclear.
The design of a web site should be according to web standards and not a particular browser, regardless of its market share. If a site is constructed according to web standards and the problem persits, the problem is with the tight browser integration and not the web site.
Oftentimes I just put a note on the same page as the download links for users to either right-click on the file (PC) or Apple+click (Mac) and choose “Save File As” to save the file.
You never know, some folks might want the excel file to open in their browser, saving them the time it takes to download it. They might want to skim it first.
Also I know tons of folks who don’t get the whole “save to disk” thing 
They NEVER know where they saved it to!
Unfortunately, ZipperJJ is right. I have fought with this issue for many, many years, and whatever method you choose, people will end up confused. Sadly, a great many internet users have no clue how basic file systems work.
I second the user education route. Put a note telling them how to right click, and give them the choice of how they want to proceed.
You’re still downloading it at the same rate and it will take the same length of time no matter how you do it - right click or left click (or whatever Mac users do).
By “the time it takes to download it” I was referring to folks taking time to save it then find it and open it. Or rather saving it then losing it then saving it again and IM’ing me and asking me where they saved it to
To download a file in Netscape, you must hold ‘shift’ when you click on a file link, this way you get a download window. try it.
[nitpick]
i agree code should be browser indepedent but still, all the users? thats incorrect.most of the users maybe, bit all the users is incorrect.
[/nitpick]
ricght click on a link and clicking “Save Link Target As” also works.