On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 11:40:43AM +0200, Etaoin Shrdlu wrote:
> On Wednesday 29 October 2008, 09:06, Alan McKinnon wrote:
> 
> > > you can't use winblows extorter to drop files onto an ftp server?  I
> > > would have thought that was, er, basic functionality...
> >
> > Yeah, that's what I thought too. The GF suspected otherwise for IE7
> > and confirmed it by asking that nice Mr Google person
> 
> Ok, that's OT, but it's not that difficult. They just moved the ftp 
> functionality from Internet explorer to Windows explorer (yes, many 
> people are not even aware of the difference). When you open a FTP site 
> with ie7, it just shows you a basic interface with hyperlinks but no 
> ability to copy/paste or drag/drop stuff (just like basic FF). But, 
> there is a line at top of the page that clearly says:
> 
> "To view this FTP site in Windows Explorer, click Page, and then click 
> Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer."
> 
> Just do what it says, and you have the (cough) good old interface where 
> you can do drag/drop etc.

Hmmm... This is good news. Has anyone experience with Safari/Opera
behavior?

> 
> I'm however all for using FF with a suitable plugin to do ftp. However, 
> for basic users, I fear that even a clean interface like that provided 
> by fireftp might look too complicated (sigh).
> 

I agree... People tend to feel confortable using web-based wizards.

> To the OP: have you considered creating a very simple php interface to 
> upload files, like eg
> 
> http://www.w3schools.com/PHP/php_file_upload.asp
> 
> (but there are dozen of other example on the web)
> 

Yes, but this is not an option. If I don't find a full featured (and
secure) webabb that takes care of user registration, permissions, etc., 
I'm gonna force users to the use the ftp.

I was thinking at such a layout:

ROOT:
	/	
		world readable, admins writable

USER FOLDERS:
	/username/
		registered user readable, owner writable

PRIVATE USERS FOLDER (for drafts and personal stuff)
	/username/private/
		owner readable, owner writable

I think it's gonna be pretty easy to setup such a layout using vsftpd or
proftpd.

Suggestions are welcome.