Looking for a web script....

[bluemicrobyte]

So I've just spent about two hours looking for a drag-and-drop upload script with a progress bar.

I found scripts like Rad Uploader (http://www.radinks.com/upload/) and ThinFilePutter (http://upload.thinfile.com/put/) both of which seem to be EXACTLY what I want except that they're not free scripts. Rad Uploader offers a lite version of the script, but the file size is limited to 512 KB which doesn't help me much since I plan to use this script to upload very large files.

So basically, I'm looking for a pre-made script in any language that allows for unlimited file size uploads with a progress bar, and preferably the ability to drag and drop files into the upload window. Anyone happen to know where I might find such a script? (free, of course)

PS: It can't use the POST method to upload files since that's limited in php.ini or something like that, and has proven to be an unreliable way to upload files in the past (for me at least)

[raylu]

Is this only for you or for other users of your site?

Because I was about to suggest an FTP client.

[bluemicrobyte]

FTP works for most situations, but the purpose of this script is to make an easy and convenient way to get any files transfered to any other computer as needed -- sort of like a massive online USB flash drive. It would be so easy as to open a web browser then drag your file into the window and not have to worry about setting anything up or configuring a client. This uploader could be used for saving/transfering files when you're away from home and don't have access to a flash drive or other form of file transfer. For me, I use FTP when I'm at home but when I find myself on another computer with a 50 MB file that needs to be brought home and I don't have time to get an FTP client set up, it would be nice to have a quick and easy way to get files home.

So I'm not sure who I'm going to make this available to yet, but the purpose of this uploader is to make something highly portable and extremely convenient -- like a web page where you can drag and drop files to store them.

[TheBB]

If you know some Java you can write one yourself. A friend of mine wrote an image uploader for a web gallery as part of a larger project of ours a year ago... I got the code here if you want to see. It uses POST but PUT can't be much different... it's all part of HTTP anyways. I guess you could even write a decent FTP client too.

[bluemicrobyte]

Hmmm, I could look at it, but I don't know any java or javascript at all which is why I'm looking for a premade uploader.

[TimP]

As far as I know, by the nature of a POST, there's no way to get a progress inidication. You can either BS it and show a fake progress bar, or use a Java applet, Flash object or something along those lines where you get finer control over the operation.

[bluemicrobyte]

Yes, I've learned that POST isn't the best method for uploading files since you're also limited by the php.ini file as to how big files can be, and from personal experience POST uploads frequently fail.

For this particular situation, I'm willing to use a java applet or anything else, as well as another method to upload the file such as an FTP connection, the PUT method, or anything else that gets the job done with very little chance for error. Security (other than protecting files from being deleted) is not a big issue for this particular site/uploader. As I've said before, my goal here is to make it as convenient as possible for the end user (hence drag and drop, progress bar, and no login required. user types main url, user drags and drops, user is done.).

And the progress indicator is necessary because if anyone tries to upload a large file, it's not a good feeling to be waiting for something that might be stuck. For small uploads, I do use a fake progress bar -- but for this one I want a real progress bar.

------

The two scripts I linked to use java applets (or was one of them flash....) and the ThinFile one has options for using the PUT method or FTP -- both which seem like they would work nicely. (except, as stated above, the ThinFile thing is not free and I'm not willing to pay over $15 for a simple script like this -- that one costs 75 for a single site)

[TheBB]

Well like I said it can't be the biggest hassle to write one. I don't have time to do it for you though, and learning yourself Java just for this is probably not worth it, so sorry. Maybe if I find an uncharted source of lots of free time I can look at it, but until then you're on your own!

[TimP]

Also, you keep mentioning that you want the user to be able to drag and drop. As far as I know that's not possible within the context of a web browser.

[bluemicrobyte]

Well like I said it can't be the biggest hassle to write one. I don't have time to do it for you though, and learning yourself Java just for this is probably not worth it, so sorry. Maybe if I find an uncharted source of lots of free time I can look at it, but until then you're on your own!

Well I'm just starting an AP computer science class in which I will be learning java (but not javascript) so maybe I'll figure out how to write one in the future :P

Also, you keep mentioning that you want the user to be able to drag and drop. As far as I know that's not possible within the context of a web browser.

The two scripts I linked to in my first post allowed you to drag and drop files into an applet in a browser and the files would be uploaded instantly.