Links that download for sure

[Simon Templar]

I have had problems several times with links to files to download. In one
case I had a text file with different extension than txt, that, in case the
user has the associated application installed, it could be opened with that,
or otherwise downloaded. The problem was that in some clients, the browser
displayed the file, wich was not the intended purpose and was useless for
the visitors.

Another time I had the more common challenge of allowing users downloading
pdf files instead of viewing them in their browser in case they had the
plugin installed.

I know a common answer would be to zip the files, but some users... you
know, are not even zip self confident so to speak.

How can I make sure, with a client side solution, the link triggers a
download? I tried to look for a javascript function but I am not advanced on
it so I couldn't find a way.

Thanks

[Michael Winter]

On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 14:28:41 -0300, Simon Templar <po********@gmx .co.uk>
wrote:

[snip]

How can I make sure, with a client side solution, the link triggers a
download? I tried to look for a javascript function but I am not
advanced on it so I couldn't find a way.

That's because it's not possible. See the (clj) FAQ
(<URL:http://jibbering.com/faq/>).

Mike

--
Michael Winter
Replace ".invalid" with ".uk" to reply by e-mail.

[brucie]

In alt.www.webmaster,comp.lang.javascript Simon Templar said:

I have had problems several times with links to files to download.
you have no control over what happens when a link to a file is clicked
and you cant force anything. if a person wants to download the file
instead of opening it in the browser window or in some other application
they should know what to do (and you don't know what they want to do so
you shouldn't try to guess for them).

if your visitors do not know how to download a file without opening it
in the browser supply instructions for the common browsers and those
shown in your server stats.
In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt,
idiot
The problem was that in some clients, the browser displayed the file,
wich was not the intended purpose and was useless for the visitors.
if you want a "save dialog" then change *your* preferences.
Another time I had the more common challenge of allowing users downloading
pdf files instead of viewing them in their browser

acrobat has the option to turn off browser integration. simple, you
don't need to do anything.
--

v o i c e s o f t h e l i t t l e

[Zifud]

brucie wrote:

In alt.www.webmaster,comp.lang.javascript Simon Templar said:

[snip]

In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt,

idiot

[snip]

Really? So what extension would you give an ASCII file with comma
separated values? Seems to me that would be .csv (or .csf for some) and
if the user doesn't have .csv assigned to any particular application
(Windows will assign it to Excel by default IF you have Excel) it will
be displayed in the browser as text.

There are many more examples, please don't be so quick to judge, or so
rude in your language.

Zif.

[brucie]

In alt.www.webmaster,comp.lang.javascript Zifud said:

In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt,

idiot

Really?
no i was wrong i should have said fucking idiot.
So what extension would you give an ASCII file with comma
separated values? Seems to me that would be .csv (or .csf for some) and
if the user doesn't have .csv assigned to any particular application
(Windows will assign it to Excel by default IF you have Excel) it will
be displayed in the browser as text.
he can use any cute little 3 letters he wants to, even more or less or
even none at all if it gives him a thrill, it doesn't matter. what does
matter is the mime the server sends with the file to identify what it
is.
There are many more examples, please don't be so quick to judge, or so
rude in your language.

some people are just no fucking fun at all

--

v o i c e s o f t h e l i t t l e

[Toby Inkster]

Zifud wrote:

brucie wrote:

Simon Templar said:

In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt,

idiot

Really? So what extension would you give an ASCII file with comma
separated values?

Brucie's point was that extensions are entirely a Windows thing. There is
no such thing as an extension on the web.

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact

[Zifud]

Toby Inkster wrote:
[snip]

Brucie's point was that extensions are entirely a Windows thing. There is
no such thing as an extension on the web.

Then perhaps Brucie could have said as much, in similar language.

Zif.

[Toby Inkster]

Zifud wrote:

Then perhaps Brucie could have said as much

He did in his own way.

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact
Now Playing ~ ./oasis/the_masterplan. ogg

[Simon Templar]

Well, this deserves a clarification due to the quick assesment this
gentleman, brucie, makes. The text file extension is pgn, an absolute
standard in chess games database for its interchangeabil ity over the net.
The problem is chess players and amateurs are not always versant in zip
files, so they feel more comfrotable just by even directly opening the file
from the web server, and it would automatically fire up their chess database
application associated with this extension.

Enough

"brucie" <sh**@usenetshi t.info> escribió en el mensaje
news:z1******** *******@usenets hit.info...

In alt.www.webmaster,comp.lang.javascript Zifud said:

In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt, idiot

Really?

no i was wrong i should have said fucking idiot.

So what extension would you give an ASCII file with comma
separated values? Seems to me that would be .csv (or .csf for some) and
if the user doesn't have .csv assigned to any particular application
(Windows will assign it to Excel by default IF you have Excel) it will
be displayed in the browser as text.

he can use any cute little 3 letters he wants to, even more or less or
even none at all if it gives him a thrill, it doesn't matter. what does
matter is the mime the server sends with the file to identify what it
is.

There are many more examples, please don't be so quick to judge, or so
rude in your language.

some people are just no fucking fun at all

--

v o i c e s o f t h e l i t t l e

[Simon Templar]

Well in the case of pgn chess standard files, as I pointed in another post
to this thread, even Linux and Mac applications look for this extensions.
The point is, that if the file is shown in a browser window, you can read
the notation and relevant data of the games, such as who played with white
and black pieces, tournament, year, etc., but can't replay the game, except
you open an application and enter the moves manually. The pgn files are
supported by dozens of chess applications, which when reading these files,
immediately allow the user to replay the games just by clicking a forward
arrow below a chess board, and switching from game to game without the
hassle of rearranging the pieces back to their starting position. In fact
this is its primary advantage! So, for chess related sites, it is very
important to make sure the user will be able to download the file
independently of the browser configuration, OS, etc. The suggestion to put
an advice on right clicking the link and choosing to save, would be an
intermediate solution. I wonder if there is any way, even server side in php
or asp to solve this and make everythinng friendlier to the user, or in
other words, more usable.
"Toby Inkster" <us**********@t obyinkster.co.u k> escribió en el mensaje
news:pa******** *************** *****@tobyinkst er.co.uk...

Zifud wrote:

brucie wrote:

Simon Templar said:

In one case I had a text file with different extension than txt,

idiot

Really? So what extension would you give an ASCII file with comma
separated values?

Brucie's point was that extensions are entirely a Windows thing. There is
no such thing as an extension on the web.

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact