Allowing user to Download

[agisoec]

Hi, All,
This may belong in a different forum. If so, just tell me. I'm new to this site, and relatively new to web page design.

I'm creating a web page using HTML to put on my ISP server. I have a PDF document also on my server. I want my friends to be able to D/L the PDF to keep, not just read. I would like to have a link that will give them a chance to save it rather than just have it open on their browser---sorta like when you D/L a program or something from a site and you get a window called "download manager" that asks if you want to execute, save, cancel, etc.

I see all kinds of "download manager's" listed on the net (both free and priced) but they all seem to be described as only for ME to d/l.

I 'preciate anyone's help/advice.

[steven]

When they view the PDF, they are essentially downloading it onto their own computer to view. That's how the Internet works. Every web page you visit is downloaded to your computer for you to see it.

Because the PDF extension will be recognised by their browser, it automatically downloads the file and then opens it in a viewer. They can save the file from within the pdf viewer (to a location they specify) or you can just put a little note on the page near the download that says "Right click and save target / as to download the file.", or something to that effect.

[agisoec]

Hi, Steven:

I sure appreciate you taking time to answer. I was aware of the right-click and save-as option. I will use it if necessary. What I'm hoping to find is how to set up a link that will start a download manager pop-up program that let's the user run, save, cancel, etc.

I sure hope somebody gives me the advice I need.

Thanks, again, for your advice.

EARL

[steven]

Hi, Steven:

I sure appreciate you taking time to answer. I was aware of the right-click and save-as option. I will use it if necessary. What I'm hoping to find is how to set up a link that will start a download manager pop-up program that let's the user run, save, cancel, etc.

I sure hope somebody gives me the advice I need.

Thanks, again, for your advice.

EARL

That's what I'm explaining to you.

As far as I'm aware, it's not possible to force the download option, because the browser detects the mime-type. As I understand it, because you are linking the file in the html, the mimetype is detected from the extension and/or perhaps the headers of the file. It's not controlled by the html. So unless there's some kind of server side setting, I don't think it's possible to manually set it so that it auto pops up asking the user to download the file. It would only do this if it didn't recognise the files mimetype and/or there's no software to handle the file.

If you want to achieve this, change the file extension or zip it up.

If there is a way to do this, I wouldn't mind knowing, but I don't think it's possible.

[ronverdonk]

This question really belongs in e.g. the PHP forum. But anyway: if your 'to-download' file is on the server and you can put a small PHP download application on that server, you can accomplish to show the download requestor the standard 'open', 'save' or 'cancel' alert.

All you need to do is put a
[html]<a href="download.php?download_file=MyDocument.pdf">D ownload here</a>[/html] statement in your html script and store the download.php application at your server. If you want such code, please pass your thread to the PHP forum, so other members may also see it.

Ronald :cool:

[agisoec]

Thanks, Ronald...I appreciate the response. I will re-post this question to the PHP forum as you suggested, and thanks for the HTML Code snippet.
Earl