How to upload downloadable files?

[bradlawson]

I am a bit embassed to ask this question but i am lost even after trying to research it out. All i want to know is if i upload a file to my server, for example bradislost.mp3 how do i make it downloadable when i click on it, instead of run it. So it brings up the box Open or Save. and i can click save. I am so lost it if frustating.

Thanks,

Brad

[misty]

Add to a zip file, make zip file downloadable

[TinaS]

Brad - this is unavoidable if you are going to use MP3 files. The settings which control whether the MP3 comes up as a download or immediately plays are in the player of choice / internet options on the browser you are using.

Since you cannot control this on all visitor computers, you would either want to offer the download as a zip or rar file OR put a statement in the download page / checkout success that the client will have to right-click "File Save As" in order to download in some cases.

I designed a cart for a local record company and we had the same exact problem, ended up going with zip files.

[bradlawson]

That can't be true because some websites allow you to download MP3 plus your phone dowloads it as a mp3. So there must be some way of doing it.

[superprg]

That can't be true because some websites allow you to download MP3 plus your phone dowloads it as a mp3. So there must be some way of doing it.

Phones are fine, but can you tell me any site which will let me download mp3
Thanks

[DrByte]

how do i make it downloadable when i click on it, instead of run it. So it brings up the box Open or Save. and i can click save.

It might be possible with some javascript which forces delivery to require confirmation of method chosen.... just a thought ... haven't tried it.
Would be interesting to look at a site that already works as you desire, and see the technique used ... for inspiration ;)

[all80]

There are two options for this.

One is PHP and requires some knowledge of programming.

The other is a simple edit of the .htaccess file in the folder where you are storing these files. (This assumes you're hosting on an Apache server.)

Put these lines in the file:

AddType application/octet-stream mp3

(or)

<Files *.mp3>
ForceType application/octet-stream
Header set Content-Disposition attachment
</Files>

Then the files will be forced to download instead of open in the music player.

Regards,

Ale Elatey

[bradlawson]

all80 thanks for the suggestion but i couldn't get it to work. My site is running on a linx server with apache 1.3.36 (Unix). I am not fimlar at all with apache. But i created a .htaccess file with the code

<Files *.mp3>
ForceType application/octet-stream
Header set Content-Disposition attachment
</Files>

then i saved it in the directory with the mp3 and i didn't work. It just played the mp3 like usually. Is there something i am doing wrong?


Thanks,

Brad

[all80]

Try the other option.

Are you using a Unix server? Do you have control over setting file types? Your ISP may not allow re-writing the file types.

If you don't know the answer to these questions then you'll have to offer the right click 'save as...' option as mentioned before.

There will not be a full solution to this as any settings you use can be over-ridden by the users settings.

Ale.

[all80]

Just an FYI -

I've just tested the options (.htaccess and php) in both IE and Firefox.

With Firefox, there is no way to force a download as Firefox will over-ride and give the option of open or save (depending on settings).

IE will also depend on the user settings. If the user has not changed ANY default settings then it should work. But if the user has set the file type for the mp3 player (extremely likely if they've ever played an mp3) then the mp3 will automatically play instead of download unless they right click and select 'save as...'