Well Ken, I was looking for something similar and after looking around at a
lot of very complex and expensive systems I ended up building my own. It is
actually so simple it's wonderful. It consists of basically 2 web pages and
a single web server located outside our firewall (well, really it's inside
but we have some special routing set up and it's accessible from the outside
while still being protected). Anyway I set it up like this using ASP.NET:
servername(at)yaddayadda.com/upload.aspx
That page is basically the upload page which you enter an email address and
select a file on your local system that you want to upload. You can restrict
file types (mine will only accept Windows Media or QuickTime files but you
could use it for any type) and size if you want. But that page is also only
accessible from inside our building and it would be very easy to add a
user/password for uploading if necessary. The beauty is what comes next:
once the file is accepted and saved onto the web server it is renamed and
given an 8 digit random number at the head. So "myfile.mov" becomes
"88234252_myfile.mov". That way even if someone uploads the same filename it
is virtually impossible to overwrite a file. What that also does is
eliminate the need for user/password in order to retrieve the file. The
system sends an email to the address you entered on the upload page
including the weblink to the download page which is something like this:
servername(at)yaddayadda.com/playback.aspx?id=88234252_myfile.mov
it's anonymous access so anyone could technically get the file but they
would need the exact filename which would be virtually impossible to guess.
Each weblink generated by the upload page points to a single file so you
need a separate link to get each file. The reason for the aspx and the id in
the link is just so I can have the program check that the file is actually
there and give adequate error messages instead of just a dead link.
The beauty is that since there is no user/password you can simply send an
email to a client and they can watch the video in seriously less than 5
seconds and with a single mouse-click. It works on Mac or PC. On my playback
page there is a button to download the file and one to play it. Clicking the
PLAY button pops up a QuickTime (or Windows Media) player that starts
playing as it downloads from the server so it's very quick.
One drawback might be that since every upload is basically individual asset
there's no way to really organize projects or revisions or anything, or
accept or log approvals which are features that a lot of the complicated
systems had but I felt they added too much overhead with all the project and
user administration. With my system you just have to name the files properly
with revision numbers and since the links are sent via email you just voice
the approvals or comments by return email. The system really takes care of
its self. There is a warning in the email you get and on the playback page
that the file will be online for 30 days (could be longer if necessary)
after which the server automatically purges them so I don't even really need
to manage the storage space.
So far it's been great and everyone loves it. Well, that's my story.
Cheers,
Matt.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Skaggs [mailto:kskaggs(at)framespersecond.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 6:26 PM
To: DS(at)Softimage.COM
Subject: OT: FTP posting and Ad Beast
In a recent discussion of how and what people are using for their FTP
site/service, someone on the list mentioned adbeast.com . If I remember
correctly, that person had some issues with them. Since then, I have sat
through a demo and on the surface, I like what I see. For most occasions, I
would strictly be using it to post versions of spots. Some clients would
love to have one area that the production company, music house, et. al.
could consolidate everything. Most of my postings would be several :30's
under 5 megs each. On the rare occasions the production company posted
casting, files could be larger. The only thing I don't like so far is that
clients can't down load files to their hard drive. I like the seamless look
between adbeast and my web site and the simplicity for simple projects or
robustness if desired for an advanced client. Some of the features are
fluff for me. Any other comments from someone using adbeast or in the know?
Since the last FTP discussion has anyone come across a gem?
My requirements:
Simple. At most for some clients I can get them to my website, one click
link, uname, pword and they better be viewing.
PC/Mac/Firewall compatibility. This is my biggest trouble with hosting my
own FTP.
Speed for multiple users. 10-12 active projects, 5-10 active versions per
project, 10 people downloading per project.
Seamless look. I want the thing to look like it is still me and my website
but without programming my website every time I post. One project today had
4 versions per post with 5 different postings. This can't take too long.
Multiple Admins. 3 producers and 2 assists/tape ops all have to be able to
administer the postings.
Cost. At this point I am willing to pay a decent amount to have something
with all of my requirements. After all, I will do my best to pass the cost
through + a little..............oh, I just woke up from a dream..........I
mean cheap.....
Thanks............Ken
Ken Skaggs
President/Founder
Frames
3008 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
214-922-9232
kskaggs(at)framespersecond.com
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