A frequently-asked query:
I have paid web hosting my friend and I use which comes with unlimited space and bandwidth. Alot of my other friends don’t know anything about ftp programs so I want to offer them an easier way to upload files and have their own folder of files to manage using my webspace. I found a nice php based uploader system which allows people to sign up, have their own folder, and be able to manage their uploaded files. The problem is, php has a max upload filesize and our host doesn’t want to raise it due to quality assurance. I know with an ftp account you can upload anysize files so does anybody know a better uploader that doesn’t use php that would work the same way but allow bigger uploads somehow? I’m looking for a free script engine for setting up accounts or whatever.
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The provider controls the configuration of the webserver software so you probably have limits on all http uploading. Check with them before you go to the trouble of changing over to another language. I know you could do it with perl cgi scripts but like I already mentioned your provider might limit all http uploads to about the same size as the php upload limit.
I’d be surprised if they put a limit on PHP and not on other scripting languages, so there’s probably no way around it except using FTP.
On the other hand, I’m not sure it would be so advisable to give your friends access to everything, especially if they don’t already know FTP.
Finally you should make sure to read your host’s terms and conditions because I’d be extremely surprised that you could upload an unlimited amount of anything.
I’ve encountered people who can accumulate 500GB in one month. It’s quite obvious that no web host can take that kind of load, so there has to be a limit either in size or file type (affecting size).
I would say using a Java or Flash based ftp client. Unless your host supports a different scripting language on their end, there really isn’t anything you can do. You could even go about it by making your own. Sources below contain some free clients that are available, although if you are using a windows operating system it contains a ftp client inside the windows explorer itself and transferring files becomes as easy as moving files around on your own computer.
To use the Windows Explorer FTP:
1) Open "My Computer"
2) In the address bar at the top, type "ftp://username:password@server.com" but replace username and password with those for your hosting account and of course replace server.com with whatever your ftp server domain name is. You could also leave out the entire username:password@ part and just type in ftp://server.com and windows will ask you for your password and username to login to the ftp server.
3) Done.