VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

BenWils · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Question for Anthony or Genus...others may want to know the answer to as well.

Do you have to have a separate Mac to use for FTP/Server applications? This stuff is beyond me I guess. Looking at the Crush FTP thing and confused as to what I need to get it going. I have a Mac tower with multiple hard drives. Is this usable or do I need another machine?

Right now I have been setting up ftp subfolders with my webhost. Since they upgraded recently it seems to have a faster upload and download time...especially since my host IX Webhosting moved their servers to my hometown. Anyway, I have not had any issue uploading stuff with Dreamweaver and sending clients their username and password....other than recently, a client complained it took forever to download and that they could not open the mp3, which is the file they requested because of the size. It had me baffled as to why they had issues. I loaded the files to their Whalemail and it was fine??

But something with WebDav like CrushFTP or .Mac is what I am after since I could access via a finder window in my Mac.

So after all that....any help you two guys could be in answering my FTP-Challenged questions would be greatly appreciated.
_________________
Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

I have a separate domain I use for ftp and will provide a link to a client if they don't have ftp of their own. Even some of them have limits on the file size their ftp site will take. Sometimes I do series narrations that have an episode that is 300mb or more and have to split it up to fit it on their ftp without going over quota.
That's why I usually use my site and provide a link they can just paste into their software to download. I can also see through my log when the file has been accessed. I know it creates a page but it's easily accessed by the client wherever they may be. I found it really useful when doing some work for some Chinese clients. I didn't have to try and access any of their ftp sites in China. They just downloaded from mine.

I typically use FileZilla as my ftp software to up and download. Firefox now has an addon ftp tool to the browser you can use to access your website and upload and download.

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

hey ben,

although i record on my mac in one part of the house, CrushFTP is running on a separate PC. once i'm done w/ a session, i just put the file (via the local network) in the user's folder on that PC and BOOM, instant access and availability.

you don't HAVE to have it separate, but i just don't want any of the houses downloading stuff from the mac i'm recording on. by now you can probably see the advantage of hosting it locally - if you have a large file (like the previous poster's 300MB file) there's no waiting on the client's behalf for you to upload such a large file BEFORE they're able to access it... it's available almost fast as you can get it out of your DAW - w/out the need to "split it up" for fear of going over quotas.

The beauty of the program is that it really is several servers in one (i.e., WebDAV HTTP/HTTPS FTP, etc.). The MAC tower you have, can probably run it - because if you can't run the Java a Hobo Tounge

, then you can install it as a service.

Ben gives you 30 days to use it - full functionality... plus he's very responsive so download it and play with it. You can read the quickstart guide here OR
download the Quick Start Video (11MB) file here.

Once you have it installed on a separate computer, you can access the folders via your studio machine's finder window and just drop the client's files there... CrushFTP has a setting where it can automatically email your client to let them know that their files are ready for download and how to get them.

PEACE.
-Anthony

EDIT: If you'd like to see how customizable it is - feel free to shoot me an email, and I'll set up a user for you to play around w/ on my server - it's the Client Login link on my site (I only have it running during biz hours).

BenWils · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

Thanks Anthony. I will check out those links and see what I can do. I do have a second computer these days via my Macbook. But I am not sure I want to use it as a server. I sold the PC I had since I got Windows running on my Mac with VMWare Fusion.

I appreciate the assistance.
_________________
Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

jasbart · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:58 am Post subject:

What is the index file that you need living in a folder on your website that allows someone to view all the files stored there? (Poorly worded question, but do you know what I mean?)

Presently I use "index.php" which gets the job done, but it makes the window look bad.

Thanks, Jim
_________________
Jim Barton
Barton Voice & Sound
www.bartonvoice.com

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

Jim,

It's called ".htaccess" (note the leading dot), without the quotes of course. Our dear Deirdre was nice enough to hook me up with a copy when I needed one the other day.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

jasbart · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:44 am Post subject:

So how does one get this .htaccess? And once you get it, is it as simple as just dropping it into a folder?

Thanks, Jim
_________________
Jim Barton
Barton Voice & Sound
www.bartonvoice.com

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:56 am Post subject:

Jim,

I've just emailed the file to you. Hopefully it comes through the ether OK. And yes, just put it in any folder on your site in which you want to be able to make the folder available as a directory.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject:

Jim,

Three attempts to email have all bounced off your email server as if I'm trying to send you spam. I suggest you get in touch with Deirdre ( deirdre@db-cooper.com ) our baord mistress. It was she who provided me with the file in the first place and understands this stuff much better than I do.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject:

The .htaccess doc I wrote instructs the Apache server to let you use "files and folders."

It's tricky to use because it's an invisible file, but your FTP window can see it and so can your browser.
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