By domineaux on
I'd like to use the project module to build a Downloads section on a site I'm working.
I'd like to have a consistent format for the users to view along with an image. I'd like for users to upload the files themselves along with the image.
The site admin will approve the submitted files then they will be placed for other users to download.
ANyone done something like this?
Comments
A) create a CCK content type
A) create a CCK content type with an image field.
users can upload the image via this content type. Configure the content type so that it doesnot get published automatically - by deselecting "publish" options.
Admin can publish this content using existing drupal admin screens.
B) install the image module I believe it creates image nodes for you automatically without CCK.
You can make it more complicated or if your needs are for more features you could also look at the workflow module for the approval process, views to create views of unpublished and published image nodes, extend the CCK node or the image node using CCK to add custom fields to your image.
Thank you for your response
Thank you for your response
Reviving this one
I've got to build a site that has in excess of 20,000 files for download.
Users will need a very simplified method to submit/upload files with images and descriptive data.
Admin will approve files for publication.
Has anyone given thought to building a more dedicated module just for downloads?
The amount of information users are required to submit with files using drupal project module is just... too much. Most of prospective users will probably have tough enough time just going through registration. They sure won't understand all the form filling applied in the Drupal Project module .
There are several sites I've seen with large numbers of downloads available to users. Most of the better ones appear to create a type of menu of categories then when you access a subcategory you get a kind of matrix screen with each download file, an image or links to images with several types of archive file download links. The user can then scroll through the category/subcategory matrix and review the different downloads.
A good search filter criteria will be needed to access all the different files.
An example - A downloads section comprised of Automobile service information available for download
First a category = Automobile Mfgr
Second a sub category = Model of automobile
Filter = year model
Filter = engine type
Filter = Air Conditioned or Not air conditioned
In other words a category type search at several levels and an indepth level of filters.
User submitting the files for download will basically supply the archive file, an image/s, use a spin entry or something similar to select the category/subcategories, use a spin entry for selecting filters. The spin entry fills are created at the Admin permission level only.
The admin must have ability to force specific accepted limited MIME types and file names for security
WHen file is submitted an email notifies the admin so the submitted file information may be edited and published quickly.
What you are looking at can
What you are looking at can be easily achieved with just a plain CCK node with the CCK filefield or even just the standard page/story content type with the upload module installed and attachments enabled - not sure why the project module is needed.
Use taxonomies to do the categorization so each upload can be categorized into several different areas - and/or use something like the following in a CCK node to create your filters or categorization.
http://drupal.org/project/hierarchical_select
http://drupal.org/project/dependantDropdown
http://drupal.org/project/FixedDataDropdown
Use views to display the data and allow you to dynamically filter the results down.
PanisToo bad I haven't more
Panis
Too bad I haven't more time to learn more of Drupal before I get such a project.
The best part of this posting is learning from you just how much more extensive Drupal really is.
I've always had issues building sites with downloads.
Somethings just work in reverse for me... LOL
I appreciate your taking your time to read my long-winded posting and responding so patiently. (twice)
Actually, I am very excited reading your response knowing this can be done effectively within Drupal.
I didn't ignore your first posting. I just needed to explain better what I needed to accomplish with large number of files.
There are so many other features for the site that really need a drupal build. The downloads section
is a big hurdle. Just thinking about uploading all those files to the server and having issues= bad news
You probably know exactly what I'm talking about.
Again, Thank you very much.
I'm still working on
I'm still working on this.
The previous ideas are good. I've been playing with the CCK and views and building the submit and final viewing document seems to be pretty well addressed. The number of download files is so significant that addressing this through Taxonomy alone is just to bulky and the files will be too difficult to access.
Now I need to think of a way to actually structure this for flexible, prompt access to the files for downloading.
Downloads -
----Search Downloads
------Filter A
--------Filter A1
----------Filter A2
------------Filter A3
Filters can actually be Search or Sort mechanisms
Or variations of the above.
I'm trying to plan a structure that will manage the entire downloads - and then have filters and searches within the downloads.
Creating a Page in Contents is just not going to get it.
I have found a few modules - Node hierarchy, Relativity, Groups, Books etc. From what I've read the Node Hierarchy or Relativity may be the best course of action to follow.
The hierarchy modules mentioned in a previous posting might be flexible enough. I am also concerned for users to be able to visually scroll/browse through selected portions or selected parts of the downloads.
I'm probably right on top of the solution, but I've so little experience with Drupal.
Any suggestions appreciated
Thanks