MS Word files download

Hi,
Very simple question; I need to add a part to one of our existing sites where customers can download MS Word templates. Is achieving this as simple as using an application like ‘Fetch’ to create a new file on the web site, dropping the files there, and creating a new freeway page linking to those MS Word files to it?
Is there some specialised process for PC users downloading them, or a simple alt/right click or something (my knowledge of PC’s is minimal)
Thanks
Dave


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Unless you do something tricky with the Apache config or htaccess,
linking to a bare file leaves the decision of what to do with that
file up to the individual browser. Depending on the defaults or any
configuration changes made by the owner is okay, but probably not
idiot-proof enough for commercial use.

I would use a ForceType directive to change the server to send the
mime-type for generic binary data. This will force the browser to
download the file, not try to open it with an instance of Word acting
like a plug-in (which is what IE will try to do, in nearly all cases).

In an .htaccess file in the directory containing your files:

<FilesMatch "*.(doc|dot)">
	ForceType application/octet-stream
</FilesMatch>

Please note: the character inside the parentheses separating the doc
and dot is a “pipe”. In Mail, it looks like a lower-case L or a
capital i. I really hate Helvetica sometimes…

Walter

On Jun 7, 2008, at 11:54 AM, David B wrote:

Hi,
Very simple question; I need to add a part to one of our existing
sites where customers can download MS Word templates. Is achieving
this as simple as using an application like ‘Fetch’ to create a new
file on the web site, dropping the files there, and creating a new
freeway page linking to those MS Word files to it?
Is there some specialised process for PC users downloading them, or
a simple alt/right click or something (my knowledge of PC’s is
minimal)
Thanks
Dave


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Update your subscriptions at:
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Unless you do something tricky with the Apache config or htaccess,
linking to a bare file leaves the decision of what to do with that
file up to the individual browser. Depending on the defaults or any
configuration changes made by the owner is okay, but probably not
idiot-proof enough for commercial use.

I would use a ForceType directive to change the server to send the
mime-type for generic binary data. This will force the browser to
download the file, not try to open it with an instance of Word acting
like a plug-in (which is what IE will try to do, in nearly all cases).

In an .htaccess file in the directory containing your files:
Please note: the character inside the parentheses separating the doc
and dot is a “pipe”. In Mail, it looks like a lower-case L or a
capital i. I really hate Helvetica sometimes…

Walter

Thanks for that Walter, I think I know what you mean. It does make sense.

However, in order to follow your advice, my lack of experience means I am unclear as to how I should follow your instructions exactly.
If you can find the time to give some simple instructions (imagine you were explaining it to a 5 year old!) I’d really be very grateful. I’m certain other might be interested too.

Thanks
Dave B


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Use Transmit to make the folder for the files. Turn on its setting to show hidden files. From the file menu, choose New file. Name the file .htaccess (the leading dot is very important). Control-click on the file, and choose Edit with Transmit. Paste the lump of code from above into it and save. That’s it.

Walter


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Use Transmit to make the folder for the files. Turn on its setting to show hidden files. From the file menu, choose New file. Name the file .htaccess (the leading dot is very important). Control-click on the file, and choose Edit with Transmit. Paste the lump of code from above into it and save. That’s it.

Hi

Thanks for the help Walter.

I’ve downloaded Transmit and bought the licence key.
I get the bit about creating the folder and creating a file and then editing it with transmit. I’ve tested all this.

I am very sorry to ask for more help, but some more questions:

I am totally unable to find the option within Transmit that allows me to Show hidden files - where is that?

Next question is, do have I have this right:
I create a folder and name it whatever I choose, then within that folder I use Transmit to create a file and name it .htaccess. Within that file I paste this code:

<FilesMatch “*.(doc|dot)”>
ForceType application/octet-stream

I can then place my MS Word template in the folder, alongside file .htaccess. I can link to the MS Word docs as normal.

Again sorry to keep asking questions it must be very tiresome when it’s apparent to you!

I have contacted Transmit for help, but no reply

Cheers

David


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I am totally unable to find the option within Transmit that allows me to Show hidden files - where is that?

It’s in the View menu, a bit lower than the middle of the list.

Next question is, do have I have this right: I create a folder and name it whatever I choose, then within that folder I use Transmit to create a file and name it .htaccess. Within that file I paste this code:

ForceType application/octet-stream

I can then place my MS Word template in the folder, alongside file .htaccess. I can link to the MS Word docs as normal.

That’s it exactly. Make sure you paste the <FilesMatch> part of it as well.

Walter


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Thanks Walter, that worked okay - do you know how I can modify that code so that pdf’s are forced to behave in the same manner?
Also, would you know where PC’s will automatically shunt downloaded word files to (by default)

Thanks again , much appreciated

David


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My guess would be

<FilesMatch "*.(doc|dot|pdf)">
ForceType application/octet-stream
</FilesMatch>

David


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You beat me!

Walter


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That’s got to be a first!

David


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