Hi all,

I know Barry is very busy helping all of us so I'd rather let him help people for real issues (like the one crazymerlin has) than bothering him on some requests that are not really urgent :-)

To cut a long story short, I am looking for a working flash uploader to Nirvanix, so that I can replace my simple HTTP upload... (the current flash uploader released on Nirvanix needs to be reworked and it's actually a file hosting application rather than a simple uploader)

I am totally clueless at Flash and I really don't have time to learn it on my own, so I am looking for a ready made solution.

I am available to pay (though my budget is very limited), but I don't want to go through some external freelance service, I'd rather keep this within the community if possible.

The uploader will become open source once it's done, as I really want other people to benefit from this.

If you are interested (or you know somebody who might be interested) just let me know and we can discuss the details

ciao

Luca

Hi Luca,

Once I have my issue resolved I will happily share my uploader with you. It is flash/ajax based and allows for multiple file uploads through a queuing system. It also has overall and per file progess, a manageable file upload list, and reporting back upon failed uploads which does not stop the remaining files from uploading.

Right now it is only about 10% reliant on my app, but I should be able to pull it out easily enough.

Here is a screen shot of it in action, randomly selected files just to show for this shot:

Styling is all external CSS for easy manipulation on a site.
Uploader itself is a tiny SWF file driven by javascript.

Server-side code only needed to handle the initial form build to get the upload node, and to process returned data.

Like I said, as soon as I have this kink worked out of my system, I'll pull this uploader for you.

Paul.

Hi Paul,

what can I say... a big THANK YOU to begin with...

let me know if I can help somehow (testing?) 

really really appreciated...

ciao

Luca 

 This is excellent.  I was considering using http://www.element-it.com/MultiPowUpload.aspx with the next release of the PHP Web Client (formerly php file manager)  If its released before I get the client ready I would love to use your uploader instead (with a link back to you of course.)

Thanks,
    Barry R.

Hey guys!

I'm a Brit, so while everyone in our company is taking ther day off on the 4th I have no reason to, so I will try and get that uploader pulled for you.

I'll update the files to make sure they are commented everywhere they need to be.

 

Thanks,

no need to create a diplomatic incident for just a Flash Uploader :-)

 try to enjoy your day off, as far as I know in the US there are not as many holidays as in old "lazy" Europe...

 and I am italian so I know what being lazy means :-)

 ciao

 Luca

Ah yes, I remember those days of being lazy...then they made me lead developer and now I'm screwed!

 

mmania:

no need to create a diplomatic incident

When opportunity knocks, open the damn door...anything to stir these Yanks up ;)

Paul :)

Then I misunderstood something don't you need an upload token for every file you up -- with the file size given ahead of the time?

what about a flash webcam recorder for nirvanix? similar to this: http://www.flashcoms.com/products/profile_recorder/overview/

Hi Karoly,

In short, no.

You need an upload token for a session. Once generated the upload token is valid for 72 hours. In that period you may upload as many files as you like using the same token. The token will then tell the CDN which IP is to be used to accept the uploaded data.
The file size only needs to be an estimate, most likely for space allocation on the server, and to satisfy the webserver running which I believe is IIS.

This means you can get a bunch of files together and upload them with a single token.
Something I have found to be useful is to upload all files to a temp storage path on the CDN, then once the complete list is uploaded, a callback runs a function I have which lists the contents of the temp folder and moves the files to different folders based on their MIME type. So all movies go into a "video" folder, mp3, wav etc into an "audio" folder and so on.

This alleviates search times later on in an application by searching only the folders needed. If you wish to list all movie files for example, you simply list the contents of thre "video" folder with no other functionality other than GDI functions needed.

Hope that answers your ponderings :)

 Hi berlin,

Not sure if you are asking if the CDN could be used with that app, or if you are proposing an app similar to the one you linked.

In either case the CDN would be able to be used in that situation. You could use buffering to store 3 seconds (or x bytes) of video and then upload that buffer as a partial upload using the AppendFile command. Once the upload is done, you would flush the buffer. The best way for this would most likely be in a multi-threaded app with each thread having its own buffer and so having multiple streams, which should reduce the risk of lag corrupting the video stream.

The stream could be saved as any type of video medium and then converted to FLV once upload is finalized.

refs.:
http://developer.nirvanix.com/sitefiles/1000/API.html#_Toc175999899
http://developer.nirvanix.com/sitefiles/1000/API.html#_TocHTTPUpdateExamples

Luca, I have swfUpload working with Nirvanix and could help you if you like.

This would be an alternative to CrazyMerlin's solution - only you'll know if it is a better fit.

• CrazyMerlin's flash uploader includes a flash user interface; some developers/clients like flash user interfaces, some don't (and most usability experts/user experience designers don't like them either). Sorry, didn't look closely, CrazyMerlin's is indeed a CSS/HTML interface, like swfUpload
  
• swfUpload is a flash file that is essentially invisible (1px). So you can design your upload page in HTML.
• you make a button and attach a javascript behavior
• this triggers the flash file to open a dialog box (which allows for multiple file selection using ctrl/shift key)
  
• the flash file sends javascript events (e.g. progress, file queues, upload complete, etc.)
• so you can use javascript to control an html/css progress bar (I use jquery+progression) 

advantages to swfUpload over other flash uploader solutions:

• you don't need to know flash
• swfUpload is open source, and actively maintained, so you've got a reliable script to depend on
  
• you just need to use javascript to handle it's events
• no flash interface (some would consider that an advantage, some developers love flash interfaces, it's up to you)
• you can control your upload page with HTML/CSS 
• you can keep your development efforts to javascript/server-side (php, ruby, etc.)
• easy configuration of parameters (e.g. allow or deny certain file types or max/min files sizes BEFORE they are uploaded)

Note:

• Although Nirvanix allows multiple file uploads with a single session-upload token, I believe Flash (well, certainly swfUpload) uploads each file as an independent HTTP POST (ie. each file is it's own form submission). I haven't tested extensively re-using the same token, but if you allow big uploads, it's conceivable that a multi-file upload might start with a file that's huge and takes several hours, then another, etc. so you might be depending on using the same Nirvanix token for an awfully long time. Instead, I use swfUpload's file-upload-complete events to do a quick AJAX request for a new upload token. I have this working in php/jquery.
  
• Also note, although flash uploads were introduced in flash player 8, it's hard to process Nirvanix' return codes in flash 8... I am only supporting flash 9 currently.

 Its always best to do uploads using a unique Upload Token.  By using the same token you can run into issues with files colliding if you use the same names and potentially other issues.

Regards,
    Barry R.

 Andjules,

thanks  a lot for the offer really appreciate...

as far as I can tell both solutions (yours and Paul's one) are good for my simple objective of replacing the HTTP upload.

Flash 9 is not a problem, I just checked, only 2/3% of my visitors are on Flash 8.

I would say just bring it on and I'll give it a go... Paul, don't hesitate to post yours, the more choice the better :-)

I am really glad to see we have a positive and open approach within the community, really good for everybody...

again a sincere THANK YOU for your help

ciao

Luca

PS  I'll send you a private message with my email