We are all used to attaching files to emails, I am sure. But there are a few problems using this method of getting files from one place or another:
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- eMail systems can sometimes corrupt the files being attached. This is especially true of multimedia files like videos, and programs.
- Sometimes the files are larger than what is permitted by that email system (This is especially true of school-based email systems).
- Many times schools impose firewalls in order to prevent spam and viruses (this is particularly true of .zip files, which are infamous for causing problems.
(BTW, one way around this particular problem is changing the ‘file extension’ to something innocuous and then telling the recipient to change it back once they have downloaded it).
- When you use Google, YouTube, Vimeo, etc., you give up your copyrights to the artifacts and provide a product that they turn around and ‘sell’ making you, in effect, an unpaid ’employee’ of those companies.
We need an alternative way of sending files to one another. There are several methods. We could use ftp iin its raw form but many folks have not learned how to do that and oyu run risks of opening up your servers to bad actors. So, here are the alternatives:- We could use Canvas, but there is an imposed limit on bandwidth usage for entries. In this case, your final project most likely are larger.
- We could use Drop Box. This is a pretty good alternative but not all that safe/secure. I know you probably rely on this one a lot. Because we are dealing with student assignments here, we need something more secure.
- we could utilize a free a Web-based package such as yousendit.com. .. same issues
You may get the idea by now that I am not a big fan of ‘freebie’ packages that are offered online. This is usually because there are either time or size limit constraints, banner ads, or that I am unsure as to the real confidentiality/security of your files. I am not saying you should never use these programs, but I have fallen into the habit of becoming self-reliant and independent of them.
We have built a transfer app that combines the security of FTP with the ease of use of things like drop box/yousendit, etc. Our app is called Easier Uploader that does all the ftp work for you (similar to uploading to YouTube). Below are the instructions on using this app. Note that the max file size has been set at 256 megs. Make sure you follow the instructions as laid out. Otherwise the file could be uploaded to the wrong directory on the server.
INSTRUCTIONS.. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
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- To get your assignment to the correct location, make sure you are using the correct uploader for the correct assignment. There are two, one for video 1 and one for video 2.
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Make sure you enter your name.
- The file name should follow the specifications exactly as noted in the lesson. POINTS WILL REDUCED FOR IMPROPER FORMATTING OF FILE NAMES!!!!! We are accepting either an mp4 file or a wmv. If you choose to use PowerPoint to create for video make sure you export the ppt slides to video format (the default is wmv).
- Depending on the file size, the upload may take several minutes.
- PLEASE BE PATIENT AND DO NOT CLICK ANY OTHER BUTTONS OR LEAVE THE PAGE WHILE THE FILE UPLOAD IS IN PROCESS.
- IF SUCCESSFUL YOU WILL RECEIVE a success message.
- Before you upload your second video please wait for the first one to finish.
FINAL NOTE: FOLKS HAVE REPORTED INTERMITTENT ISSUES USING THEIR BROWSERS. IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES TRY ANOTHER ONE (If using Chrome try Firefox, etc.) I am not sure how well Safari works but that is the least favorable one to use.
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