[cowiki-dev] Re: CoWiki File uploads, downloads

Szilard,

I envision several use cases for users:

    * I want to embed an image or other object (like a script of applet)
      into a coWiki page for display.  The embed plugin sort of does
      this in a limited way.

    * I have a page, or a collection of (html) pages and images that I
      want to display as part of the coWiki installation.  (As an
      example, the documentation pages generated by Doxygen.)  I don't
      want to have to use a separate web server to deliver these pages!

    * Let users download the current version of a document via the
      browser (much like you suggest below).  Twiki has an
      implementation of this we can use as a model.  Again, I don't want
      to require a separate web server.

This implies some needs for authors:

    * Upload a document or object for display embedded in a coWiki
      page.   (Implies serve uploaded document as need for display in a
      coWiki page)

    * Upload (and download?) a tree of directories and content. 
      Inter-document references must look like normal http file links! 
      Need to also maintain coWiki security for consistency.  (Also
      implies serve these documents.)

    * Upload (and track changes to) a document provided for later
      download.  Ability to show revision history.  Advanced would allow
      retrieval of previous versions.  Implies serving these documents.

    * Share a common document or tree of documents between coWiki
      pages-- For example, showing the same graphic on multiple pages.

Does this fit with how you see things?  I couldn't quite follow your 
idea... 

It seems that for all of these ideas there is an upload mechanism of 
some sort, a way to indicate on the target page what should be 
referenced in the generated page, and a way of serving up the desired 
content to the browser.

BTW, let's talk in generalities for the moment.  Daniel is in the 
process of reworking the database right now and I don't want to give him 
fits worrying about what we are going to do!  :-)  {See Daniel I *do* 
care about you!}

Paul

PS -- How do you say your first name?  :)

Szilard Novaki wrote:

> Hi Paul,
>
> I'm happy that you also want the feature. First, lets discuss about 
> the feature, without thinking about the solution:
>
> I'd like to have something, lets call it "downloadable", which is not 
> displayed by the system, but served by the server based on its mime 
> type. It should integrate seamlessly in cowiki architecture, i.e. 
> "downloadable" should be created, edited (updated) by users, it should 
> be version managed. Users may wish to place references on that 
> documents, e.g.:
>
> -- DOC
>
> You can download version 1.0 .tar.gz release ((Downloads|v1.0)(here).
>
> -- /DOC
>
> After this document is saved, there is a link on "here" and it is 
> served based on its mime type (application/x-gzip), it is not displayed.
>
> Ok, if we agree on the feature, I get confused, when I think of 
> implementation:
> - Normal documents are editable, because those can be displayed 
> (cowiki prints edit link, when displayed)
> - How can downloadables be edited, if they get downloaded immediately?
>
> Maybe, we should extend the grammar:
>
> -- DOC
>
> You can download version 1.0 .tar.gz release [[Downloads|v1.0][here].
>
> -- /DOC
>
> This is a new link type, that means, that the referenced document is 
> not displayed, it is served instead, based on it mime type. If a 
> "downloadable" is referenced with ()() structure, then it is displayed 
> like this:
>
> This is a downloadable document. Click here(link) to download it.
>
> In this case, the downloadable can be edited, as it is displayed (we 
> have the edit link).
>
> Maybe I got too far, please ignore the solution part if you not agree 
> with the feature part :)
>
> -- 
> Szilard Novaki <[email protected] 
> <mailto:[email protected]>>
>
>
> p.s. I would be happy to join the development team. I think we should 
> make that step when I make my first contribution. Hopefully, that will 
> happen soon :)