Thread

(Finally went licensed on a project..yippy!)

I would like an upload form (image link, just one) in the stand-alone entry form.  It also needs to be simple…. SIMPLE…. as technology should be.  A browse button to select the file, upload it, and put the web address in the weblog field.

I’ve done some research on this one, so I’m hoping there’s an easy solution instead of a complicated one (like going back to school to learn PHP and write my own plugin).

1. The built-in upload form is cumbersome and I still can’t get it to put just the URL in a form field.  Plus there are too many steps the user could mess up (uploading to the wrong folder, making resize decisions, using the img tag instead of URL)

2. So I started using File Manager / File (not Files) but doesn’t work in a SAEF.  Blast it all.
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/38997/
http://loweblog.com/archive/2005/05/25/ee-file-manager-module/

3. Gallery doesn’t have a SAEF, and might not fit for just a single photo for an entry.
(http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/40098/)

4. Solspace’s Freeform doesn’t work with EE’s weblog module and a single entry, right?
http://www.solspace.com/software/detail/freeform/

5. Simple Uploader just modifies the built-in upload thing right?
It could also use a bit more explaining in the readme.
http://expressionengine.com/downloads/details/simple_uploader/

5. The only one that has come close is this recent plugin:
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/61506/
But I’m not sure how to get urls to show up in a custom weblog field.

Looks like there are many, many related questions to doing things like this.  What [most likely solspace plugin] do people use to support this?  Did I miss a feature in one of these plugins or is there one I missed?

http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/62767/

Other related threads:
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/59964/
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/60792/
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/62767/
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/63161/ (#1)
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/60914/
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/25803/

I just use the stock image uploader that comes with the SAEF.  I think the best way to approach this if the sop approach doesn’t work?  Think of exactly how you’d like it to work and custom code it.  If Phoebe’s plugin comes close?  I’d try it out, reply to the thread with what works/what doesn’t/suggestions/etc.  It sounds like she’s up for tweaking things and looking for input into that thread.  But basically?  I can think of a whole lot of different ways folks might like this to work- building something that would suit everyone is probably unlikely.  So, start with how you need it to work, and then either make a feature request, build your own if you have the coding skills, support/post to someone who has a plugin that comes close, or you could hire someone to build exactly what you want according to your specs.

Make sense?  I’m going to shift this over to ‘How to’ for the moment, as it’s more a brainstorming question right now.  If you do go with the standard upload and it’s giving you trouble?  That’s more a direct ‘tech support’ type question and we should be able to help you get that working as intended.

1. The stock uploader asks any test user and admin I make to login when the option is clicked, thus sending me back to the control panel in a 200 px wide locked window.  It didn’t used to, now it does again.  I’m logged in (obviously) and checked the permissions (admin-weblog-fileupload prefs), and users have access to the control panel.  Yesterday it was working, the day before it was not,  the day before that it was…..

2. The stock uploader also has never placed URLs/Image tags into the form when the option is clicked.

3. Is there a way to lock the uploader so it only shows the images for that user?  How about removing the folder option?  There are situations where I’m sure it works fine, my guess is with admins who understand it.  I had some friends (college-age) who would fit the profile of the majority of users and they couldn’t figure it out.

I suppose I should request the File Manager plugin to work on a SAEF, because that’s exactly what I’m looking for?  Have you worked with any of the other plugins I mentioned?

Yes, I think you should write one.

http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/60890/

I’d almost be tempted to write a custom extension- I THINK that would be the approach- anyway, a custom something.  Append a prefix based on username to cut down on duplicate file names, auto-append a number in the case it happens anyway, autogenerate some thumbs- resize the main image to specs.  Maybe even simplify the interface so they don’t have to ‘place’ the filename- simply get an ‘upload succeeded- do you want to upload another image’ message (which might be tricky).

Blair, have you seen Solspace’s Gallery Extended module? We’re doing a ton of work with images and it’s been great so far.

Thanks.  I have seen both plugins from Solspace and the Gallery Extended module might be required to link additional photos to an entry.  I’ve used File for quite some time and really that’s all the functionality I’m looking for - though resizing and thumbs would be nice.  It’s too bad SAEF don’t work with it [easily].  I’m just not getting used to the transition from open-source to paying for everything.  Since this one is a personal project, I wanted to keep the budget lower.  Also, since there is no time table for this project I was waiting to see what the next version of EE helps with (agreeing with an article around here somewhere about loading your EE folders with plugins).

You jumped the gun on suggesting that though… I was going to read up on it then ask around the forums to how people like it… looks like I didn’t read fast enough 😊

hi blair, did you figure out the best solution for you?  i’m working on something similar and found this thread to be a great help, thanks!  i’ll probably modify phoebe’s extension to achieve what i need, but wanted to check with you.

did you come across the file upload module?  there is no documentation for it though so i have no idea whether its what i’m looking for.

Actually its a big gripe for me (especially not knowing PHP to make my own plugin).  None of the plugins I tried really did the trick, and while Solspace has provided helpful plugins, I have a hard time understanding how to use them.  In addition things like the file upload system requires CP access anyways, and the bloody calendar takes a plugin (which seems to mess up anyways).  So I used another method that essentially uses the control panel, but masks the system folder location and everything works just fine.  Slapped a new CP color scheme (which is another gripe… EE, what the nut were you thinking when you built the CP template?).  The thread is here:
http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/27973/
(genius I might add)

Also check out this crazy list of links: http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/64109/

i’ll probably modify phoebe’s extension to achieve what i need, but wanted to check with you.

did you come across the file upload module?  there is no documentation for it though so i have no idea whether its what i’m looking for.

I generally don’t mind paying for some 3rd party extras, but it’s a little kooky thinking of dropping over $30 for something with no docs. I think I could use it, but who knows. Solspace really could benefit by showing screenshots.

I think I missed it in the thread here…but what is Phoebe’s extension?

I generally don’t mind paying for some 3rd party extras, but it’s a little kooky thinking of dropping over $30 for something with no docs. I think I could use it, but who knows. Solspace really could benefit by showing screenshots.

Actually, concise docs are provided within the module itself and some sample code can be found on their forums. Having said that, I don’t know why their online documentation doesn’t include this module and an official sample repository wouldn’t hurt…

well i ended up developing a module to achieve the exact functionality i need.  i’m currently working on making it more generally usable and will post details next week.

I think I missed it in the thread here…but what is Phoebe’s extension?

phoebe’s extension: http://ellislab.com/forums/viewthread/61506/

Actually, concise docs are provided within the module itself and some sample code can be found on their forums. Having said that, I don’t know why their online documentation doesn’t include this module and an official sample repository wouldn’t hurt…

So I have to pay $35 to read the docs to see if it’s for me?  😜

I think Solspace should hire Leevi Graham to do the docs. Have you seen the docs Leevi is producing for his own plugins/extensions? Very nice with all the “how to use” and samples, and screenshots. Here’s a sample documentation page for his “Better Meta” extension. I mean, if I don’t know how to use it or whether or not it will work for my project by the time I get to the end of that page, then I’m off my rocker. (Nice work, Leevi!) If Solspace’s docs looked more like that, I’d bet there would be more “on-the-fence” people willing to purchase.

Anyway, I dropped $35 on the module earlier today, so I’ll toy around with it and see if it’s what I need. If not for this project, I’m sure I can use the download on another project at some point.

That’s the feedback I gave to Solspace.  To have someone else write his documentation with less technical experience.  That way they might be easier to follow.  Even if his plugin could do what I was looking for, I couldn’t figure it out.

Plus its one of a dozen issues I have with the SAEF.

So I have to pay $35 to read the docs to see if it’s for me?  😜

When I asked them for documentation, they offered to send me the module for evaluation. It’s a moot point for you, though 😉

For what it’s worth, I don’t disagree about the documentation per se. Solspace provides reference manuals only and a few tutorials would have saved me a lot of time.

i have developed a module that allows you and your site users to upload and view multiple images in an existing weblog entry.  it may not be exactly what you guys are looking for but it should be pretty close.

i have posted information about it in this thread.