File hyperlink - how to force "file save as" in browser?

[Motoman]

Using FrontPage 2003, I'd like to have a hyperlink that attaches to a file
(in this specific case, a .mpg - but whatever) NOT automatically open the
file, but rather spawn the browser's "file save or open" dialog, so that the
user can choose whether they want to just download the file, or open it.

How can I do this?

 

[Murray]

Zip the file first. Then link to the zipped file. Other methods will be
much more complex than this simple one.

 

[Motoman]

Thanks...but I don't have any expectation that the average joe one the
interweb is going to have the slightest clue what to do with a zip
file...most non-IT people I know are still baffled by "double-click."

 

[Mark Fitzpatrick]

Still, that's the only way to do it since a zip file is not associated with
any sort of viewer that the browser knows what to do with. WindowsXP does at
least have the ability to view and open zip files so that makes it much
easier than before. But, most users at this point are pretty familiar with
this method since this is one of the main ways that people offer files for
download or viewing.

Hope this helps,
Mark Fitzpatrick
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

I recently discovered that my 82 yr old mom knows what a .zip file is and
how to unzip...shocked the heck outta me, especially since 3 years ago she
thought that the police were on their way to her house because her machine
displayed: "This program has performed an illegal operation....and must shut
down" error.

sheet...I laughed for a week on that one.



--

Rob Giordano
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage





| Still, that's the only way to do it since a zip file is not associated
with
| any sort of viewer that the browser knows what to do with. WindowsXP does
at
| least have the ability to view and open zip files so that makes it much
| easier than before. But, most users at this point are pretty familiar with
| this method since this is one of the main ways that people offer files for
| download or viewing.
|
| Hope this helps,
| Mark Fitzpatrick
| Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
|
| | > Thanks...but I don't have any expectation that the average joe one the
| > interweb is going to have the slightest clue what to do with a zip
| > file...most non-IT people I know are still baffled by "double-click."
|
|

 

[Murray]

Heh....

 

[Murray]

OK - then your alternative is to use server-side scripting to change the
headers for the file so that its mime type specifies that it be downloaded.

Take your pick....