Greg B - you didn't have to delete your post. You can 'undelete' it if you like. I don't mind you folks discussing attachments. I just wanted to pull the threads together in case anyone wasn't aware of the list. Some folks don't frequent threads in this forum.
In fact, some discussion would be beneficial. What files are really good and worth a look?
A serious gap in this software is a way for people to see what attachments there are and, basically, the stuff on the list such as who posted it, how many times downloaded, etc. The list is from a view I - as an administrator - can get. I *hope* to find a way to put in a link where users can get the same view.
Personally I'd like a way to view attachments by forum and am looking at a way to hack that in.
Atul - you're the software person - any ideas? If you need to see the files I can send you a copy to look at and set up on a test board.
There is something like this for forums with photos - it's basically a scrapbook like addition. But I haven't seen it done for attachments to posts.
So - for now, about once a month I'll update the list. Yes - it does take some time. I have to copy the source from my browser, paste it into BBEdit, clean it up (actually it's a 'view' for me to 'manage' attachments which has delete links and such that I have to remove), import it into Excel so I can easily number the files and sort by name, export it from Excel and then clean THAT file up including fixing all the links and then posting the file. I don't mind spending the time and in part is why I started charging to access attachments in March 2003. Not specifically to make that list, but my time to maintain the site, in addition to the server costs then and related issues, made it sensible.
Luckily the advertising is working well - which is why I opened up access to post attachments in the business forums to every registered user - no contribution required. I never wanted to charge, but the site doesn't self maintain as it did a few years back. So - visit an advertiser now and again and see what they have to offer and things like the 'Monthly List' will continue until I find a way to let users do a listing themselves. I don't see that on vBulletin's list of 'to incorporate' features for the next version (heck - this one's not even 'gold' yet).
How much time did you put into this list? I have spent literallly hours looking for a particular attachment and you have shortened the time considerably for future work.
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