After much deliberation as to how to get the Flash File Uploader to work correctly in Safari on Macs, Mike and I decided to redevelop the filetype authorization to work with both file extensions as well as MIME types. This means that if the Uploader can distinguish filetypes, it will continue as before. If the filetype is returned as undefined, the Actionscript looks to the file extension to deem authorization.

Now I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it does create a security hole for users. Anyone wanting to upload malicious files may now simply change the extension of their virus and the PHP and Uploader treat it as benign. This is why my previous disclaimer still should be read, understood, and agreed to prior to downloading the .zip file with the Flash Uploader Installation Files. I don’t want anyone coming back to me with issues of malicious files on their server. Please, install at your own risk.

That being said, the New Flash File Uploader now has some pretty fun new features, aside from working in Safari. Below the uploader, there is a list of files that have been uploaded with a toggle to auto-thumbnail images on the server and display all information provided in the id3, MIME types and other metadata information. Movies won’t auto-thumbnail unless your host allows you to install FFmpeg on their server, where many won’t allow this (Cirtex does!) because of server load restrictions. Also, the index.php and Flash FLA file are both constructed so that you can skin them easily and quickly to match your application/site design.

Note that I can’t, unfortunately, suppress the alert that says “A flash script on this page is causing problems…” because it’s controlled by the browser and plug-in, and if you do click “Yes” to cancel the script, your large uploads will hang. Also, some of the tutorial on the following link may be a little outdated because of the new modifications to the script.

Special thanks goes out to Mike for taking over this project, which has already been retooled and sold to a number of clients as well as generated a ton of emails and comments from donline and era404 readers.

Enjoy! Comments and feedback always welcome.

Flash File Uploader Links
Flash File Uploader Installation Files
Flash File Uploader Example

Ack! This little checkbox has wreaked so much havoc on my life for the past two months.I got FaxTalk Messenger Pro v7.0 last year and really enjoyed it. When calls came in and I was out of the office or on the cell phone, the messages were sorted to the correct mailbox and stored by name, number and time of call. It was perfect for both voicemails and faxes because I could just forward the .wav file (VM) or .pdf (Fax) to whomever needed it and everyone was happy. It also prevented those annoying anonymous voicemails of “Hey, it’s me. Call me back when you have a chance,” where I had to scroll through the Caller ID list to try to figure out if it was a friend or a client that called and didn’t bother leaving a name. I hate that. Read the rest of this entry »

A few months ago, I posted a blurb about subliminal advertising in use today (See: Subliminal Advertising) in reference to the Heineken Light labels that looked strangely phallic.

Recently, I saw this video on Youtube that, while funny, really has nothing to do with the product it’s promoting—Rolling Rock. The most interesting thing about it, however, is the logo plate at the end. If I thought that the Heineken Light labels were subliminally phallic, I must consider this plate to be a superliminal advertisement.

07/11/2007 - Video Updated
They removed the second “ball” from the logo plate on the Rolling Rock site. How very interesting…

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Reinvigorate WordPress Plug-In
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Chris bugged me about these Fantastico update notices he kept getting by email and I alleviated his inbox by updating Donline (using Wordpress) and the Citarella Family Gallery (using Coppermine) to their newer versions. Naturally, all the stylesheets and images were reverted back to the defaults.

Hence the stimulus to redesign Donline, which had looked the same since its inception in 2002. This design is based on the theme Blackish, found here. That top image up there will change from time to time to keep the site feeling fresh, and so that I don’t feel bored with it. The current picture was taken in Cape May last September, but it might very well have been updated by the time you read this. Interestingly, it also sorta matches the Flash File Uploader I created a few weeks back.

What do you think about the new design? I’d love to hear your thoughts…