Using upload helpers

There are three BSCW upload helpers that you may want to activate and use:

•      Drag & drop uploader,

•      JUploader applet and

•      BSCW Desktop client.

The drag & drop uploader and the BSCW Desktop client need prior activation via your user preferences.

Drag & drop uploader

If you use a Java-compliant browser, you may subscribe to a BSCW extension that enables you to upload files by ‘drag & drop’ (not available for all platforms and browsers). A specific icon will be placed prominently in the headers of your folder pages. Just drop a file onto this icon to upload it to the current folder. The extension also uploads groups of files – a feature not provided by the standard file upload function of today’s browsers.

Figure 10: BSCW header with internal uploader installed

If you intend to use the drag & drop uploader,

•      make sure that your Web browser supports Java (via Java Plug-in) and that this func­tionality is indeed activated,

•      click  Options    Preferences  in your top menu bar,

•      mark the check box ‘Use drag&drop uploader for file upload’ and confirm with [OK].

JUploader applet

Another upload helper, the JUploader applet, is available via  GoTo    Document Upload  in the top menu if all requirements are met (Java-compliant browser and platform). Alternatively, you may start the JUploader applet by clicking the  icon in the action shortcut bar.

Figure 11: JUploader applet

The JUploader applet opens in a new browser window and allows upload of multiple files into the currently selected folder. Files may be added to the selection by ‘drag & drop’ or by using the  file selection dialog. You may change the name of each file, add a description or change the document type (MIME type). Click the  icon to start the file upload process.

BSCW Desktop client

For users who wish to upload large numbers of documents at a time, BSCW Desktop is a very effective tool. Also, BSCW Desktop provides data protection and digital signatures for docu­ments in shared workspaces using the PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption method. BSCW Desktop is a local application that must first be installed on your computer. If you plan to use BSCW Desktop, follow the instructions given in 9.4 BSCW upload helpers.