[TribeLeader]

I'm part of a group looking to create sort of an open source website where registered users could upload files (graphics, presentations, audio files, etc.) for others to download for use in their line of work.

We also want to create preview images/thumbnails of each file (.ppt, .doc, etc.). What's the best way to do that (keeping in mind multiple users will upload files)? I suppose those who are running the site will need to create thumbnails, right? Is there a way to automate this or will it need to be done manually for each file? And, what application(s) would you recommend to achieve this?

Hope this makes sense. Thanks!

[mania]

take a look at this function http://us2.php.net/manual/en/functio...yresampled.php

or also look at imagemagick

[SirCastor]

I'd recommend imagemagik as well, or netPBM

[TribeLeader]

Thanks. I was looking at ImageMagick so I appreciate the recommendations.

[selowitch]

This inspires me to ask a related question:

Right now, I use an AppleScript (which calls Image Events and my FTP client, Transmit) to generate thumbnails and images, sort them into the correct directories, and upload/sync them to my website in one step. It's pretty groovy. I know I could probably use ImageMagick to generate the thumbnails automatically rather than storing two copies of each image, but this approach I've created is so delightfully easy that I wonder if changing it would be worth the bother.

[Love Calm Quiet]

Selo:
Are you marketing your AppleScript ...or wanting to open-source it?

<-- always up for learning from the coding of someone smarter!

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by Love Calm Quiet

Selo:
Are you marketing your AppleScript ...or wanting to open-source it?

<-- always up for learning from the coding of someone smarter!

Oh, heck no. It's just a simple script and I'm glad to share it. Here it is:

Code:
on open draggedItems
	repeat with currentFile in draggedItems
		tell application "System Events"
			set home_directory to (path to current user folder) as string
		end tell

-- change next two lines according to your needs
		set image_folder to (home_directory & "Sites:barridoff:2006:images")
		set thumbnail_folder to (home_directory & "Sites:barridoff:2006:thumbnails")

		set image_path to image_folder
		set thumbnail_path to thumbnail_folder
		try
			tell application "Image Events"
				launch
				set openedFile to open (currentFile as alias)
				set properties of openedFile to {bit depth:millions of colors, color space:RGB, resolution:{72.0, 72.0}}
				scale openedFile to size 750
				save openedFile as JPEG in image_path with icon
				scale openedFile to size 125
				save openedFile as JPEG in thumbnail_path with icon
				close openedFile
			end tell
		on error error_message
			display dialog error_message
		end try
	end repeat
end open

tell application "Transmit"
	set theDoc to (make new document)
	tell theDoc
		tell current session

-- change next three lines to suit your needs
			connect to favorite with name "Barridoff"
			set your stuff to "~/Sites/Barridoff/2006/"
			set their stuff to "2006/"

			list local folder
			list remote folder
			synchronize direction upload files method update
		end tell
	end tell
end tell

It's not that useful unless you have Transmit. I save it as droplet and it works awesomely.

[Love Calm Quiet]

Awesome, Selo.
That's very kind.

[Love Calm Quiet]

Selo:
PS: Thinking about your sig... Do you think we *could* get them all to gather in one place if we gave them a state? heh heh heh...

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by Love Calm Quiet

Selo:
PS: Thinking about your sig... Do you think we *could* get them all to gather in one place if we gave them a state? heh heh heh...

I wish Hamas no harm. I just want them to stop killing Jews for the sake of killing Jews (or for any other reason, for that matter).