.pdf documents in webpages for download?

[Thomboy]

Just read "How to link a .pdf document to a webpage for downloading" and all
33 postings (11/7/2005), and reread notes to myself from a year ago, but need
some review of my own step by step directions.

After installing a new motherboard and two hard drives, none of my old .pdf
documents kept in a folder called, "downloads," were moved onto the new C
drives, so I must begin again.

Let me see if my OLD memory is correct:

1) Create a folder on the C-Drive called, /downloads/

Just read another of DavidF's repsponses, that reads:

"Then I would suggest that you put the folder where the PDF files will be in
the same directory or folder that contains your index.htm file, and
index_files folder that are generated when you Publish to the Web from your
Publisher document. Then using Filezilla, you can upload your PDF files to
your folder."

QUESTION: Is David suggesting that I merely create a sub-folder inside of
the folder calleld /downloads/ where my index.htm file and my index_files
folder resides? Not to sound really stupid, but isn't the C-drive the
directory he is referring to?

2) In the /downloads/ folder, copy and paste all of the .pdf files you want
to be printable at the website.

3) Be sure not to forget to use the .pdf file extension for all the files
you copied and pasted into the /downlaods/ folder.

4) Go to the correct page of my PUB file (For example: HOA Website1.pub)
and right click on the file you want to be printable at the website, then
chose "hyperlink," and create a link with "Existing File or Web Page" AND
"Current Folder" highlighted (for example) to read:
/downloads/Bylaws_LCNII_6.pdf

Note: When you use right slanting marks, Microsoft will change them to left
slanting marks by default.

QUESTION: Once done and the Filezilla client opens, and you look at the
C-Step or Drive, you should see the downloads, the index_files, and index.htm
ready to upload?

I followed this process for a new .pdf file, and when I look at the link in
my pub file, I see:
HTTP://WWW.LCN-HOA.COM/HOA_WEB_DOWNLOADS/Letter_to_landfill_director_3-5-10.pdf.

The other legal documents when I click on edit to see one of them show:

\downloads\AMENDED_&_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf

What went wrong with the new .pdf file, because I cannot read or see it once
I use Filezilla Client and upload the changes to my website?

Thanks, Thomboy

 

[Rob Giordano [MS MVP]]

Does this folder; HOA_WEB_DOWNLOADS actually exist in your live website?
Your other downloads are in "downloads" I believe

 

[Thomboy]

No, but it is one of the six .pdf files in the folder on my C-Drive, called,
"HOA Downloads"; it also shows up when I look at all the files in the folder
below HOA DOWNLOADS, called, HOA index file(s) on my C-Drive.

Funny thing, though, it is the last .pdf file below all the index images and
index_pages, while the other five .pdf files are at the top.

I am using Publisher 2007, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

Sorry, Rob, that I cannot tell you. How might I answer your question?

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

You are going to think this is a crazy question, but all the files in my HOA
DOWNLOADS folder (and there are only five) have spaces between wording. I
know that you, Spike or David tried to persuade me NOT to use spaces, because
then I would have to use an underscore between the wording to create the
links in my .pub file.

For example, one of the links for a .pdf file has the following wording:
/HOA_DOWNLOADS/Landfill_Letter.pdf

I think DavidF said it should look like this:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/Landfill_Letter.pdf

Which is correct if I want the five .pdf files to load when I go to Go Daddy
(Filezilla Client) and upload the changes to my website, which is:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com

Thanks for the help, Thomboy

 

[DavidF]

I really don't understand why you continue to complicate things. You choose
to ignore my most recent post 3/22/10 about how to accomplish all of this
and I refuse to go back and try to sort out a year old thread of information
that obviously left you confused, so I will try a different approach.

The first thing I want you to do is to make a small, insignificant change to
your Publisher file on your home page and one other page such as you Contact
Us page. Add an additional period to a sentence, make a typo error or add an
extra word or whatever...I don't care...just make a change to the two pages.
Then Publish to the Web and produce a new set of web files: the "index.htm"
file and the "index_files" folder. Then figure out how to upload the new
index.htm file and the index_files folder from your local computer to your
web host server using FileZilla. There are probably instructions within
FileZilla Help and there lots of help available here:
http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Documentation. Once you are successful and
understand how to do this, then change your Publisher file back to how it
was. Publish to the Web and upload your new index.htm file and index_files
folder to your server a second time. Once you have successfully completed
this exercise, and then post back here for the second step.

DavidF

 

[Thomboy]

David, I did not ignore it, but when you talked about creating a folder on
web server and to create a folder called "downloads" that is where I lost
you, not that I didn't understand, but I couldn't remember doing this way
back then. I am not trying to make things difficult, and while it may seem
so, this is not my intent.

Your 3/22 document was clear enough, but again, I did not remember logging
on to my web server, and while I read your reply several times, it just
didn't click.

I will try to get it done, and thanks for the reply, and please forgive me
for asking again. I will visit Go Daddy and try to find the documents that
explain this process.

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

Sorry, I meant to say I will read the info at Filezilla, using the link you
provided.

I as hit by a car riding my road bike, and just got out of surgery seven
days ago. I want to think that the pain meds are clouding my mind, but it
appears to be clouded most of the time without the excuse.

I should have done the work to my website before the bike accident, after
your 3/22 posting, when my mind was OK. Now, I have lots of time on my hands
recuperating & will get the job done, but my thinking process isn't quite
back to normal. Having said that, I will go back and reread your 3/22 post
till I get it.

Thanks, and forgive me for coming back again, Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

OK, David, I read the Filezilla documents, and then made the changes to my
..pub file, and saw the "HOA DOWNLOADS" folder and both the "index.htm" and
the "index_file at Filezilla." I then moved them into the uploadable side of
Filezilla, below where Filezilla allows you to see the folders on your C
Drive, and highlighted them all, then put my cursor over the three, and
clicked upload.

The changes I wanted to my .pub file all were completed without error, but
now all of my .pdf files, and there are five, in two different web pages,
don't show when clicked while viewing the website using IE8.

I know it is a link issue and the way I designated them.

For example: The link to the first legal document is:
/HOA_DOWNLOADS/AMENDED_AND_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf

Something tells me it should be:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/AMENDED_AND_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf

Thanks for looking at my stuff again, and don't hesitate to chew me out when
I need it, which lately has been often

Thomboy

 

[DavidF]

Thomboy,

Sorry to hear about the bike accident and I do understand that you are not
making things difficult on purpose. Sometimes it just takes a while to wrap
your head around things and I remember from what you said before that you
only infrequently update your website, so even that process is unclear to
you. That is why I wanted to start with the basic exercise of updating your
website and learning or relearning how to use FileZilla. If you have those
basics down, then we can build on that.

You have jumped ahead, but I want to take a step back. I think it is
important that we use the same terminology...you keep using C drive and I
prefer 'local' because you seem to get so confused with the difference
between your C drive and your web server. So I am going to assume that you
were able to complete the first exercise, and now I want you to load:
http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en) . Now
scroll down to the Navigation and window layout section. Lets be clear that
the left column in FileZilla is the local site pane which displays all the
files and folders/directories on your local computer...what you want to call
your C drive. The right hand column is the server pane or remote site pane,
and shows all the files and folders/directories on your web server. Now
switch to http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using and scroll down to
Navigating on the server section where the screen capture of the filezilla
window is a bit more clear than on the tutorial page.

Note in the local pane that the example is showing the directory tree for
D:\dev\mingw in the local site. This particular computer in the example has
a D drive on their local computer in addition to the C drive...that is why I
prefer to use local. Anyway, now look at the Remote site, the left column,
the server pane. The "root directory" or root folder is a folder called
"public_html" in the example. When you log on to your sever on GoDaddy I
think you do not have this folder...that it is blank and there is just a
forward slash, correct? Now below the forward slash or within the root
directory you should see your 'index_files" folder that you created with
Publisher, correct? Also look below the server pane in the filename pane and
you should also find your index.htm file and probably some other misc. site
files that GoDaddy has put there. There may even be other folders in the
remote site pane that are from godaddy.

Now when you look at the remote site pane do you see a folder called
"HOA_DOWNLOADS"? According to your post you tried to upload that folder with
the "AMENDED_AND_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf" file within it. If you were
successful then it should be right there at the same directory level as the
"index_files" folder. If it is there, click/highlight it and if it has the
pdf file within it, it should show in the Filename pane. The fact that your
link:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/AMENDED_AND_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf
does not work suggests one of two things. Either you did not upload the
folder and pdf file to the correct location on the server, or the file is
not loading because the link is not written correctly. Your webhost may be
case sensitive, so check to confirm that your "HOA_DOWNLOADS" folder is
indeed upper case and your pdf file is mixed case. And as I have said
before you really should not be using upper case in this way. It is too easy
to screw up. I don't like underscores either.

Now here is your next exercise. Rather than take any more time trying to
figure out what you did wrong here is what I want you to do. Right click
your desktop > New > folder and call the folder "downloads" without the
quotes. Now make a copy of your "AMENDED_AND_RESTATED_BYLAWS_Signed.pdf"
file and paste it inside your new downloads folder. Right click the pdf file
and rename it "test.pdf". Now you should have a folder sitting on your
desktop called "downloads" with a "test.pdf" file within it.

Log on to your server with FileZilla. In the local site pane find the
"downloads" folder on your desktop. Left click and select it and drag it
over and drop it on the root directory on the Remote site pane and it should
start to upload. When it is finished uploading the "downloads" folder
should appear on the remote or server site pane at the same directory level
as your "index_files folder. Then the following link should work:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/downloads/test.pdf

Post back when you get the exercise completed and the link works.

DavidF

 

[Thomboy]

David:

I have one important thing to say.

I don't deserve your help, and all the time you took to give me the
instructions for getting my website updated. Also, thanks for clarifying the
left and right side of the Filezilla; the left column in FileZilla is the
local site pane and the right side is the server pane or remote site pane,
and shows all the files and folders/directories on your web server. Correct
terminology is important to me as well; otherwise communication is choppy at
best.

Also, exercise 2 is clear and way more detailed than I deserve. It took you
a ton of time, and I know that. So, when I report back, tomorrow by noon, I
will have completed exercise 2 with my results, which I know will be done the
way I wished they were done today

One is never too old to learn, or better, to be more careful where I ride!

The worst thing about the accident is that the car drove away "hit and run,"
and I was left laying in a pool of blood, but I survived and I will ride
again.

Thanks, Thomboy

 

[Rob Giordano [MS MVP]]

HOA_DOWNLOADS folder does not exist on the server
downloads folder does not exist on the server





--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rob Giordano
Microsoft MVP Expression Web

 

[DavidF]

Thomboy,

Of course you deserve help, and part of the problem here is mine. Sometimes
I think I am being very clear and complete in my posts and the reality is
that I am not. I just noticed in the previous post that at one point I
referred to the server pane being the "left" column....and it is actually
the right. When I typed the post, I knew what I meant but obviously that was
not what I wrote and communicated. The good thing here is that you have
taken the time to say that you did not understand what I was trying to say,
and while that might frustrate me a bit it also gives me the opportunity to
find another way to communicate what I am trying to say so that you can
understand. What I fear is that there are way too many other times where I
have been unclear and confusing and the person I was trying to help just
gave up out of frustration. I just hope that there aren't too many of those
people...

I want to make another point here. While I was suggesting that you drag and
drop your files and folders from the local pane to the server pane in
FileZilla, some people will find that a clumsy way to upload their files.
Read about the various ways you can select the files and folders on your
local computer and upload them to the web server on the
http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using page. There are many different ways
and you might find one that is easier for you than dragging and dropping.
Also I think taking the time to read and understand the material on
http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en) is worth
your time. Once you get comfortable uploading files and folders to your web
server and understand how the root directory is structured, you should be
able to write links to those pdf files...and once again, I suggest that you
write full path, or absolute links to those files rather than relative
links. I think you are less likely to get confused.

Good luck and take your time. Obviously you need to heal up and neither I or
the other people that help out in this group are going anywhere.

DavidF

 

[Thomboy]

Rob, it did before I started making changes to my .pub file, and then
uploaded the changes to the website. But, I think what David is saying "I
suggest that you write full path, or absolute links to those files rather
than relative links" is the reason I no longer see them.

I am embarrased to say that I don't know the difference between a full path
(is that using http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/Name of file) versus a
relative link (is this like what I have done: /HOA_DONWLOADS/name of file?

Still learning my friend, Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

David, sorry I didn't get to the exercixe this morning, but I have an
infection in the wound site so more medication, and rest are needed.

I am going to try to read the newest files you suggest this afternoon after
a brief nap.

I replied to Rob in the next post about writng the links correctly: absolute
versus relative. I think I understand the difference, but you might look at
my reply to Rob to see if that is true.

Also, I will read the file you suggest
<http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using> AND the other Filezilla file
<http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en)> and try to
get up to speed again.

I am not loafing, just a bit weary.

I am reading everything, and certainly understand, but like the old saying
goes, my mind is willing, but my body is weak.

Don't give up on me; I will start refreshed and read everything you have
suggested and will complete exercise #2.

Communication is a difficult attribute in the management literature, just
like problem-solving, team-building and managing change. That is why so many
books are written about communication, because as you say, we don't all
interpret the spoken or even written word the same.

Thanks for the help, and I will return soon.

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

Rob, I replied a little earlier to you, but as yet, I don't see my reply as a
post, so here goes again.

Yes, it did exist before I made changes to my website, during the last go
round, then all of my .pdf files were lost, i.e. none of them are readable at
the website when one clicks on the name of the folder.

It may have something to do with what David mentioned to me in the post
before yours: that I should "write the full path, or absolute links to those
files rather than relative links".

I think the absolute links begin with the website address:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/name of /.pdf file name VERSUS relative
links that exclude the website address, and begin with /HOA_DOWNLOADS/.pdf
file name.

Am I making a correct assumption?

Thanks for reading my posts, and making suggetions.

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

Rob, I replied a little earlier to you, but as yet, I don't see my reply as a
post, so here goes again a third time.

Yes, it did exist before I made changes to my website, during the last go
round, then all of my .pdf files were lost, i.e. none of them are readable at
the website when one clicks on the name of the folder.

It may have something to do with what David mentioned to me in the post
before yours: that I should "write the full path, or absolute links to those
files rather than relative links".

I think the absolute links begin with the website address:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/name of /.pdf file name VERSUS relative
links that exclude the website address, and begin with /HOA_DOWNLOADS/.pdf
file name.

Am I making a correct assumption?

Thanks for reading my posts, and making suggetions.

Thomboy

 

[Thomboy]

SORRY, ROB, THIS IS A DUPLICATE, BUT WRITTEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN MY FIRST
REPLY TO YOU.

THOMBOY

 

[Thomboy]

SORRY, ROB, THIS IS A DUPLICATE!!

Tomboy

Rob, I replied a little earlier to you, but as yet, I don't see my reply as a
post, so here goes again a third time.

Yes, it did exist before I made changes to my website, during the last go
round, then all of my .pdf files were lost, i.e. none of them are readable at
the website when one clicks on the name of the folder.

It may have something to do with what David mentioned to me in the post
before yours: that I should "write the full path, or absolute links to those
files rather than relative links".

I think the absolute links begin with the website address:
http://www.lcn-hoa.com/HOA_DOWNLOADS/name of /.pdf file name VERSUS relative
links that exclude the website address, and begin with /HOA_DOWNLOADS/.pdf
file name.

Am I making a correct assumption?

Thanks for reading my posts, and making suggetions.

Thomboy

 

[Rob Giordano [MS MVP]]

ok,
it doesn't matter HOW (absolute or relative) you wrote the links if the
folder that you are writing the links to does not exist on the server.


--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rob Giordano
Microsoft MVP Expression Web