Is there a trick to uploading an MP3 file to my website? Or even a better solution? I want to allow access to an MP3 file but allow access only to paid subscribers. I thought the best way to do this would be to upload the file to my site and then create a link on a secure page so only paying subscribers can hear it. Any help you can give would be appreciated. I tried the tutorials, but nothing hit me as relevant. Thanks, Bill Kidwell

That will work just fine. You could also put the link in a module that's visible only to the paying subscribers. Look at how the links to tutorials on this site appear only to subscribers.

If you have lots of items, you may find it easier to use something like the Documents module, the Repository module, or a module like DMX Pro or others.

I've even seen sites that use forums to distribute restricted files. Just create a forum that is restricted, and post a message with the restricted attachment to the message.

Joseph - Thanks, but I see my post was unclear. I tried to upload the MP3 and teh uplaod failed. No error message, but when I tried to find the file after it appeared to be completely uploaded it was not where to be found. So, is there a trick to uploading MP3's? Do I have to do something as an administrator or host to make sure MP3's are allowed? Thanks

Two things could go wrong.

First, mp3 might not be an allowed file type.  You should have received an error message if that is the case.  But, you can check and adjust the list of allowed file types on the Host Settings page.

Second, the file might be too large.  You adjust the maximum allowable file size by editing web.config.  The default value is 8 megs, if I recall correctly.

Joseph - I added the mp3 extenison to the list. It still diod not work. No error message but it did kick met to an IE Page Can't be displayed message after it was all"done". Where do I find the config file you menioned to increase the default size? My web files are stored on a remote server and I am not sure whether the config file you referenced is local and in Windows or where. Alss, if I have added the MP3 and can find the file to increase the size to something large enough to accomodate the 19 mb mp3 I'm trying to upload: 1) Should I set a file size larger than that to antiicpate otehr possible files later, and 2) what are the performance implications by taking the actions (mp3, files size increase) if I am able to figure out how. Do I need to know how to use FTP or Front Page to make a change to the config file if I can find it? Thanks, Thanks,

web.config is in the root directory of your DotNetNuke installation.  ALWAYS (!!) make a backup copy before you edit it.  ALWAYS!

"There is a file size limitation in the default web.config.  You can increase the file size easily.  You may wish to adjust the timeout setting as well.  Here are the default lines from the web.config for 4.3.2:

< !-- allow large file uploads - ->

< httpRuntime useFullyQualifiedRedirectUrl="true" maxRequestLength="8192" requestLengthDiskThreshold="8192"/ >

Change the maxRequestLength and requestLengthDiskThreshold to whatever you wish.  The default timeout is in the machine settings but you can override it here.  So here's an example, you could change it to this to allow 10 meg files with up to 20 minutes of time to upload:

< !-- allow large file uploads -- >

< httpRuntime useFullyQualifiedRedirectUrl="true" maxRequestLength="10240" requestLengthDiskThreshold="10240" executionTimeout="1200" / >"

This tutorial might be useful:  DotNetNuke File Manager

If you are going to be uploading a lot of large MP3 files you may find it is best to use FTP, make a note of the URLs to those files and then just add the URLs directly into a documents module.

Another consideration is if you are anticipating that the MP3 files will have a lot of traffic, it may be best to host them on a different server, such as Amazon S3. This will mean that when you have a large volume of downloads, it will not slow down your page load times on your main website - this may be a consideration for future use when your website is established.

Thanks,