Setting up and Using a Dropbox

Creating the dropbox folder

NetFiles can be used as a secure way for others to give you files without sending large attachments, putting the file in a public location, or other less convenient methods.

In general a dropbox means that people can write files to a location but cannot see the files in that location.

To make folder for this purpose in netfiles create the folder and add read and write permissions for the users that should be able to drop off files. You can use "users with accounts" if everyone can upload files to the folder. Apply the permissions to this directory only.

Example permissions on a drop box folder:

Also double check the inheritable permissions to make sure that the accounts that will drop off files will not inherit any rights to files in the new folder. The inheritable permissions may look like this:

Getting users to access your dropbox

To find you drop box you can provide users with the intellilink URL of the folder which can be found by clicking on the mange icon next to the folder . The Intellilink URL of my example folder is https://netfiles.umn.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-300251_1

After authenticating users can upload files by clicking the upload icon at the top of the page. After uploading the file NetFiles will provide a confirmation message that the upload was successful, but no file will be visible to the user.

Important considerations

Allowing people to write to a folder may allow them to fill up your space. Prevent this by setting a reasonable quota by click on the manage icon next the folder name and then click on the quota link under the Directory Properties section.

Never allow unauthenticated users (public) to read and write to the same folder. The potential for abuse is high and you are responsible for your own space.