Downloads addons, extenstions, tools, etc. are ranked among devs as most imporant to producing CMS.
I've got a site that is currently using the Joomla, just for the Docman module. THe module manages downloads very well from both the user and admin side.
There are advantages:
It has multi-tiered categories and a search tool.
There is sufficient information required of users to upload files(not too much), along with a good editor and image uploads.
The user can submit files with a simple clickon and then upload directly from computer files, URL or other site.
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I looked at the Drupal Project module for doing a downloads section and I've pretty well determined I will have to use some type of php standalone application i.e, Olate downloads, or PFilesdb or something along those lines.
The standalone application would probably have to be accessed via an iframe to get a good downloads section using Drupal. My understanding is the search bots don't like iframes and don't go there. I have a very large downloads sections on the site I'm thinking of as I write this... 18,000+ files. That is one heck of a lot of well described content that is "not" going to be available for proper indexing without doing workarounds in Drupal.
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From what I've seen and used of the Project module as applied on this site it is a good starting module code wise. Users just don't need to put up all the required information of the project module, and they need to have access to a good editor, with the ability to upload images. Thumbnails from images, as well as a very broad set of permissions down to user level are important as well. Single and batch uploads should be a requirement, unless the module can pick up on files uploaded via FTP batches and integrate them without to much trouble.
Good statistics are a must.
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I don't think I'm alone about this. The Docman component is one of the 10 most popular Joomla extentions, and it is a "downloads module" that is user friendly and has great admin tools built into it.
IMO,a competent downloads module would be an important, well received addition to Drupal.
Comments
I must have missed something
Am I the only one that thinks a competent downloads modules is needed for Drupal?
There is a lot going on with Drupal, I give you that.
Sure I'd like an all inclusive Drupal tool that would allow me to think Drupal for all my sites.
That is probably too much to expect.
There are plenty of exceptional tools for Drupal, so I guess I'll keep to the track this train runs on.
I'll continue to use other CMS for other things, and Drupal for projects that work well with Drupal.
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I keep licking my chops over things like the Taxonomy and CCK, Views and the great way Drupal accomdates SEO.
I hate leaving all that kick tail good stuff for building sites using a Joomla... LOL
no you are definitely not
no you are definitely not the only one, but i'm sure someone is working on one