Welcome to HTTP Vault, a puff file drop box. I developed this site to scratch an itch
I've had for a long time -- let's call it the
can't-send-that-damn-attachment-because-it's-too-big-for-Microsoft's-mail-server itch.
I'm also embarking on a rather complex web/database application for my day job, which
requires file uploads, so I've taken this opportunity to learn how to set up a website
you can upload files to, by practicing with this one. That's right: I get to scratch
my itch while doing some on-the-job training. Life couldn't be better...
The design of this online drop box is rather simple. You upload your file, and when
it's done uploading the website assigns your file two rather ugly numbers. These are
a unique file ID and a unique deletion code. You can e-mail the file ID to a friend
who can then use it to download the file from the site. Make sure you don't share
your file ID with anyone other than the person you want to send the file to. Once
the file is downloaded by your friend, you can remove the file from the server using
the deletion code.
On the file upload page, there is an e-mail field which is optional. If you enter
your e-mail address, you will get an e-mail notification of the file upload,
including those two ugly ID numbers for your records. You will also be notified
by e-mail every time your file is download, as well as when it's removed from
the server.
Regarding the files you upload: I strongly suggest you encrypt any file which
contains personal data. I assume no one in their right mind would ever upload
a file containing important personal information to any site on the internet (including
Google, Yahoo, Microsoft e-mail servers, etc.) without encrypting the file first.
And that goes for this website as well. You have been warned...
So why do I call it a "puff file drop box"? Well, I can't stand the term "cloud."
It's a horrible marketing ploy by the industry so that they can mine all your
personal information and online habits and sell all that information to the highest
bidder. A cloud conjures up images of a vast ether of digital storage, and my hat's
off to the marketing guy who coined the term. (Remember the "grid"? I guess
that term wasn't suitable for the general public.) So my "little web server that
could" is just as useful as any "cloud" out there, but it's a small little server,
so it's a small cloud, like a puff -- a puff file drop box.
One final note: NO ADS! I hate ads! The Internet has become a dumpster of ads that
drives me crazy every time I have to surf somewhere online. So on this web site,
you can upload your file and stare at my generic black-on-white design, ad-free!
Immerse yourself in the digital minimalism. :)
Enjoy the HTTP Vault puff file drop box!