The process we have now for uploading the files is far more efficient to what we used to use. Uploading as attachments was laboriously slow because this was done one file at a time. The maximum upload limit per file was 2MB - a lot of files we received were in far excess of this and these required re-sizing which was also done individually.
I also had other problems with attachments - for some reason after I'd upload a few I'd get locked out of the site for a couple of hours which was a right pain.
It was Liam's idea to upload to a server instead, and this was about the same time when we started watermarking our content. I can watermark in batches so this doesn't take any time up really. Uploading to the server is also done in batches so this isn't really a problem either. What takes the time is renaming the files so they make suitable URL's. I was informed that having spaces and punctuation in URL's should be avoided, so I've tried to use the same format throughout. Inputting the URL's into the forum post is done individually, and this can take some time if there are quite a few.
Out of the donation last night of 6184 files, I've only managed to get 139 online to the server before we reached maximum capacity. Much of the 139 files that made it through is United and TMS content for the Middlesbrough/Stockton/Redcar/Saltburn/Darlington/Bishop Auckland areas so I really want to get them linked in quite soon. One of them is a 1992 X14 timetable which is a broadly similar route to today's OK1. Despite the total of 6184 files that were going to make it online, I've been informed that are potentially more on offer; so while it makes sense to have a "quick-fix", I think we need a more permanent solution.
I like the idea of having the files online for a limited time, and then making available to viewing "on demand", but I don't think it's really feasible. While people may have a vested interest in the old material, I'm not sure if people would want to contact me for me to send them. I like the idea of having them online all the time so people can take a leisurely browse at their convenience.
The admin team know that the site has grown tremendously and our reach has broadened a great deal in recent months. I'm just worried that starting to remove the files would be a step backwards. I'm really encouraged by the results of the poll and I want to make steps towards deciding on a package to take forward to increase our storage capacity.
I've got a lot going on at home at the moment with an imminent move on the horizon, so I'll try to get these 139 files online within the next few days
