Help needed: Web-based file "drop box"

[bluebomberman]

I was wondering if any of you can help me with a problem I have at work. I need a web-based method for students to transmit large MSOffice files to me. There needs to be a timestamp and little room for error.

I've ruled out using our school's email systems: slow, limited attachment size, and a high error rate (mostly due to incorrectly typing in my email address; unfortunately, it's an incredibly convenient backdoor method of handing in stuff late without penalty.)

The reaosn this is happening is because I'm ordered to stop using our flaky Blackboard server. Of course, they don't bother setting up an alternative for me. Plus, the computer lab's desktops cannot install programsso I'd have to hound the admin continuously for days. I can pressure the admins to get FTP access software installed, but FTP's not the most elegant way to send assignments in.

Any ideas?

 

[CanadaRAM]

You can do this with some PHP programming, if your web host has PHP installed. It may take modifying some parameters on the web server as well.

Talk to the ISP, or if you want this done commercially, my host's programmer has built exactly this for several clients of ours and can rig you up with it for a reasonable price.

 

[bluebomberman]

You can do this with some PHP programming, if your web host has PHP installed. It may take modifying some parameters on the web server as well.

Talk to the ISP, or if you want this done commercially, my host's programmer has built exactly this for several clients of ours and can rig you up with it for a reasonable price.

Ugh. Doesn't sound easy. What's a "reasonable price?" I am a public school teacher, you know, so I'd rather not spend barrels of money on this. I'd rather pass out USB flash drives in class...

Thanks for your help!

 

[CanadaRAM]

Ugh. Doesn't sound easy. What's a "reasonable price?" I am a public school teacher, you know, so I'd rather not spend barrels of money on this. I'd rather pass out USB flash drives in class...

Obviously it will vary depending on your setup, but probably about $100
It will require password access to the ISP account and of course the host has to be running appropriate server software such as PHP

 

[belvdr]

You might find a pre-written solution for free. I'd google around for this as it seems this would be something many people would like to have.