File Store links

[ColinABQ]

I was going to make this a suggestion but changed my mind at the last minute – you’ll probably see why in a bit.
I’ve noted that the File Store links in WebMail can result in the WebMail interface (browser window or tab) being completely replaced by the linked file content. This depends on the type of file, of course. Some files will result in downloads instead (.exe or .zip), some in browser pop-ups requesting user assistance (unknown file types), etc. Let’s use a simple text file example: the user uploads a simple text file, with the .txt extension. They return later, go to their File Store, and left-click the link for the .txt file. Since the .txt mime type is handled natively by most browsers, their WebMail interface is going to vanish, being replaced with the content of the linked file.
Is that bad, really? With some users, yes, because they may then simply close that browser window or tab, rather than using “back,” thereby leaving a secure session flapping in the wind. How bad is that? Depends on your view, I suppose. It will eventually idle-out and take care of itself, maybe it’s no big deal. Meanwhile, if that user expected to continue their Web Mail session, well … such a user may not be able to figure this out.
Anyway, this happens because there is no target=”_whatever” statement in the File Store page code, and I see no way to manage that via the _filestore.html template. Here’s the rub, and here’s why this is not a suggestion in the other thread: I know from personal experience that when you use target=”_whatever” in links to Microsoft Office documents, or right-click them and select “Open in new window,” you can be in for an incredibly, inordinately, inexplicably long delay, even for very small and simple Office files. (That may be a Microsoft thing exclusively, or it may be true of certain other file types as well.) Therefore, using target=”_whatever” on such files is a really bad idea.
So, I have no solution to suggest, save making the File Store management code significantly more complex within the AMS program itself, allowing mime type management or some such. I am EXTREMELY reluctant to request or suggest such a change! Or, perhaps it is as simple as adding “Right-click to download” instructions to the template? Should we trust all users with that? I’m not so sure about that – that’s why I’m here, to solicit the opinions of Code-Crafters and this community.

[Code Crafters]

I understand your point that many browsers will simply show a text file in the browser window rather than downloading the file. You can, as you said, right click to open in a new tab or window which seems perfectly acceptable to me. You can also right click to "save target as" in Internet Explorer which will actually download and save the file to your computer as you would generally want anyway. I would recommend the proper download option.

I will forward your comments on to the team for this to be looked into and hopfeully we can alter the code to either properly download txt files or at least redirect them into a new window so that the you don't have to click the back button to continue your session. For security considerations, your session will timeout in minutes based on your "Idle Session Time-out" WebMail setting. You can also resume sessions by accessing your browsers history to get the most recently used URL.