Introduction
FileMan users who are unfamiliar with file management should read this section to gain a basic understanding of directories, paths, and other related concepts. Users who feel confident in their understanding of these concepts can proceed to the next three sections, which will deal with FileMan's structure and features.
File management is key to all computer systems, from basic home PC's to elaborate servers. A well-structured system of files not only enables you to find resources quickly and easily, but also lets you provide web access to files you wish to make accessible online.
Files are organized using directories (folders). Directories contain files and other directories. When using FileMan, you will have one root directory which will contain all other directories and files. It might help to visualize your directory structure as a sort of tree diagram, with directories and files "branching down" from your one root directory.
This illustration shows the structure of a hypothetical web domain account. In FileMan, as well as many other applications, file locations are specified using paths. Paths are strings of text that define the location of a file by providing the name of each directory and sub-directory (separated by forward slashes) that must be opened to find the file. Paths usually begin with a forward slash: /. The forward slash symbolizes the root directory. The path to the "currentlogo.jpg" file in this illustration would be:
since the "currentlogo.jpg" file is found in the "logos" directory, found in the "images" folder which is itself located in the root directory.
FileMan allows you to view and manage your files using directories and paths. While managing files in FileMan, the path to a directory will be displayed in the Toolbar (see below for details), with all of the files and directories in that directory displayed in the Files menu (see below for details).
It is recommended that you do not use any blank spaces while naming directories or files; some web browsers cannot process them. It is also recommended that you do not use upper-case letters in directory and file names; paths are case sensitive online, and upper-case letters are usually avoided to avoid confusion.
Interface
There are three main components of FileMan: the Toolbar (appears at the top of the page), the Files menu (the list of directories, files and statistics in the middle of the page) and the Actions menu (the drop-down menu at the top of the Files menu). While these three components do not operate separately from one another, they and their features will be discussed separately for the purposes of organization.
A sample FileMan v.3 window.
The Files Menu
The Files Menu displays the files and directories in the directory you are viewing and provides detailed information about each of them through a series of columns. The checkboxes at the left of the Files Menu allows you to select files or directories for the commands found in the Actions menu (the drop-down menu displaying "More Actions" in the above screenshot). Clicking the checkbox at the top of the menu automatically selects all displayed files and directories.
File Name
The file/folder name is listed in this column. Clicking the "Name" heading will sort the files and directories by file name in ascending order. Clicking the "Name" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order.
File Size
The file size of each file is listed in this column. Clicking the "Size" heading will sort the files and directories by file size in ascending order. Clicking the "Size" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order.
File Type
The file type of each file (directories are called "file folder"s) is listed in this column. Clicking the "File Type" heading will sort the files and directories by file type in ascending alphabetical order. Clicking the "File Type" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order.
Modified
The date that each file or directory was last modified is listed in this column. Clicking the "Modified" heading will sort the files and directories by modification date in ascending order. Clicking the "Modified" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order.
Owner
The username of the owner of each file and directory is listed in this column. Clicking the "Owner" heading will sort the files and directories by owner in ascending alphabetical order. Clicking the "Owner" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order.
Permissions
The permission settings of each file and directory are listed in this column. Clicking the "Permissions" heading will sort the files and directories by permission settings in ascending alphabetical order. Clicking the "Permissions" heading a second time will sort them in descending alphabetical order. Clicking on the permission settings of a specific file or directory will display a form allowing you to modify the file or directory's permission settings by checking individual permissions or by entering the numeric code for the desired permissions. If you need more information, a tutorial explaining how to configure permissions is available here: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/web/permissions/
The Toolbar
The Toolbar displays the directory location you are currently viewing in FileMan, as well as a series of tools that allow you to manage your files. Click on "The Toolbar" in the navigation menu at the left of this help page for information on specific Toolbar functions.
In the top left corner of the Toolbar, the location of the directory you are currently viewing will be displayed; /templates/luna would be a possible location. Thus, all files and directories in that location will be displayed in the Files menu (see below for details). You can click on any of the directory names listed in the location to view a specific directory.
The Toolbar.
The text field in the top right corner of the Toolbar allows you to open a directory found in the location currently being displayed. If you are viewing a directory which contains another directory called "images", for example, entering "images" in the field and clicking "Go" will open the "images" directory and display its contents in the Files menu.
The Actions Menu
The Actions Menu drops-down to allow you to perform various actions on files and directories you select via checkboxes in the Files Menu. Click on "The Actions" in the navigation menu at the left of this help page for information on specific actions.
The Actions Menu.
Multi-User Version
The multi-user version of FileMan v.3 features a dropdown menu for directories, allowing users to choose which path they wish to work in. Simply click on the down-pointing green arrow beside the directory name and a list of accessible directories will appear.
Access to these directories is defined by the admin in the "Users Manager" option in the Tools link. Enter the paths to the directories that you want the user to have access to in the "Access Directories" section.
Logout
Clicking the "Logout" link will sign you out of your current FileMan session and return you to the login page.
The Toolbar
The commands available to you in the Toolbar are your primary methods of managing the files and directories on your FileMan installation. Click on the names of specific commands to learn more about them individually.
Actions
The Command Bar allows you to perform commands and actions upon files and directories that you have selected in the Files menu. Each action is listed in the "More Actions" dropdown menu.
Settings
Clicking the "Settings" link displays a drop-down list of sub-menus allowing you to customize your FileMan installation.
Setup
<%include help_setup.html%>Change Password
<%include help_password.html%>Preferences
<%include help_preferences.html%>Users Managerment
<%include help_user.html%>Browser Logs
<%include help_logs.html%>Environment
The "Environment" link displays a detailed list of system information about your FileMan installation. This list can be useful for identifying system errors.
Search
Replace
Command
Upload
New File
New Folder
Protect
Download
<%include help_download.html%>Symlink
<%include help_symlink.html%>
Copy
<%include help_copy.html%>
Move
<%include help_move.html%>
Rename
<%include help_rename.html%>
Delete
After checking off one or more files or directories, selecting the "Delete" option will permanently delete them. If you've selected multiple files, you can choose to skip the deletion of individual files you've mistakenly checked, or to delete all files simultaneously.
Compress
<%include help_compress.html%>
Uncompress
<%include help_uncompress.html%>
Chmod
<%include help_chmod.html%>
Perl Check
<%include help_perl.html%>Tail
<%include help_tail.html%>Diff
<%include help_diff.html%>After selecting one or more files, selecting the "Print" link will open a window displaying a preview of the file's printed appearance, as well as your regular print window. If you select multiple files to be printed, you will be given the option of printing them separately or as one document.