Who downloaded my file?

[iffikhan]

Hey All. Here is the thing, is it possible if someone downloads a file from my site & i ll get the report who downloaded it. Keeping in mind that I ll be using wordpress with cms and i will not host the files on my server i will be hosting it on hotfile and i will only provide the links on my site. For e.g

if there are 50 people and i will be providing a single file to all of them, how can i know who downloaded my file again keeping it mind i am using wordpress

So i need your ideas and suggestion. Any possibility in your mind i know there are many bright sparks over here. Counting on you Champs. Thanks


P.S. Hotfile doesn't count my country downloads & this has nothing to do with warez !

Extra : There are approx. 50 clients of mine therefore these 50 ve there own ids and pass,for eg. if Mr. A from these 50, downloads a file i ll get a report like something or at least i ll know that Mr. A has successfully downloaded the file.

[Demaestro]

Instead of linking the file, make a link that does a hit to your server, records the click, then redirects the user to the file.

So instead of

<a href="example.com/fileName">File</a>

You want

<a href="/request_file.php?fileName=fileName">File</a>

Then in request_file.php you can write code that will record info about the click (cookie, ip, whatever) in a db or a flat file. Then once recorded redirect the user to the file

[edited by: Demaestro at 7:45 pm (utc) on Sep 28, 2010]

[iffikhan]

can u please elaborate more

[iffikhan]

how would i know if he downloaded it or not

[Demaestro]

how would i know if he downloaded it or not

Well you can only tell if a file was completely downloaded by someone if you are hosting the file.

All you will know is they clicked the link to download it, but unless you host the files that is all you will know unless hotfile gives you a way.

[Demaestro]

The pseudo code looks like this:

-Get name of file from query string

-Get info about the request, ie auth cookies, ip address or whatever info you need

-Record info in file or databse

-Redirect user to file on hotlink.

[iffikhan]

hmm. i hope there is some sort of script available. i know one plugin download monitor 3 but i vent used it yet

[Demaestro]

Are you not able to code PHP?

It is a pretty basic script, because of how specific your requirements are I doubt you will find a script that will do this 'out of the box'.

[iffikhan]

nope :(

[Demaestro]

Your best bet is to contact hotlink and ask what type of reporting tools they offer.

[kennyisnotdead]

Your only solution is a custom page that would use a cookie or url and would record the info in a db or email it to you.

if that is to much, go with [goo.gl...] it will track how many times people have used the link or use a request form and then you can send out the form to the person.

Another solution: if you have a marketing platform like Eloqua you can create triggers and have it do it all for you after they submit a form and it will email it to them.

With GA you can install GAaddons and it will auto track all links to pdfs and other file types. Your using an external host for the file so it would be tracked an external link in GA with this addon.

[cuiyj]

You need a web log analysis tool, e.g. awstat