[ENGINESSQ]

How can I force an MP3 to download from a click on a webpage?

Right now, when the user clicks a link to an MP3 (depending on the browser plug-ins installed, blah blah) the browser will open an embedded MP3 player. I want to force the browser (all browsers) to treat the link as a download only.

The best solution that I can think of to this is something like this link, but it looks like that does not work in all browsers.

Right now, I have the file zipped since .zip extensions tend to force the download prompt but this is an unnecessary step IMO.

My webpages are PHP, so a PHP solution is ideal, especially if it is elegant.

I also do not want to do that "right-click -> Save As..." nonsense either. I really want to somehow link to a page that sets the HTTP content then directs a download to the browser, something like that.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Edit: If you read Matt Farina's post on the link I provided... something like that is desired.

[Pheboasmabs]

You need to change the PHP headers to a different file type.

http://www.ryboe.com/tutorials/php-h...force-download

[Poeetiol]

This is tough, because what you're requesting is actually performed by the browser on the client side. You can write a back-end script and change the header to recognize it as a download file, but even then you still really can't force the client's browser to always obey. If they choose to not always "download" it (or they use something like IE which does whatever it wants), there's really not much you can do.

It's similar with Javascript, you can't really force the client side to use it.

[Pheboasmabs]

This is tough, because what you're requesting is actually performed by the browser on the client side. You can write a back-end script and change the header to recognize it as a download file, but even then you still really can't force the client's browser to always obey. If they choose to not always "download" it (or they use something like IE which does whatever it wants), there's really not much you can do.

It's similar with Javascript, you can't really force the client side to use it.

Good points. I took his question literally (how to treat a link as download only) without considering any of the consequences of default applications being set etc etc etc.

[ENGINESSQ]

You need to change the PHP headers to a different file type.

http://www.ryboe.com/tutorials/php-h...force-download

Ok, as far as structure goes, the site is using WordPress.

Do you have any idea how to implement this in Wordpress?

[Pheboasmabs]

Do you have any idea how to implement this in Wordpress?

No, but Google does...

http://nspeaks.com/656/force-file-do...ad-of-opening/

[ENGINESSQ]

Good points. I took his question literally (how to treat a link as download only) without considering any of the consequences of default applications being set etc etc etc.

You planck. That is the very issue that I want to address.

I want to force the browser (all browsers) to treat the link as a download only.

That "all browsers" part was because IE is a PoS that uses the file extension instead of the content type.

Silver Fox,

I suppose that "best effort" is what I am looking for here. Is there anything that can be done beyond what was already stated?

[Pheboasmabs]

You planck. That is the very issue that I want to address.

I know you mustachioed w**k box. That is what I gave you the link to, but then I remembered (as it was pointed out) that even if you force a download the browser can then apply different behaviour to it.

[ENGINESSQ]

I know you mustachioed w**k box. That is what I gave you the link to, but then I remembered (as it was pointed out) that even if you force a download the browser can then apply different behaviour to it.

Could you please read the original post and get back to me?

[Pheboasmabs]

Could you please read the original post and get back to me?

Are you ****ing high or something? I've given you the answer. Stop messing about and fix it.

[Poeetiol]

I'm afraid not. The best you can really hope for is change the header and cross your fingers the client will get a nice direct download. Majority of users should be good, but there will be a few that will not be getting the result you're trying to accomplish.

[ENGINESSQ]

Are you ****ing high or something?

Yes.

I'm afraid not. The best you can really hope for is change the header and cross your fingers the client will get a nice direct download. Majority of users should be good, but there will be a few that will not be getting the result you're trying to accomplish.

I am trying to use a Wordpress plugin... Useless.

[koebforfrn]

you could hack that behavior in with javascript.. personally i wouldnt bother.
if you find a good solution that works in IE as well, please post it.

if you want *all* mp3 files to be overridden that way i would edit the .htaccess file

or if you only want selected mp3's to be overridden i would use php..
something like the below (but secured, I just hacked that together)

------- save as "forcedownload.php" --------



--------------------------------------------------------

and link to an MP3 using something like
forcedownload.php?file=media/whatever.mp3

you will want to secure this of course, its just hacked together.

[ENGINESSQ]

you could hack that behavior in with javascript.. personally i wouldnt bother.
if you find a good solution that works in IE as well, please post it.

if you want *all* mp3 files to be overridden that way i would edit the .htaccess file

or if you only want selected mp3's to be overridden i would use php..
something like the below (but secured, I just hacked that together)

------- save as "forcedownload.php" --------



--------------------------------------------------------

and link to an MP3 using something like
forcedownload.php?file=media/whatever.mp3

you will want to secure this of course, its just hacked together.

Pretty much what I did. I just went to the backend and injected a PHP file that parses a variable out of the URL then directed an octet stream with had similar content to what you posted. Finally, I changed all of the downloads to include the file name.

Actually, here is the site: http://theprestigiousone.com/music/

[koebforfrn]

good job with that site. impressive

edit - if you wanted to speed up page load a bit, kill off some of the js files like "forcedownload" that you prolly don't need.

could also combine the others into one big JS file, would save some requests. mentioning as i am slightly obsessed with google pagespeed right now...

[AbraroLib]

Do what most people do, write 'To download, right click and select save as' beside the link.

[ENGINESSQ]

good job with that site. impressive

edit - if you wanted to speed up page load a bit, kill off some of the js files like "forcedownload" that you prolly don't need.

could also combine the others into one big JS file, would save some requests. mentioning as i am slightly obsessed with google pagespeed right now...

I have nothing to do with the design of the site. I was "contracted" in (by the artist himself, a personal friend of mine) to fix this problem.