Attachments Bulk download & reupload

[Cibulo]

Hello, I just switched from phpbb to vb, which I must say is really *amazing*, so far I am totally satisfied for what I've paid.
Anyhow, now I've got an issue, and could be a big one for me.
On my board many people that are not PC experts upload unoptimized images, as heavy as 250kb each. I do not want to prevent them to upload them as they are a great part of my board content and people like that.
When I used phpbb I used to periodically optimize myself all those images, it was a pretty easy task as downloaded a full backup from cpanel, search for the files directory, optimized them with a batch automated process, and then upload again in the same folder overwriting them.
On about 4000 files this saved me more than 300 megs of space in comparison to the original size of the files uploaded by members.

Now, importing to Vb the attachments seemed easy and I can see all of them on my new wb installation.
In the next months people will go on uploading unoptimized attachments which affects both my bandwith and webspace usage.
I logged in via FTP to see the files directory, but there is a strange tree directory, which as far as I have understood reflects folders by userid number, which is split up.
Does this means that now I cannot do anymore what I did before with phpbb?
It would be a big problem for me as I would run out of space for sure in some months
I hope someone will be so polite to help me understand this.

[BigJohnny]

there is an option to automatically resize images that are larger than the allowed size, in the admincp either in "vbulletin options" ...... i cant remember what the exact option group is though.

This way, when a user uploads a file that is 250kb, and 400x400, and your allowed size is set to 20kb and 250x250, vbulletin will automatically resize the users image to fit those parameters.

Which saves YOU a TON of time having to mess with download, resizing, reuploading etc.....
scratch this task off your list of things to do, and use the time for something else.

welcome to the wonderful world of vbulletin

[Cibulo]

first of all thanks for replying!
The feature you name is surely interesting but I am not sure it will solve my problems.
I do not need to resize in dimensions, just to optimize the weight of each image given his original size.
Can I still get my problem solved? :surprised:

[BigJohnny]

ya, if the user uploads a file that is 250KB, and your max allowed size is 50KB, it will resize it.....

I have to be honest, im only half sure it changes the actual size....but im pretty sure it does.

i am 100% certain that it does change the size if its too big.

otherwise, it will simply tell the user "the attachment you have upload exceeds the maximum allowed file size" and the user simply wont be allowed to upload that file until it is the correct size.

[Cibulo]

Originally Posted by BigJohnny

ya, if the user uploads a file that is 250KB, and your max allowed size is 50KB, it will resize it.....

I have to be honest, im only half sure it changes the actual size....but im pretty sure it does.

i am 100% certain that it does change the size if its too big.

otherwise, it will simply tell the user "the attachment you have upload exceeds the maximum allowed file size" and the user simply wont be allowed to upload that file until it is the correct size.

And if I would like to manually backup all attachments? :hurt:

[BigJohnny]

im pretty sure there is also an option to store all of the attachments and avatars(seperate options) in the file system instead of the database.

again, not sure if this is an option or a manual task or both.

im sorry im not much help, i know the stuff is there, but i dont use those options and dont really remember where exactly they are located

i belive it is both an option, and a task you can do manually to move the attachments and avatars out of the database and into the file system so you could back them up.

there are also some options you can access through debug mode as to how and where they are stored..... but these are not to be toyed with until you know whats going on, or have some professional help.