Attachments not in DB

[VirtueTech]

Hello,

I think it would be great if we could move attachments out of the DB so that on my high traffic site it doesn't load the graphic everytime a user views it.

I want it to be cached.

This would be a mod like Kier's custom avatar mod.

[tubedogg]

There are some disadvantages to this.

First, if you allow html, php, or other code files (js, asp, etc.), and they weren't stored in the database, they could be executed on your server by clicking the attachment link. This could be devastating if someone knew what they were doing.

Well I guess that's really the only disadvantage I can think of (I thought there were others...) but that's a pretty major one in my book.

[VirtueTech]

I would only be using it for jpg's anf gif's

Think you can do it?

[TechTalk]

This is a much needed feature. I for the life of me cant understand the point of filling our databases with images.

My db size is roughly 15megs and I have 50 members

[Wayne Luke]

Attachments aren't just for images. In my opinion, you don't even need attachments for that you can use the image tag but I digress.

If someone allows attachments of PHP, HTML or Javascript files which would be very handy on my board, it would be a big security risk to store these in a web accessible area on your site.

[SpankMe]

Well looks like we need separate attachment code just for images. My forums also use attachments heavily. The attachment table is 55Meg and growing. I run my server over a 128k ADSL line and this problem with image attachments not being cached is a real bandwidth sucker

[Wayne Luke]

use the [img] BBCode instead.

[SpankMe]

The problem with using [img] or <img> tags is that the user has to put the image on the web somewhere and most free web space providers don't allow images on their space to be displayed on other web sites.

Allowing them to store the image on my server guarantees them that the image will always be there.

[Jawelin]

Hi. I would renew the request with a little security option:
there should be a pseudo-automated way to edit (by Admin, for example) any post with attachments to store individually the attached files onto the server, redirecting the link from db to url.
Everything in an interactive way, so I could - for instance - check the attached file nature and store it on a web-server only if safe...

Another problem should be to save an attachment out of the DB directly (automatically) to the server which hosts the DB itself in a configurable directory....

What do you (ALL OF YOU) think about ?

Thanks a lot.
Happy new year!

[Martz]

How easy would it be have the attachments stored in another database, for example on a remote server. Attachments are as much of a priority for me, mySQL space on a high performance (shared) server isloads of $£$£$ - I have cheaper mySQL space I can use remotely.

HTH, I was going to make a new thread about this.. if anyone else is interested in this I would appreciate any feedback.