I cannot believe how many times I’ve wanted this extension.
Normally, if I want to attach an image file, I use Explorer to find the actual image to use as I can’t stand the Open File dialog. Or the chances are the folder is already open because you were just working on it.
One great Windows feature is the ability to drag a file from Explorer and drop it into an application to open it. I use this a few dozen times each day – in fact it’s about the only time I ever use drag and drop. I can’t be bothered to work out Explorer’s wierd behavior to decide whether you want to move or copy a file.
Dragdropupload for Firefox makes it really easy to upload files to the internet. You can drop an image straight onto the file upload box of Imageshack rather than using the Open File… dialog and trying to find your image.
Drop files into attachment boxes instead of browse for them or type in the filename. Drop multiple files and fill all the entries. In some websites it allows to add new upload files: in Gmail is possible to drop the files directly over the "Attach a file" link.
Another fantastic thing is if there are two file fields, you can drag and drop two files at once – the extension will populate them both!
This is the kind of thing which should be built into Firefox. It’s a small change and is non-intrusive and it makes it so much easier and pleasant to use the browser.
Explorer’s drag&drop behaviour is quite easy:
Move if same drive
Copy if other drive (floppy, harddisk…)
Always move when shift pressed
Always copy when ctrl pressed
That’s it.
xeen
ps: I use this extension as well, but it’s good it’s not built in by default – at least multiple drag&drop. As it allows to drop an unwanted file into a hidden file upload field. However, single drop would be a good idea to include in Firefox by default.
Thanks for the info! The problem with this behaviour is I sometimes don’t know which window is which. There are times where I’ve had a copy of my work on a USB drive and a copy on the hard drive and I’ve edited the wrong version!
I also shouldn’t have to care about the physical location of the data. For example, "My Documents" is stored on the E: drive along with a few programs, browser profiles, etc. Some of my videos are stored on the C: drive and my web development server takes data from C:. The drag and drop behavior means I have to physically think about where the data is stored and what Windows will do so I end up just using Cut/Copy/Paste.
Actually, it’s very true what you said about hidden upload fields. I never really thought of this in the first place.
I must add that I absolutely love the behaviour in Gmail where you drop on the "Attach a File" link and it adds all the required upload fields for you.
Yep, very useful and maybe the reason to install this extension.
Another tip: If you don’t wanna think which drive your’re moving/copying to just look at the cursor. It will have a + added if its going to be copied. But if that takes you to long, just press shift/ctrl in advance so you really don’t have to think about. But drag&drop in explorer is slow anyway as I hardly ever arrange the windows manually. In any other filemanager (Directory Opus is the one I prefer) this comes in quite handy as drag&drop is really useful if there’re two folder trees and two.. euh.. display parts…
Well, nevermind.
xeen