DFP2 - restricting number of downloads

Hi

RE: DFP2 - restricting number of downloads

Couldn't find any instructions in support or forum how to simply restrict the number of times someone can download a file. I've created a database file:

`xID` int(10) NOT NULL auto_increment,
`user_ID` int(50) default NULL,
`filename` varchar(255) default NULL,
`date` timestamp(14) NOT NULL,
`file_count` varchar(255) default NULL,

The download button works. Now just need to restrict the number of times someone can download the file (plus add some error messages to tell them this if they try)....

In the file download server behavior, you can set it to use the file_count column to increment each time the file is downloaded.



you need to create a recordset that checks the file count column:
SELECT * FROM table WHERE xID = 1 AND file_count <= 5


and use the Dreamweaver Show region behavior to show the download link if the recordset is not empty or show the error if the recordset is empty.

Hi Jason, That works really well, but...

We're trying to avoid multiple downloads from one person (someone created a bandwidth bill that nearly bankrupted us!). In the above solution if you don't refresh the browser you can just keep clicking download multiple times. We need it to only be able to download once or maybe twice. Is there a way to do this using the session. Also, can we have how to achieve the error messages. Thanks.

put the download link on one page, have it go to a download page. On the download page, create the recordset and add the download file server behavior.


You can set the download file server behavior to only trigger if the recordset is Not empty. Also add an error to the download page to show if the recordset is empty.

Thanks Jason, that works well.

Is there an easy way to code an auto reset of the count to 0 after a set time (say 24 hours)?

This is referred to as a Cron Job:
introducing-cron



a cron job will run at a set time and can be used to update your database. Simple is a relive term with cron jobs, first your host must support them and you need to be comfortable writing the script.

Thanks. Is it possible for an email to be sent to the site owner when the count reaches a certain number using Universal Email? IE to warn him to reset the counter.

sure, you can use universal email and set the trigger to the recordset being empty.

That is simple and brilliant. Many thanks